Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: tim2000s on May 25, 2012, 09:37:28 AM
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All clubs have them. Guys who turn up to nets week in and week out, are willing to spend 50 overs in the field without so much as a sniff of bowling and who seem to be happy to bat at number 8, but when they do rarely score runs.
What do you do to keep these guys interested, as they are great when you have a fallow patch with people on holiday...
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The beers after the game
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Ours is the resident wind up. There job is to chirp away all day long. He's become rather good at it!
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We have a code for players like that! When our team sheet goes out to the captain our selector writes the players strengths and weaknesses next to their names. Things like LHB, strong arm, bowls medium-fast....etc. For the type of players you mention here it is simply......."Loves the game"!!!
Players like this are massively important so it's important to try to give them as many opportunities as possible. Without them the club dies..to a smallish club enthusiasm is more important than talent...
We can all big ourselves up about a 'big game' coming up and what a high level we play at but the simple fact is that if you are over 18 and haven't been near a county setup the chances are you are only EVER going to be playing for fun! It's not much fun with only 8 players though is it.......these guys are so important.
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Top answer that. It's the same for all sports.
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Number one - remind yourself that you are very lucky to have them (especially as they rarely, if ever, moan)! This will communicate itself to them and they may actually contribute more.
Two - don't expect the impossible - if they seldom get to bat it's not their fault that they couldn't save the game for you.
Three - a piece of advice I was given many years ago about cricket, and it proved to be true. 'Every dog has its day.' As an example, one of these fill in players, who had never ever reached double figures with the bat, went in against a seemingly unplayable attack and cracked 90-odd not out. OK next week it was back to normal, but on that day it was back to point number 1.
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Watch what you're saying guys, you're talking about me :D, so far so good!!! :D :D :D
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Trypewriter is right in what he says with every dog has his day. Our Mr. Enthusiam is one of the colts dads who played one day as we were short and has loved it ever since. He knows that he isn't the most gifted of players but turns out every sunday just for the love of the game and the banter. Last year he got a 5 for and I don't think there was one person that wasn't genuinely pleased for him.
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- Charlie - I class myself in this category too!
One thought, although these guys rarely moan, it can become problematic if they suddenly do find a bit of form (with the bat) which coincides in a dip of form for one of the stalwarts, and you have to leave someone out. I well remember being passed over in these circumstances, the skipper saying that 'X' had looked in good nick. I pointed out that he'd only scored five - yes, but it was a good five, was the reply that I got. :D
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- Charlie - I class myself in this category too!
One thought, although these guys rarely moan, it can become problematic if they suddenly do find a bit of form (with the bat) which coincides in a dip of form for one of the stalwarts, and you have to leave someone out. I well remember being passed over in these circumstances, the skipper saying that 'X' had looked in good nick. I pointed out that he'd only scored five - yes, but it was a good five, was the reply that I got. :D
That doesn't sound like a problem to me at all! As long as it's justified!
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I think the bit that annoys me is when you have 7 sides out on a weekend (5 Sat 2 Sun), and you don't get a game on either day, whilst others play on both >:(.
It happened a couple of times last season and it's happened again this weekend, I will always be the first to admit that I will never be a great cricketer, but I've done more than enough to earn myself a place in the 5th XI and proven that I can hold my own in the 3's and 4's. I also find it particularly galling when you have been netting since January and someone just pitches up and walks straight into your spot on past reputation alone.
Having said that I did vent my anger at the Chariman of Cricket last night and should now be playing on Sunday, not his fault he was away on business when selection took place!!!
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That I agree with :)
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Good answers there guys. Most of us do play purely for fun (when we're winning anyway!) so these kind of players are vital to smaller clubs especially.
Anyone who has ever skippered a side and has someone who is willing to throw themselves around in the field and is not bothered whether they bat or bowl will appreciate them tenfold!
Any chance for these guys to have a hit or a few overs chuck them in - cup games, dead rubbers, tour matches.
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I think the bit that annoys me is when you have 7 sides out on a weekend (5 Sat 2 Sun), and you don't get a game on either day, whilst others play on both >:(.
It happened a couple of times last season and it's happened again this weekend, I will always be the first to admit that I will never be a great cricketer, but I've done more than enough to earn myself a place in the 5th XI and proven that I can hold my own in the 3's and 4's. I also find it particularly galling when you have been netting since January and someone just pitches up and walks straight into your spot on past reputation alone.
Having said that I did vent my anger at the Chariman of Cricket last night and should now be playing on Sunday, not his fault he was away on business when selection took place!!!
