Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: iand123 on July 21, 2014, 12:12:12 PM
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As per my comment in my for sale thread, this season has been far from enjoyable for me and if im honest i'm at the point where i just cant really be bothered with cricket right now.
Many factors have contributed to this, here they are (try and keep up!)
First year of skippering and availability has been a pain. We've had 15-20 people a week unavailable for a range of reasons which means that the side we are putting out haven't been a true reflection of the sides we should be putting out. Has meant a lot of scrapping around for players. Whilst selection is never easy further up the club I don't think its been very consistent and in my opinion skippers have only thought of their sides and not the greater good of the club. Not helped in that out 6th XI (who were playing friendlies this year) haven't been able to field a side due to availability which means i then become bottom of the food chain. My selection is then dictated by having to give people a game as opposed to picking my strongest or most balanced XI.
Due to some brilliant planning by the league our 5th XI (of which i am captain) were moved from the 2nd XI structure into the 1st XI structure meaning we are very much out of our depth (even with full availability would have been a challenge). So we went from 2B West where we finished mid table last year to 1B West. Its probably a better standard than what our 4th XI is playing in their league (2A West). Means we are turning up most weeks and getting battered. All in all very demoralising.
There have been a few internal issues too which I'd go into on here but cant really. Has meant alot of aggro, emails, phone calls on top of the usual chasing for players and availability etc. Culminated with me being on the phone to our club secretary at 10pm on a Sunday evening the other week telling him I'd had enough of skippering and my committee role due to an entire being weekend ruined by first the result and a bad performance and then this aggro.
Performance wise its been OK, just over 100 runs in 6 games which i appreciate isn't going to set the world on fire but my average for the last few years has been around 200 runs a season for the standard i play. I've had one knock of 36 which pretty much won us the game and then a 55 which got us within touching distance. Having played 4th team cricket for the last few years I'm satisfied with my individual stats (I've even started bowling again). I don't get the chance to net at all as I've moved further away and my work has taken me further afield. I also have a young family which i have to find time to spend with them on top of all of this.
Cricket has always been my escape and for me its all about enjoyment. Winning isn't the be all and end all for me but playing league cricket I want to compete and not roll over or give up before you've even arrived. I wanted to skipper this year and help bring through a few youngsters. This has happened in we've given 5 u-15's their first games of mens cricket and even in a short period of time their improvement has been vast. At the moment I do not enjoy cricket. I wake up on a Saturday hoping its raining really hard as it makes my decision that bit easier! I've made myself unavailable this week as Saturday was rained off and had a lovely weekend that didn't involve cricket! I'm also on a stag do the week after so figured it gave the team a chance to get some momentum as a fair few players who have been missing are supposedly available. However it really is getting to the point where i just don't want to play any more this season.
I see i have 4 options
1. Jack it all in and stop playing (not what I want to do deep down and am hoping a winter away will give me time to find my mojo back)
2. Find another club to play for (Same as above I think a winter or some time away would help and i really do enjoy playing where i play apart from this year having moved to this club about 5 years ago)
3. Play for the same club and not just play, no captaincy or committee role
4. Man Up and stop being such a girl and get on with it (to be fair this could be applied with all of the above to a degree)
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I see i have 4 options
1. Jack it all in and stop playing (not what I want to do deep down and am hoping a winter away will give me time to find my mojo back)
2. Find another club to play for (Same as above I think a winter or some time away would help and i really do enjoy playing where i play apart from this year having moved to this club about 5 years ago)
3. Play for the same club and not just play, no captaincy or committee role
4. Man Up and stop being such a girl and get on with it (to be fair this could be applied with all of the above to a degree)
Man up, finish the season, play cricket, then drop the aggro components and let someone else do them next season. By the way, you ain't getting your MoJo back ;)
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Doesn't sound great!
Given we are 5/6 weeks away from the end of the season. Maybe sticking at it for the club's sake would be the best thing to do, assuming they are trying to help as much as possible. Nobody wants a captain quitting mid-season and they should help you if they care.
