Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: Spanky on March 23, 2012, 12:34:06 AM
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Hi guys,
With the 2012 season fast approaching, how do you feel your preparation is going? Have you had any specific areas you have been working on over the winter? Or have you still got areas your trying to work on?
Personally I'm trying to work on developing my attacking options against spin.
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My prep has not been to bad, I have been netting with a county 1 team and my local T20 team so worlds apart. Biggest thing I have been working on is batting, trigger movement used always used to be backing away and I have been working really hard on that.
Just need to get the kettle bell out and start running and I should be ready to go.
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What county 1st team you been netting with? Bet that's a great experience.
I find at group training it can be hard to work on certain areas as you get such a variety of bowling standards.
Over the next few weeks I plan to bring my fitness up ready for the season.
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I've been practising the right arm pint movement, most important and un recognised area of cricket.
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Well as I said in another thread, my season has just wrapped up in what unfortunately turned out to be an unsuccessful grand final :(
Pre-season for me started pretty much the day after the season ended but it's very light stuff at the moment as I am recovering over the next couple of weeks due to no real opportunity to rest during the season (which is a good thing! More games the better IMO)
As I am a pace bowler this pre-season season is going to be based heavily around strength and building a strong core as well as a fair bit of fitness work. (long runs and sprints)
On the whole I am quite happy with my technique at the moment, batting and bowling, a few minor changes but hoping to net a fair bit over the winter.
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We've done loads of netting this winter. 5 sessions in November and another dozen since Jan. On top of that we've been doing bowling machine sessions, working specifically on weak spots with batsman. Effectively netting twice a week for some people. I've personally been working on pulling a fair bit, it's not perfect but getting there. Also upping my aggression levels but the downside is I'm yet to get a perfect batting net, getting bowled twice a session!. Fitness wise I've tried to strengthen my upper body a bit, in response to getting older and more feeble. Now working on increasing the intensity of my cv work so I can run those 3's without gasping for air. Not lost the weight which would of really helped :(
4 Friendlies lined up prior to the first league game and at least 2 indoor + 2 outdoor net sessions including fielding work. No excuses if we don't hit the ground running.
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What county 1st team you been netting with? Bet that's a great experience.
I find at group training it can be hard to work on certain areas as you get such a variety of bowling standards.
Sorry should have said county DIVISION 1 team, but as I have not played for a couple of years it has been a great experience.
Over the next few weeks I plan to bring my fitness up ready for the season.
As for the bowling my T20 team are all over the place but the saturday nets have some great bowlers, just wish i could bat great :(
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uknsaunders sounds like you will be going into the season trully prepared. Nothing worse than starting the season and feeling under prepared.
Wayward bowling can be an issue with my club spinners due to only having one proper spin bowler attend training or you get pace bowlers getting tired and changing to try and bowl spin (key word try).
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Mine's be quite disruptive, I'll get a good few nets under my belt and start feeling as if I'm getting back into the groove of things and then due to other commitments I'll miss a couple of weeks and feel like I'm starting over, almost like 1 step forward two steps back! On the plus side I've finally cracked my stance, I just need to work on getting my feet moveing now!
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I'm trying to get my feet moving but making sure I lead with my head and getting everything inline.
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Mine's be quite disruptive, I'll get a good few nets under my belt and start feeling as if I'm getting back into the groove of things and then due to other commitments I'll miss a couple of weeks and feel like I'm starting over, almost like 1 step forward two steps back! On the plus side I've finally cracked my stance, I just need to work on getting my feet moveing now!
Snap! Work has too much priority! :@
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Snap! Work has too much priority! :@
It's a disgrace, it really should be the other way round! :D
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It's a disgrace, it really should be the other way round! :D
I know, tell me about it! :D
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Been netting with a couple of different teams. Haven't been regularly attending because of other commitments, so not ideal.
Not ideal to join a new club and not be in great form. At least I look the part with all my new gear! :D
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Yeah the TLB gear does look good. The plain minimalist design is appeals to me. Not sure I could cope with the pressure of joining a new club.