Change club. So many clubs are struggling for players that any number would be grateful to have you play both days. We, as a club, promise to give guys a game over the course of a weekend or week (if a suitable t20 friendly is available) and it keeps most guys on board. We're mindful of guys who help out at a moments notice or aren't the greatest players - and they deserve a game as much as the next superstar.
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I think one of the key things is that we aren't talking 1st XI here - goodness - some guys create if they have to drop down to the seconds for a game or two! I suppose most selection arguments revolve around the old adage that 'class is permanent, form is temporary.' As a very 'plinky-plonky' player, I have to take my hat off to the team skippers - it really can be a thankless task. I can speak from experience on that one when I very reluctantly had to fill in. I didn't change - but the dressing room did! ;)
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having been a 3rd XI skipper, it get's tougher the further down the food chain you get. Captains jobs in 3/4/5th teams are thankless as 1 idiot cries off on Saturday in the 1s and it goes right through the teams until the last captain has to rustle up a player or play with 10. I've had my 2nd XI captain ring me on a friday night to say "I need 4"!.
Guys that kick-off because they've been dropped to another team get on my nerves. Most of the time they are clearly deluded about how good they are and the wasted opportunities they've had. Always somebody elses fault. Quite often they fail when dropped, which is even funnier.
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I think the bit that annoys me is when you have 7 sides out on a weekend (5 Sat 2 Sun), and you don't get a game on either day, whilst others play on both >:(.
It happened a couple of times last season and it's happened again this weekend, I will always be the first to admit that I will never be a great cricketer, but I've done more than enough to earn myself a place in the 5th XI and proven that I can hold my own in the 3's and 4's. I also find it particularly galling when you have been netting since January and someone just pitches up and walks straight into your spot on past reputation alone.
Having said that I did vent my anger at the Chariman of Cricket last night and should now be playing on Sunday, not his fault he was away on business when selection took place!!!
Charlie, I thought the sort of blokes being discussed were those that didnt complain... :) I think we should all admit that enthusiasm and success go hand in hand; I dont know too many over eager losers! I suppose Im saying that I wouldnt want to be on the selection commitee - tough juggling act!
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Change club. So many clubs are struggling for players that any number would be grateful to have you play both days. We, as a club, promise to give guys a game over the course of a weekend or week (if a suitable t20 friendly is available) and it keeps most guys on board. We're mindful of guys who help out at a moments notice or aren't the greatest players - and they deserve a game as much as the next superstar.
I'd consider it if I had been around for a bit longer, but I'm only in my 2nd season after 15 years not playing. Last season was very much getting back into it, whereas this season is really working on improving my game (getting my run rate up and adding more shots). I can understand to a certain point some of the decisions that get made at selection, but this weekends really no swearing please me off considering we have 11 guys playing on both days! On the happy side I now have a game on Sunday!
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selection committees suck - at our place, where in fairness things are a thousand times bettr than they were a decade ago, we started the season with a second XI that had five decent pace bowlers, three spinners and batted down to ten and a first XI that would have finished comfortably second to them. Thankfully, our Ones skipper has taken some of that on board and thinned out our resources somewhat!
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Re: quite often they fail - very true - and then it is definitely someone else's fault! ;) I always found that a bit strange, because on the odd occasions that I was drafted in to play above my level - and naturally struggled - when I did return to something more suited to my ability I found it a darned sight easier.
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One- Banter
Two- spending time with your best mates on a Saturday or Sunday
Three- teas
Four- enjoyment of the sport
Five- character building (abusing each other)
Six- beers and night out
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Charlie, I thought the sort of blokes being discussed were those that didnt complain... :) I think we should all admit that enthusiasm and success go hand in hand; I dont know too many over eager losers! I suppose Im saying that I wouldnt want to be on the selection commitee - tough juggling act!
I know, I know, and I don't mean it to come across as complaining!!!
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We always aim to pick to balanced sides. No point the 1s having 9 batsman and the 2's having 3. Everybody plays for fun and having a paranoid captain would wreck a game for 11 guys. Seen it as my time as a 3rd team captain. The 2nd XI skipper berated me for him only having 6 or 7 batsman lol!
charlie15 - you don't improve if you don't play. Good to hear you have a game now but the circumstances smack of a dropout and as sensible as you are you're not getting the right consideration. When I moved up north I moved club after a season as it wasn't working. Haven't regretted it.
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Re: quite often they fail - very true - and then it is definitely someone else's fault! ;) I always found that a bit strange, because on the odd occasions that I was drafted in to play above my level - and naturally struggled - when I did return to something more suited to my ability I found it a darned sight easier.