That said, with a young family quitting at the end of the season would be wise. Stick to playing. I've been there at the bottom of the food chain and spending hours on the phone. It's no fun and unless things change within the club, give it a miss for a few seasons and get back to playing.
Regarding leaving the club, that's your call. If travel is becoming an issue and you want to be closer to home then why not? Plenty of decent clubs around and finding something at a lower level might help you enjoy your cricket more.
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Last season I felt pretty frustrated and underwhelmed by cricket (on and off the field) so didn't play from Mid-July onwards. During that time I went to 3 festivals, spent some weekends at the beach and had a little bit of downtime. Also began playing football more seriously again after having a few seasons at a more local level. This led to me realising that there are many more enjoyable activities to fill my weekend other than cricket!
Planned not to play atall this year but in the winter transferred to a club where a good friend of mine is 3rd XI skipper, I explained to the chairman and skippers that I wouldnt be available every week but I would always give 100% on the field, give good notice of my availablity and would play for any team that selected me. Despite only playing 5 league games I have enjoyed each of them - scored a couple of 50s, took my first ever league hat-trick and have ended up playing my first ever game in an ECB Premier league. The club as a whole have reached 3 cup finals, are battling near the top of 2 leagues and are doing pretty well off the field
They have made me feel welcome and held no grudges over my sparse availability. Whilst I have thoroughly enjoyed the games I have played I can honestly say that when I haven't played I don't miss cricket atall. Hope this helps in some way. The way I looked at it was that I was a paying member and I wasnt enjoying it - where else in life do you pay to do something you dont enjoy? It seemed ridiculous so I changed it!
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Man up, finish the season, play cricket, then drop the aggro components and let someone else do them next season. By the way, you ain't getting your MoJo back ;)
Wise advice Tiom, and yes my mojo is very much yours!
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Given we are 5/6 weeks away from the end of the season. Maybe sticking at it for the club's sake would be the best thing to do, assuming they are trying to help as much as possible. Nobody wants a captain quitting mid-season and they should help you if they care.
Thats where we got to really. I have a young Vice Captain who is very keen and wants some experience so have said i'll hand the reigns to him for some games and be there to help him out. We've already had two skippers quit this season which isnt great. I think i rather naively figured skippering wouldnt be too much hassle, at least i now know its not for me going forward regardless of where i play
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It seems that although well intentioned you have taken on to much and consequently it has got to you losing matches issues with teams selection etc.
I think you need to put it all into context and decide what really matters to you and maybe take your option 2 without a Captaincy or committee role just turnout on matchday and enjoy it.
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Dont stop playing, Its a long retirement from what is essentially our favourite pastime. In terms of this year get what you can out of it. Dig in with the bat and try and make each game as positive for yourself as possible.
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Dont stop playing, Its a long retirement from what is essentially our favourite pastime. In terms of this year get what you can out of it. Dig in with the bat and try and make each game as positive for yourself as possible.
I agree, I'm getting on and cherish the fact I can still just about play. I know retirement is round the corner and that's it for something I love doing. I do however agree with alba that there is a balance to be had. I work off an assumption that 15 out of 18 league games is a decent commitment - roughly 80-85% of the time. The other times doing something special makes it worth missing cricket (just about).
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I played my first season of cricket when I was 10 and I didn't enjoy it as I made no friends in the team and they all went to private schools, so I was the odd one out.
I played my second season last year and our team didn't do well, got to bowl once and didn't bat higher than 8 (even though I only got out once the entire season). I was the Binny of the team.
Now I love cricket more than ever because of the atmosphere at the ground, the sledging (yes, even at junior level!) and the atmosphere at training was really nice, as everyone was smiling and making jokes but the batting and bowling was serious at the same time.
If you leave cricket, you will regret the little things that make you come back. For the rest of the season, you should try splitting up the jobs to make your life easier. I guess you are facing the same problems as Cook without the loss of form. I believe teams should work on and off the field as a team, because one person cannot carry a team!