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I suppose my pre season this year is better than last years, I hadn't played for 12 years plus and I only had 1 net before I played my first game! Suffice to saymy average for May and June was about 5! :D :-[
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My preseason nets have been good so far batting wise, getting into line more means I can play more shots off the backfoot whereas before I wasn't able to pull/hook as I was in the wrong position!
Bowling hasn't been great up till this weeks session of nets, bowling better lines and lengths with the leggys, hopefully going to develop my straight one/googly a bit more for some variation!
Just need to get fit and loose some timber now! :D
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My pre-season has been brilliant, skiing and sleeping. I will be very well prepared for this season...! ;)
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Yeah the TLB gear does look good. The plain minimalist design is appeals to me. Not sure I could cope with the pressure of joining a new club.
Cheers mate.
A guy I used to play with now plays for the team I'm moving to so it's not bad. Know the majority of the lads just from playing against each other but I know what you mean. Don't want a stinker of a start and end up in the twos.
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Well had first nets last sunday and a knee op today so raring to go ! :D
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Well had first nets last sunday and a knee op today so raring to go ! :D
Ish thats not cool, how long till your able to train???
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Ish thats not cool, how long till your able to train???
Well first game is last weekend of April, which the consultant has said i should be able to play in.
I have done lots of prep leading up to this and have lost 2 1/2 stone since Jan, giving myself every chance.
hoping to be able to start walking a bit of distance by this time next week and then see how it goes from there
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Had my first outdoor net and to be honest my first net over the winter and spring.
Bowled some decent lines and lengths from the off, i am guessing this is like 'beginners luck'.
Batting was slightly rusty, but no edges which is always a bonus. Foot work was near on missing but still seeing the ball well.
The most important thing for me is that i have had no back pain or any stiffness what so ever.
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Going well for me, 8 weeks into our 10 weeks of indoor new with Gloucestershire cc indoor facilities. Iv also been playing the odd game of indoor cricket and come up against a few of the Bristol boys on the forum :)
Difficult to keep enthusiasm high when you are in and around cricket 24/7 for 7 days a week all year round but really looking forward to ore-season friendliest that start in Aprl :)
If I can carry last seasons form on too I'll be very happy but ith a house move and wedding to keep me busy it could be a tricky task ???
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Hmmm. From a personal point of view I haven't been good, batting like a (No Swearing Please) in nets although I've only been bowled twice which was this week, one that rolled and a horrible slog when I lost the will to live.
I want to shoulder the blame but the facilities we have are far from helpful. I've moaned about them before but they're not really beneficial to batsmen. When it comes to my bowling I just bowl seam up most of the time due to the numbers we get at nets. We have just two lanes and have between 25-35 people turning up meaning an individual bowls one ball every 5 minutes and I can't bring myself to bowl spin as I can't get into a rhythm or set up a batsman so just tend to bowl a line for the benefit of a batsman.
Not expecting much early season from myself, my spin bowling is hopeless and I seriously need to get back into disciplined batting. Hoping to go to a neighbouring club who my friend plays for and go on the bowling machine with him for a good few hours.
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Hmmm. From a personal point of view I haven't been good, batting like a (No Swearing Please) in nets although I've only been bowled twice which was this week, one that rolled and a horrible slog when I lost the will to live.
I want to shoulder the blame but the facilities we have are far from helpful. I've moaned about them before but they're not really beneficial to batsmen. When it comes to my bowling I just bowl seam up most of the time due to the numbers we get at nets. We have just two lanes and have between 25-35 people turning up meaning an individual bowls one ball every 5 minutes and I can't bring myself to bowl spin as I can't get into a rhythm or set up a batsman so just tend to bowl a line for the benefit of a batsman.
Not expecting much early season from myself, my spin bowling is hopeless and I seriously need to get back into disciplined batting. Hoping to go to a neighbouring club who my friend plays for and go on the bowling machine with him for a good few hours.