I agree with this and I think teams should net and train together for this reason. We have blokes in our 2nd and 3rd team who find the opening bowler's in their league's pretty easy to face because they net against first teamers.
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I know, I know, and I don't mean it to come across as complaining!!!
Im only mucking around mate; it is hugely frustrating when you wait all week and then dont get a game! I think the balance of a 'big' club is to have the strongest possible 1st and probably 2nd eleven and then make sure that everyone below that, who wants a game, gets one!
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One- Banter
Two- spending time with your best mates on a Saturday or Sunday
Three- teas
Four- enjoyment of the sport
Five- character building (abusing each other)
Six- beers and night out
Mate, you can come and play for my side anytime.....perfect attitude! :D
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One- Banter
Two- spending time with your best mates on a Saturday or Sunday
Three- teas
Four- enjoyment of the sport
Five- character building (abusing each other)
Six- beers and night out
Id have to say... Teas would be higher than 3 for me!
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I think by the number of responses so far, that this thread is a good 'un. It has prompted guys to say the un-sayable - and maybe goes to prove that cricket 'club culture' (and I'm saying that without having a pop) is pretty universal. Our skipper often gets the call 'from above' to provide players at short notice which causes him big problems, but rather than feel sorry for himself he feels sorry for the players who have to step up: 'they won't get a bowl and they'll only get a bat under circumstances where they are almost certain to fail - how are they going to enjoy it?' is his view.
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We've tried, where possible, to only bring guys up to do something. This week, we've promoted a top order batsman from the 2's into the 1's. He will bat in the top order in the 1s. We're lucky in as much as we are still playing a level below our abilities (we had to start in a the bottom division of our league) and can let guys step up, knowing others will take the strain if they fail. Being a young club we don't have too many preconceived ideas.
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I think by the number of responses so far, that this thread is a good 'un. It has prompted guys to say the un-sayable - and maybe goes to prove that cricket 'club culture' (and I'm saying that without having a pop) is pretty universal. Our skipper often gets the call 'from above' to provide players at short notice which causes him big problems, but rather than feel sorry for himself he feels sorry for the players who have to step up: 'they won't get a bowl and they'll only get a bat under circumstances where they are almost certain to fail - how are they going to enjoy it?' is his view.
Valid point - I wonder if other clubs have a problem that e're encountering at the moment - we have a Ones side that is fairly "fixed" in the skippers mind and a young twos that are quite strong for the league they're in, but a third XI that is filled with guys who are 30+ and happy to milk huge numbers of runs from very very weak bowling who refuse to step up to play at a level that meets their abilities. Means that when we have a couple of players missing, I'm pushed to call up lads from the fours who really need to be moving through the threes first!
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Everyone deserves a game if they are a paid up member over the weekend. However all our sides on a saturday play in a league and therefore, you have to select the strongets, most balanced side in each side. For the 1s/2s this is fairly easy, however in the 3s/4s you could easily select 11 best 'cricketers' but then you may have 10 batsmen in the side. I would say finding the balance in these teams and keeping everyone happy is the hardest part.
But if you're not selected on the saturday, your name is first on the list for the sunday at our club. If you are not selected on the saturday, it will be purely down to previous performances or the balance of the side where I am. A few years ago this wasn't the case and if you weere the skippers mate, you played. However we have now got a coach in and everything is alot more transparent.
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charlie15 - you don't improve if you don't play. Good to hear you have a game now but the circumstances smack of a dropout and as sensible as you are you're not getting the right consideration. When I moved up north I moved club after a season as it wasn't working. Haven't regretted it.
Not a drop out, I spoke to the 2nd XI skipper he presumed that I had a game on the Saturday, as I have said this season I want continuity on whether I play Sat or Sun due to having a young family, when he found out I didn't he asked one of the guys who was playing both days to drop out. We were told this season everyone would get a game at weekends , and then gaps would be made up from those who had aready got a game and available both days and then colts.... I should know I was in the committee meeting when this was agreed!!!
I almost made myself available fro Monty's Beard this weekend! :)
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We have a 2nd XI Cup game Sunday and felt obliged to give it a crack with our best XI. Normally we play friendlies on a Sunday and give everybody a game who misses out from Saturday. I emailed those guys who missed out both days to apologise and offered them a spot in the midweek friendly on the Monday.
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We have a 2nd XI Cup game Sunday and felt obliged to give it a crack with our best XI. Normally we play friendlies on a Sunday and give everybody a game who misses out from Saturday. I emailed those guys who missed out both days to apologise and offered them a spot in the midweek friendly on the Monday.