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I agree, I'm getting on and cherish the fact I can still just about play. I know retirement is round the corner and that's it for something I love doing. I do however agree with alba that there is a balance to be had. I work off an assumption that 15 out of 18 league games is a decent commitment - roughly 80-85% of the time. The other times doing something special makes it worth missing cricket (just about).
Im 29 and hate the politics etc that comes with a selection and captaincy, but I didnt play for 5 years due to bad knees and didnt realise how much I missed playing til I started again. So dont stop.
The commitment issue is a good one, usually a winning side and/or an enjoyable one gets good availability. Hopefully the challenging standard is sorted during the winter as that may help.
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I agree, I'm getting on and cherish the fact I can still just about play. I know retirement is round the corner and that's it for something I love doing. I do however agree with alba that there is a balance to be had. I work off an assumption that 15 out of 18 league games is a decent commitment - roughly 80-85% of the time. The other times doing something special makes it worth missing cricket (just about).
I think most clubs work off this assumption.
Our club has the policy that you need to be available for roughly 85% of league fixtures to qualify for the 1st XI. This was put in place to help promote the youth policy (Usually available more - and lets be honest, are the future). It's the reason we do not pay overseas players either (Short term fix for a long term problem).
Unfortunately, we had a regular 1st XI player from a few years back come back to the club demanding to open the batting for the 1st XI (He is definitely good enough and we wanted him back) however, because he was only available every second week, he was told by the Chairman he would have to drop down to the 2nds and prove his form (More-so to give the Chairman a reason to drop someone from the 1st XI who was available more). We explained how the club policy has changed and what we were trying to achieve (It had to so that we could safeguard the future of the club), however he decided that we had questioned his 'honour' and 'commitment', he left the club under a very dark cloud and joined one of our nearest rivals.
It is a shame that not all players have Alba's honesty and understanding of their own game, plus the respect for the club to understand what they are trying to achieve.
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I've retired twice this year! I just can't stay away though.
Due to injury over winter I didn't winter net once, I thought to get fit for game 1 but after 46 overs at slip my body gave up so had to turn down a bat.
Missed the next two games but couldn't bare not playing.
Back in the side, but still slip to slip, I was being carried, barely got out of double figures. So dropped myself and said I'd had enough.
Still it hurt not playing sats, but I used the sats off to get fit.
And then returned because we was wells short(and being vice I was needed to lead)
Still not fully fit, but can field, and bowl 2 overs a game! Lol. But since that return, with the bat I have gone 40, 37, 49*, 17 and 50.
Not setting the world on fire, but so glad to be back, and part of the club I love.
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been there a few times.
retired in 2003
retired in 2006
retired in 2013
still playing though!!
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To be honest, sounds like you've more than had enough
I've spent the previous two seasons at a club I joined after moving down sarf
It just didn't work out, various issues,life is way too short to not enjoy playing.
Look around for different club options, and certainly don't feel guilty about it
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join another friendly club
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If you can manage it, see the season out then quit. If not, then quit now and find another club over the winter. Find a club where you can be one of the players again, get a good game. Forget about the level, just play where you'll most enjoy it.
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Thanks for all the replies, some sound advice in there.
Is disillusionment even a word?
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Being an organiser is what is the problem I think.
I won't do it, I just play and if I'm asked to be captain I will only be the team captain so I captain on the day. I leave the club captain to select sides etc.
I have enough admin and managing fools in my day job
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Being an organiser is what is the problem I think.
I won't do it, I just play and if I'm asked to be captain I will only be the team captain so I captain on the day. I leave the club captain to select sides etc.
I have enough admin and managing fools in my day job
This!!!
I had the same this past season Ian.... Step away from captaincy and just turn up and enjoy your cricket again.
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Cricket is wonderful, but boy oh boy can it get you down quickly!