Wish we had your problem of too many turning up. Was a shambles last year, had about 8 players from 1st and 2nds turning up all together.
''Apparently'' it is going to change this year. See it to believe it.
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We had that the last few years, about 10-15 3rds and 4ths turning up. Preferred that to be honest.
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Not brilliant at min bowling going well so I'm told but not hitting ball right as not comfortable but it will come
Batoff helped as was not hitting it right then but started to come together from vid I've seen
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Mine's not been too bad. As long as I keep my head when I'm batting it's okay, but I do get bored with some of the tripe being bowled and have a slog.
Bowling's been fun though... seams nicely off the matting and has generated lots of fun...
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Going well for me, I have been netting consistently since xmas so if I don't get runs this season I'm not going to be happy
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Glad to hear everyone is feeling in good touch. Anyone had any areas they have improved on? If so any specific exercises or drills that have helped you improve?
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Only had one brief knock and that was over a month ago against those yellow indoor balls that swing round corners. Since then I've been struggling with a knee injury so I haven't been to any nets as I didn't want to put my running of the Brighton marathon in April at risk.
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Hmm, going okay, not brilliant, first few sessions were brilliant from a batting point of view but they have been fairly crap for the past couple of weeks, bowling is going well though, consistent line and length and getting some ripping turn which is always good :)
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Had my best preseason net so far today :) no play and misses and was seeing the ball really well off all the bowlers then in a rare attempt at bowling nearly managed to take our 1st team skippers head off with a cheeky edge of the matt bouncer!
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Well, I managed to have my first net in 2 1/2 weeks today, quite happy with how it went, although I did get a few inside edges, it would seem I'm taking a step forward and then playing my shot! Something to sort out on Tuesday!
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Had my first 2 outdoor nets this weekend.
Both went pretty well apart from being hit in the chest by an 80mph bouncer.
Just need to work on getting my feet moving early on and a couple of other things in time for the season.
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Had a 'net' tonight. Friggin cold! could hardly release the ball. Had a 10 minute bat in really bad light with some nice dark trees in the background. All in all, a pretty unproductive net.
On a better note, got to see a whole range of decent looking bats and softs brought over by Canners. Got to start saving i do think! If i was to stop smoking i would be able to buy one in no time
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Disastrously.. first net last week with only 2 of us showing in freezing weather and intermittent spitting rain but got the bowling machine out and did well considering it was my first outing with 2 new bats and the woodstock felt so much better so very happy..then today, pouring down with rain and I went through the awful traffic from work to get there.. no show from anyone else so went through more traffic to get home...gutted as off on holiday for a week so missing next net session and first t20 match on the 21st against our biggest rivals so probably only one more net session.. hardly ideal preparation so far...
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Few weeks ago we discovered grass killer had been applied to the majority of our square so now, a brown sorry looking square is what we have to look forward to. Yay
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I heard about that Colesy, shocking stuff. How bad is it and do they have any idea who it was?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00q1p8n/Terry_Baxter_04_04_2012/
if anyone is interested, 52 mins in is our groundsman talking about hose pipe bans and all that fun interesting stuff
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I heard about that Colesy, shocking stuff. How bad is it and do they have any idea who it was?
I don't know too much about who did it or why. It's pretty bad with like 6/9 wickets being done, first league game will be interesting. The weather will play a big part in the grass growth
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That's pretty devastating mate, hope you manage to recover a decent amount
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Me too, can't be doing with playing on a dustbowl again. Our groundsman is, to put it politely, useless.
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At a guess, i think you may have to possibly have to flood the square, try to wash out and dilute the grass killing solution used. Screed the whole square, re-seed the whole lot and fingers crossed the grass can grow and the poison used can be washed out. Grass netting maybe be needed to stop birds from taking. The process can take about a month with decent weather and fertilizer.