I'd move to you guys if I didn't suffer from nosebleeds if I go north of the Watford Gap! :D :D :D
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I think the bit that annoys me is when you have 7 sides out on a weekend (5 Sat 2 Sun), and you don't get a game on either day, whilst others play on both >:(.
It happened a couple of times last season and it's happened again this weekend, I will always be the first to admit that I will never be a great cricketer, but I've done more than enough to earn myself a place in the 5th XI and proven that I can hold my own in the 3's and 4's. I also find it particularly galling when you have been netting since January and someone just pitches up and walks straight into your spot on past reputation alone.
Having said that I did vent my anger at the Chariman of Cricket last night and should now be playing on Sunday, not his fault he was away on business when selection took place!!!
Charlie, are you playing for Woking & Horsell - if so - are you actually getting 5 sides out on a saturday?
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Charlie, are you playing for Woking & Horsell - if so - are you actually getting 5 sides out on a saturday?
Yup, easily. We had 6 out last Saturday!
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Christ! we need to have a chat - I play for Chertsey and we are really struggling to get 4 sides out. Perhaps there could be a cross-over of players?
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PM'd you.
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Great thread guys - this is very close to home for me as I've just (3 days ago) moved clubs for sort of similar reasons, my now old club folded its 1st team shortly into the season meaning that they are left with 1 team and about 18 players wanting to play each week. As one of the 1st team players stepping down I made the point that the original 2nd Team players who have played 3 fixtures with only 8 or 9 players should be first on the team sheet if they are available.
Unfortunately the new skipper didn't see it that way and only 3 got into the side for our next game, I know others were available so I offered to sit out in favour of one of them, he just came back with a "no thanks" and that was it.
I had been with that club for 9 years (it has existed for 10) and had been captain of the 1st team for a while so I was pretty gutted that the 1st team folded and then to see how the dependables were treated made me pretty angry.
The club I've joined tell me they have been struggling to get 11 each week for both 1st and 2nd team so I'm hoping I won't be joining at the expense of anyone else.
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Well I'm am defiantly one of these players. I got back into cricket last year and well bowling is not for me. batting went badly but I have worked with a bowling machine over the winter so hopefully will get better.
I started playing again last year as they where struggling for numbers in the second XI. this year the 1st teamers who are not performing are playing in the 2nd. which would have helped last year. but those is keeping me out of the team.
I play cricket for enjoyment and want to improve my game. but it is difficult to improve without game time and being at the crease. will keep working to get my place back..
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Great thread guys - this is very close to home for me as I've just (3 days ago) moved clubs for sort of similar reasons, my now old club folded its 1st team shortly into the season meaning that they are left with 1 team and about 18 players wanting to play each week. As one of the 1st team players stepping down I made the point that the original 2nd Team players who have played 3 fixtures with only 8 or 9 players should be first on the team sheet if they are available.
Unfortunately the new skipper didn't see it that way and only 3 got into the side for our next game, I know others were available so I offered to sit out in favour of one of them, he just came back with a "no thanks" and that was it.
I had been with that club for 9 years (it has existed for 10) and had been captain of the 1st team for a while so I was pretty gutted that the 1st team folded and then to see how the dependables were treated made me pretty angry.
The club I've joined tell me they have been struggling to get 11 each week for both 1st and 2nd team so I'm hoping I won't be joining at the expense of anyone else.
how can you fold your 1st XI?, what league are you in?
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You're not usually supposed to fold your 1st XI but if you can persuade the committee that there is a good chance the club would cease to exist if it kept the 1st XI then they do usually let you. I know one club who recently folded their 1st XI who played around 7 divisions higher than their 2nd XI, lots of complaints about how they are now too good for the level they play but I guess having one team with players too good for the level is better than having a team with players not anywhere near good enough to play at that the higher standard..
Back on topic, I respect people who turn up week in week out knowing they aren't particularly good, the only problem is we usually have well over half of the 2nd team made up of these types of players and it means we struggle which effects everybody. However cricket is a sport that is supposed to be enjoyed so I would prefer to be part of a team with 6-7 part-time cricketers who you can get on with and have a laugh rather than playing with 11 good cricketers who take the game extremely seriously..
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how can you fold your 1st XI?, what league are you in?
I play in Guernsey, there is a precedent for this type of thing and after quite a bit of discussion with the governing body about how we might keep going it was decided getting rid of the 1st XI was the best thing. We lost 3 of our better players from the 1st team over the winter, one to a club in the same league and the other 2 have left the island. To compound that we lost another 5 from our B Team squad for various reasons - age, golf, injury etc.