I've just left the club I started the season with, it was the dream move (Bale to Madrid) but having had the most frustrating ten games and not sure if I am to be selected or not, I'm seeing the season out at another club that has promised not to take the ....
At the moment I couldn't time an egg due to not getting batting opportunities.
Take a chill, and a nice glass of whiskey, think about what you want from your cricket, think about the time you can allocate and then find the best fit, I nearly ended up on three committees because I make things happen and have business acumen. It's hard saying no, but you have to enjoy what you do
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Cricket is wonderful, but boy oh boy can it get you down quickly!
I've just left the club I started the season with, it was the dream move (Bale to Madrid) but having had the most frustrating ten games and not sure if I am to be selected or not, I'm seeing the season out at another club that has promised not to take the ....
At the moment I couldn't time an egg due to not getting batting opportunities.
Take a chill, and a nice glass of whiskey, think about what you want from your cricket, think about the time you can allocate and then find the best fit, I nearly ended up on three committees because I make things happen and have business acumen. It's hard saying no, but you have to enjoy what you do
Let me know if you still need a trial bat if your who i think you are mate?
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Definitely agree that the admin side of things can get you down. I took the captaincy this season for our club and even though I knew it would be a challenge I didn't think that it would be this bad. Like you we have had players unavailable or leaving which has left an already weak squad in an even worse position most weeks.
All the last minute changes especially on the morning of a game means I'm running round everywhere whilst the phone is ringing non stop and I'm not sure if it has affected my batting but I've not scored half as many runs this season. It continually feels like you don't have time to concentrate on anything but organising the actual game taking place.
I think some of the blame has to be placed on the club as the majority of the time I am left to sort everything myself with little support. This is something I'll be letting them know of at the end of the season.
Although I have enjoyed the good times, It's definitely made my mind up to move to a new club next year, hopefully somewhere I can drop back into the ranks and score some runs.
I could never see myself not playing at any level unless an injury forced me to stop. My love for the game is too strong! :)
All the best in your decision.
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Don't clubs these days have a Team selector?
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Being a captain of a club is 80% admin, 10% politics and 10% playing. Anybody becoming a captain shouldn't kid themselves that most of the work goes on in the week prior. You do literally win and lose games depending on the side you have, so it's vital you get yourself organised as early as possible. Tools like pitchero are a godsend for seeing availability going forward a few weeks but being prepared is perhaps the best tool. Getting a contacts list together and working 24/7 to bring players into the club is the only way you can avoid a summer of hassle. Good colts section helps. I only every captained down to 3rd XI level (lowest team we had) and that was bad enough. Once got told by the 2nd XI captain at 7.30pm on a Friday -"I need 4 players and I'm off to dinner", great!. I can't imagine how 5th XI captains cope!
That's before the moaning post match about the on pitch stuff. You definitely need to be thick skinned and willing to work tirelessly.
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Feel your pain with this as feeling like taking a break myself as to much politics about too many "what's in it for me" people
Really thinking of knocking it on head for a while but will see season out I think then make a call
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I'm a bit of a cricket mercenary these days, being too under the thumb. The six Saturdays I do get to play are brilliant, I have no responsibilities and I put my all into it when I do turn up... Just want to play more...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Feel your pain with this as feeling like taking a break myself as to much politics about too many "what's in it for me" people
Really thinking of knocking it on head for a while but will see season out I think then make a call
I think there are more and more 'what's in it for me' types now and will rise. Not many Jnrs seem to be interested in the clubs, mainly just turn up, want to bat high and bowl, then sod off home straight away.
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And want free kit!
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I think there are more and more 'what's in it for me' types now and will rise. Not many Jnrs seem to be interested in the clubs, mainly just turn up, want to bat high and bowl, then sod off home straight away.
Agree. Part of it is the money sloshing around some areas of the club game. When I was in Yorkshire ( no means the only place), there so many paid players in some leagues it was silly. Anybody with a fraction of ability was getting something from someone. It gives some players an importance they don't deserve. Of course this feeds into other clubs as even the offer of paid match fees or petrol money sets a precedent. Even clubs who don't pay have to chase players as numbers participating get less. If you want a decent player but only wants to turn up 10 mins before the game and "has to be somewhere" 10 mins after, what do you do?