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I don't know what is planned for our square as the council sub-contract groundsmen. I believe our current groundsman will be our ex-groundsman pretty soon if not already as he didn't have much of a clue, not repairing footholes, chucking grass seed down on a rock solid surface etc.
If the discussion comes up then I will certainly bring up your advice, thanks for that.
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I heard you had an ECB ground consultant coming in to help you out with it Colesy but that may just be Chinese whispers
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Hope it all goes well colesy
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I heard you had an ECB ground consultant coming in to help you out with it Colesy but that may just be Chinese whispers
Haven't heard this one, could be true I missed last night's committee meeting and (supposed to) have nets tomorrow night.
Hope it all goes well colesy
Thanks mate
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Seņor cordy seņor dicko said ur planning the stag doooo to Cardiff in Sept so I'm apparently doing the trial run for u it seems.....it's gonna cost u hairybo!
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Ha yea Jimmy was pleased you could do a dry run for us, hope the presentation evening went well. I'll send you what my mate suggested for Cardiff tomorrow
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Yeh sounds good from what iv been told but best laid plans and all that....
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Taz, how's the Bradbury going? My new Laver & Wood is due for despatch next week so will post pictures when it arrives. It's a Special Reserve Ultra so it wont be pretty, but hopefully it will be effective!
My pre-season has been hampered by a nagging calf strain, going to see a podiatrist in Yorkshire next week to have 'gait analysis'...with a view to specialist orthotics. Of course, it could just be that I'm 44!
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My Pre-season prep has been alright, I've had a couple of Bowling Machine nets over the winter working on cutting and pulling, but have only been having the occasional net as of late.
First match is next Thursday which should be an interesting affair! :)
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Taz, how's the Bradbury going? My new Laver & Wood is due for despatch next week so will post pictures when it arrives. It's a Special Reserve Ultra so it wont be pretty, but hopefully it will be effective!
My pre-season has been hampered by a nagging calf strain, going to see a podiatrist in Yorkshire next week to have 'gait analysis'...with a view to specialist orthotics. Of course, it could just be that I'm 44!
Hey Pete.. the Bradbury is great but I think will take time to get the best from it.. it'll just get better and better. If you've read my earlier post I've only managed one short net session but it was enough to differentiate between the two.
However, there lies the problem.. my Woodstock feels perfect now so I've offered to sell the Brad to our team Captain who has one in awful condition but is heavier and not quite as good pick-up for a similar profile. I'm a bit of a mug really as selling it for virtually what I paid you and not including all the work (cleaning and knockin' in) and grips etc but again I'd rather see it used this season and to good effect.
Actually I really have been taken by all the great reviews about the SAF Hades and considering purchasing one if I sell on a couple more bats. Let me know about your Laver though once it arrives and you've had a few sessions..
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oh and by the way Pete.. I'm 42 so know how much longer injuries take to clear up e.g. my back but have been working on core muscles so feel good and will hopefully help with my batting too... Hope ur injury clears up soon before the season starts proper....
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Had our second outdoor net today. Bit cold and spitting, but considering it was snowing 48 hours before the track played pretty well. No pace or bounce but was coming on enough to play shots. Our first friendly is tomorrow and weather permitting should prove a good test of our new players.
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Little update on our square, no games to be played on a grass wicket until May. So if we have a friendly against you in April, pack your rubbers.
Hopefully it will be back to normal end of May/early June, but not looking forward to the possibility of opening for the 1s 1st league game of the season on it.
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We've got our first 'game' today - interclub friendly between 1st & 2nd team. Generally we put all the 1st team bats with the 2nd team bowlers, and the 2nd team bats with 1st bowlers. Usually makes for a good competetive game.
Just hoping the weather holds out as its looking a bit grimm at the moment.
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Had the first proper pre season since I was a Junior because I've moved clubs. My bowling isn't exactly where I want it to be doesn't feel like its coming out right but I'll blame that on the shortened run up of being indoors but My batting has felt fantastic, best I've felt for years. Outdoor nets start this week but the weather forecast doesn't look promising.