The 2nd Team are only 2 divisions below and of the remaining players 'good enough' to play in Division 1 I think only 3 will stay with the club long term or play each week. The 1st XI were punching above their weight anyway really so it was always going to be a struggle this year to get 11 out each week.
We unfortunately have in Guernsey an unhealthy mix of two league teams obsessed with winning every trophy possible so if anyone good appears on the scene they try and poach the player away from weaker sides which has lead to a real imbalance in the league. One of them has won the league 13 times since 1992, they have the bulk of the Guernsey team who beat a Canada XI at Hove last week in a T20 and also had a pretty good game against a Notts XI in a T20 game last week as can be seen here http://www.guernseycricket.com/guernsey-cricket-news
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Our first XI is in the top Middlesex division (Southgate) however our second XI are in the 2nd team bottom division, our 3rd XI are in the bottom division of the Third team division, and god help our 4th XI who hardly have enough players each week!
It doesn't help that right beside us on a tiny pitch are Southgate Adelaide who despite having 30 players and one pitch a stones throw from ours play in an arguably different league (Hertford). I can't help but think that if both clubs were one then we could comfortably get out 4 teams and have sizeable grounds to use.
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Swamidude did you play against Uxbridge the other day? I got dropped to the 3's and got 5-23 and 44 not out against you haha
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No I am currently not playing until after my exams. Gosh yes I heard we got destroyed! A complete embarrassment my teammates told me, hopefully I can play against you at some point later in the season and ruin those figures ;)
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Swamidude did you play against Uxbridge the other day? I got dropped to the 3's and got 5-23 and 44 not out against you haha
Loks like Leo's found his level at last!
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Not a drop out, I spoke to the 2nd XI skipper he presumed that I had a game on the Saturday, as I have said this season I want continuity on whether I play Sat or Sun due to having a young family, when he found out I didn't he asked one of the guys who was playing both days to drop out. We were told this season everyone would get a game at weekends , and then gaps would be made up from those who had aready got a game and available both days and then colts.... I should know I was in the committee meeting when this was agreed!!!
I almost made myself available fro Monty's Beard this weekend! :)
Haha, I'd have taken you Charlie! In all honesty we actually had 37 players available for Saturday? the most we've ever had which is great as this year is our first season fielding a 3rd XI team! We'll definitely have to arrange another fixture this year Charlie....
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Loks like Leo's found his level at last!
Haha we had shocking availability last week, great 2's side (8 wicket win) but terrible 3rd XI!
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Haha, I'd have taken you Charlie! In all honesty we actually had 37 players available for Saturday? the most we've ever had which is great as this year is our first season fielding a 3rd XI team! We'll definitely have to arrange another fixture this year Charlie....
That's brilliant. Our 6 XI didn't get a fixture this weekend as our Chariman of Cricket (he was the grumpy Scottish one who got triggered) was away for selection and no one thought to organise anything >:(. We'll be looking for more games tho, and will be more than happy to come up to yours or haev you back to us.
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We have no fixture on the 9th of June at the minute Charlie? May be worth sorting something for that day if you have no fixture....
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Loks like Leo's found his level at last!
I'll show you a thing or two Wednesday ;)
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We have no fixture on the 9th of June at the minute Charlie? May be worth sorting something for that day if you have no fixture....
I'm pretty sure our 6ths don't have a game then either, let me check and I'll come back to you. Still waiting for you to finish the match report and comment on my magnificent innings of 0!
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Ah the match report....yes I've been getting it in the neck about not finishing that one....managed to finish this Saturdays finally! You'll have to excuse the poor spelling, the way we have to insert it onto the site is a right pain in the Chanderpauls!
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All clubs have them. Guys who turn up to nets week in and week out, are willing to spend 50 overs in the field without so much as a sniff of bowling and who seem to be happy to bat at number 8, but when they do rarely score runs.
What do you do to keep these guys interested, as they are great when you have a fallow patch with people on holiday...
As others have said, beers after the game and the whole social experience that comes with cricket is important to everyone especially the players you're describing.
We have 3 teams at our club, with our 3rd team we try to make sure everyone has a role. For some that may result in a few overs in a game, for others it's batting in the top 6. Also if you turn up to training you will get a good bat or bowl.
We're always trying to recruit players and it's hard to keep new guys if they bat at number 10 and don't bowl.
Also, it helps if some of your more talented players gives advice and coaching to the others.
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And now I find myself 6XI skipper! Plus we are playing at a ground where I have played rugby twice and been absolutely thrashed, hoping the change of sport will have a different effect!