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Agree. Part of it is the money sloshing around some areas of the club game. When I was in Yorkshire ( no means the only place), there so many paid players in some leagues it was silly. Anybody with a fraction of ability was getting something from someone. It gives some players an importance they don't deserve. Of course this feeds into other clubs as even the offer of paid match fees or petrol money sets a precedent. Even clubs who don't pay have to chase players as numbers participating get less. If you want a decent player but only wants to turn up 10 mins before the game and "has to be somewhere" 10 mins after, what do you do?
Personal opinion is you tell them where to go. However, so me clubs are focused I the winning so allow it. It is hard though and I understand why people allow players to get away with being egos and wanting money etc.
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Feel your pain with this as feeling like taking a break myself as to much politics about too many "what's in it for me" people
Really thinking of knocking it on head for a while but will see season out I think then make a call
Definitely got this feeling this season and not played as regularly as I might as a result. Off on holiday next week so time to take stock with regards to next season. A lot of issues I'm struggling to see past at the minute
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So, of so many of us (a small section of the playing public), fancy a change etc... How do you attract said players to move to 'your' club?
What are we all looking for when we debate what club to move too??
Success on the field ?
Good facilities?
Youth sections ?
Lots of games available?
Good marketing ?
Maybe a 'family' club feel which many say they are but are nothing more than win at all costs clubs
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Let me know if you still need a trial bat if your who i think you are mate?
Dave,
I am who I think I am.... ( I think!) can I have one please? :-)
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I can't imagine how 5th XI captains cope!
The answer is very badly. I used to captain my clubs 3rd XI - the lowest team. We'd have 33 on a Wednesday, then 30 or less on a Friday.I genuinely used to have an "Emergency player" e-mail list and little black book of numbers. Would get back up to 33, this would then usually be followed by the club captain calling me saying we had another drop out so back to square one. A common site was me standing outside of a pub on a Friday night calling everyone in my phone book asking if they wanted a game.
I'm genuinely excited about this season (having moved to Aus and a new club), being able to just play and not have to worry about admin/chasing players/politics.
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Does everyone on here continue playing in the winter?
Surely a rest from September to February is needed so then you are itching to play again come April.
Me personally, I don't touch a cricket bat from September to February, in fact cricket never crosses my mind.
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I used to leave cricket alone for a couple of months and play rugby. But then with a growing club there's always things to be done etc...
I'm playing through the winter down here, bit of LMS just to get used to the Astro Aussie decks....
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I used to leave cricket alone for a couple of months and play rugby. But then with a growing club there's always things to be done etc...
I'm playing through the winter down here, bit of LMS just to get used to the Astro Aussie decks....
Where do you play? Never even heard anyone talk about it!
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Sydney, Last Man Stands tournament. There's winter cricket in most states though if you're AU based mate. If you're in the UK you're lucky if you get a game in summer let alone winter.
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I used to play all year round when I lived in Brisbane....grade cricket summer and then high level warehouse cricket comp in winter - and that's just the name of the comp, it's normal outdoor cricket just played in winter, not in a big shed :)
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I'm in Sydney, and I thought winter cricket was limited overs and all that. Never knew it was just another name for LMS, but I never played winter cricket as I player soccer in the winter. Thanks
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Does everyone on here continue playing in the winter?
Surely a rest from September to February is needed so then you are itching to play again come April.
Me personally, I don't touch a cricket bat from September to February, in fact cricket never crosses my mind.
I think the English cricket season is pushing more and more into September, almost to the end of it. Weather appears better than April and generally dry. Depending on the club you play for, you can play all of April-Sept, leaving only Oct-Mar free. Most people net indoors in the winter from Jan-Mar, I think we probably need the practise more than you! Only period nobody does anything is Oct-Dec.