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Hey Taz
I'm impressed with the core fitness work, I do a fair bit of that as a keeper and it makes a big difference to both keeping and batting. It sounds like the Brad is going to be moved on, but I agree that it deserves to be used and if your skip can use it as his number one bat then that's a good thing, despite all the work you've put into it.
The Laver is due to be sent out next week, so hopefully it will be what I'm expecting pick up and ping wise, will keep you posted.
I'm hopefuly my calf clears up before the end of April, if the podiatrist session goes well then I'll get some orthotics fitted next week and then I can press on with getting fit! Nets are going well and I'm very excited about the start of the season.
Good luck with your first match.
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Just had my first outdoor net of the season, batted well, middling all my 'timed' shots. Last ball of the net session got a yorker and broke my bat.
>:(
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First pre season today, first friendly.
We played a team from the South Wales Premier, the league above us. It was damp and miserable and they ended their innings on 154/6 which was revised to give us a 30 over target of 180 by DL. Keeping was tidy, no chances and one bye.
Then I was stunned to be asked to open the batting as I'm a 2nd team player playing in the 1s. Still I did my best, but was beaten by a good ball that seemed back from off stump line to hit leg. Our lads did well tho and we got to 152/5 at close.
Enjoyable start, more tomorrow!
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Just had my first outdoor net of the season, batted well, middling all my 'timed' shots. Last ball of the net session got a yorker and broke my bat.
>:(
Nightmare! How bad is it and what's the plan batwise now??
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It's a standard split taking part of the corner out. Could glue and clam pit but as I've not always been keen on it and it's under warranty I'll take it back to Globe and see if they have any Nice GM Halos
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So is everyone feeling prepared for the season? Personally feel a bit under prepared fielding wise.
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out for 4 months with a broken wrist :(
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Broken wrist? 4 months? That seems like a long recovery time to me..........did you snap it clean off? :D
I did mine in November.......2 months was all it took although it still aches a bit even now...
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Sorry to hear about the wrist. How you manage that? Cricket related injury or off season boredom related injury?
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I'm feeling very good at the moment, I have been batting as much as I can. My defense is solid, my shOt selection is better than it has been in previous seasons too.
Let's hope my endless hours of coaching has paid off!
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Only had 2 net sessions in which my bat of choice of the season got a split toe on the outer edge.
Went to Dresden to play a T20 on Saturday and 40 overs on the Sunday... lost both friendlies but it was more our own batting and lack of ability to catch!!! I felt good on the Saturday on a very good artificial wicket but strayed to a middle guard and was given lbw when on 5 and on Sunday saw the opening fast bowlers out and got caught in the deep off a spinner when on 21. Felt good to get time in the middle.. gutted about my bat which will cost 70 odd quid with return postage to prague, but I think worth it although Colesy doesn't believe in it.. might start a thread on it...
Looking forward to Saturday's T20 though... gorgeous hot weather here in Central Europe...
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Been in the nets twice a week and started to go to the gym at work on my lunch breaks now, next week the wife has ordered me to go running with her so my progress is moving in the right direction.. just wish it would stop raining for 5 months...
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So how is everyone's preparations going for the 2014 season?
What will you guys be working on and what targets do you have for the season?
Personally I hope to work on my back foot play (pulls & cuts) and my cover drives. My targets are too be more consistent with my scores, currently I have a habit of following a good innings one week with a poor innings the next.
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I'm currently stuck on deciding which pair of pads to wear. Kook Kahuna Players or GN Quantum Elites, both nice and brand new but I don't know which I prefer.
Also targets this year personally, minimum of 500 runs at the very least which isn't a huge amount I'm sure to some of you, but will be a challenge on some of the tracks we will play on. Ideally I'd like 700+ but 500 is the first target Batting for long periods of time if I decide to open the batting or at 3. So if I bat through the innings I would make a ton every week the way I bat.
As a team and as Captain, I am looking to win the title, big challenge in my first year back at the club and as captain, but a realistic one.
Ensure we have good turnouts at weekly training, and organised sessions delivered by myself, I want to notice an improvement in all players abilities. They all have decent basic skills if not a little rough round the edges, so a good base to start from.
Set up an online club shop for players clothing.
Just cant wait for the season to begin.
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Working on batting against 75-80mph with good length ball and 70mph with short ball, preparing well with bowling too, cant wait for next season..
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Spent a lot of time in the gym and the results are showing nicely. Nets start next Saturday and I hope to learn how to bowl an out swinging delivery to a right hander as well as working on hitting yorker length 4 out of 6 balls. As for batting I need to work on driving.
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Hit the gym fairly hard in Oct-Nov, had a faitly lazy/unhealthy december, and back at it now. Had a few gentle throw down on wednesday and first indoor net tonight. Going to be in pain all weekend.
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Ruined!
Played indoor cricket sept to November, then switched to indoor nets. Feeling good, felt well. Had physio on my dodgy knee, so that was strengthening and feeling good. Then....
Ruptured my spleen, been a month of hospital then laying in bed doing nothing. Official nets start on wed. And I can't even have a shower without being out of breathe.
It's gonna be a hard season.
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That sucks Smilley. Hope you recover quickly and the season stays dry to make it all worth while.
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Torn my knee cartilage in 2 places so not going quite to plan at the minute awaiting my op date, but still trying out in the nets.
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All admin, no actual cricket!
Picking up a bat for the first time since the end of the 2013 season for an indoor game on Tuesday, hopefully I remember which end to hold
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Hope you recover in time for the season smilley, did you once mention that you play for hollinsend in Sheffield? I play for telecoms and we're joining the yorks and Derbyshire league in div c so I'm not sure if trees any chance we could meet you in a cup.
As for my pre season, nets don't start until mid feb so I'm currently trying to lose a bit of Xmas weight. I lost about 17kg last year after trying to be healthier from March onwards but put a couple back on over Xmas. Now I've lost the weight I have to get fit so I'll be walking a lot and starting kettlercise again. Also going to start doing regular daily 4 tent pegs as recommended by Ian pont as I want to bowl regularly after playing as a batsman mainly (used to bowl and bat 11 when I was younger).
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Hope you recover in time for the season smilley, did you once mention that you play for hollinsend in Sheffield? I play for telecoms and we're joining the yorks and Derbyshire league in div c so I'm not sure if trees any chance we could meet you in a cup.
As for my pre season, nets don't start until mid feb so I'm currently trying to lose a bit of Xmas weight. I lost about 17kg last year after trying to be healthier from March onwards but put a couple back on over Xmas. Now I've lost the weight I have to get fit so I'll be walking a lot and starting kettlercise again. Also going to start doing regular daily 4 tent pegs as recommended by Ian pont as I want to bowl regularly after playing as a batsman mainly (used to bowl and bat 11 when I was younger).
I do indeed. I play for first who are div A. So you won't see me, but our seconds who are div B, should be in your cup comp with the way our competition works. (16 sides in each comp, so all from A plus 4 from B in one cup, rest from B and 8from C etc etc)
Welcome to our league, a nice addition, I used to play at telecom when a youth, while at a now folded club bayfield. We are also in the same league as you for midweek(Sheffield midweek alliance) our 1st played you in that few seasons again as we made our way up league, not sure if you played our seconds or not last year though. Can't remember.
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I didn't play midweek for telecoms last season as I was playing for HSBC. I've swapped this year so I will be playing for telecoms.
I think we'll be in division b of the midweek league but you'll still be one above us.
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My daughter had a 1 on 1 bowling session with Steffan Jones last night as part of her EPP with Somerset. One of the best bowling coaches around and showed here some great things to work on. Just wish I was 20 years younger as also picked up a few things from just watching.
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Prep going well - I've perfected the cheese & chutney vol au vents and I've pickled some stunning onions - however, I'm having some problems getting my coffee and walnut muffins to rise properly