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Indoor league is october till march. Winter nest January till April, and the odd net before Xmas when enough interested!
I prfer to keep my eye in over winter.
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Got to say a lot of the posts here sound very familiar! I'm really questioning if I want to play next year. My team are leading the league and hopefully we will get promotion but personally I am having a shocker of a year and am wondering if it is worth turning out next year. Not managed a score above 35 so far and think I should be doing so much better. To top it all off I dropped an absolute sitter at the weekend whilst fielding (luckily didn't cost us too much in runs). Beginning to dread Saturdays!
Not sure whether I should look at some 1 to 1 coaching over the winter to see if I can improve or to just sit the next season out and see whether my love/passion for cricket comes back.
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Get some coaching and practise in, its too good a game to walk away from.
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I broke my thumb two months ago played 1 game and re broke.
I'm moving house very soon and will be netting 4 times a week i want to play so badly got a few new sticks to use and can't wait October is my start at Dotball
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Got to say a lot of the posts here sound very familiar! I'm really questioning if I want to play next year. My team are leading the league and hopefully we will get promotion but personally I am having a shocker of a year and am wondering if it is worth turning out next year. Not managed a score above 35 so far and think I should be doing so much better. To top it all off I dropped an absolute sitter at the weekend whilst fielding (luckily didn't cost us too much in runs). Beginning to dread Saturdays!
Not sure whether I should look at some 1 to 1 coaching over the winter to see if I can improve or to just sit the next season out and see whether my love/passion for cricket comes back.
I guess it comes down to what you get from playing and what matters most to you is it about your own performance or for exsample being with team mates getting to talk cricket with like minded people having a beer a break from the daily grind etc.
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1-2-1 coaching has done wonders for my game and stopped me from quitting. In my view, disillusionment with the game usually comes with poor form, if you're blazing centuries or taking hatfuls of wickets then the game is still generally enjoyable even if your team mates may not be the best company. I would definitely give coaching a go, a two or three hour session with a good coach is worth a season of club nets.
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1-2-1 coaching has done wonders for my game and stopped me from quitting. In my view, disillusionment with the game usually comes with poor form, if you're blazing centuries or taking hatfuls of wickets then the game is still generally enjoyable even if your team mates may not be the best company. I would definitely give coaching a go, a two or three hour session with a good coach is worth a season of club nets.
Excellent advice - also pleased to read you are going to continue to play.
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My pleasure, Senior Player, glad to be of help. I couldn't buy a run last season and Saturdays were not fun. This year, I'm contributing with the bat and my keeping has improved too and I'm planning on playing on for a few more years. Good luck with the coaching, finding a good coach is key, which part of the country are you in?
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Loads of bad qualified coaches around so getting a good one is the key.
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My pleasure, Senior Player, glad to be of help. I couldn't buy a run last season and Saturdays were not fun. This year, I'm contributing with the bat and my keeping has improved too and I'm planning on playing on for a few more years. Good luck with the coaching, finding a good coach is key, which part of the country are you in?
I live in Stourbridge and play in the Worcester county league.
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Loads of bad qualified coaches around so getting a good one is the key.
You are right although having retired and no longer involved in coaching one of the problems is there is to much theory and over coaching to the detriment of natural ability.
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...You could try Gary Palmer the ex-Somerset player. I had a session with him a few years ago and found him excellent. He was workign at Ripley School, not sure if he's still there but you should be able to find him on the internet.
I now see Matt at the Cricket Asylum near Leeds but that is a bit of travel from the midlands.
The other option may be Paul Aldred, master bat maker on here and also a coach. He's in Derbyshire. I'm not sure if he does 1-2-1 coaching but worth an ask. He may have a recommendation if nothing else. I've met Paul and I would think that he would be a very personable coach who would keep things simple.
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seems as if there are loads of people frustrated with cricket these days...
Social game suffers huge loss of appeal
Richard Hobson
Last updated November 19 2014 12:01AM
There were 64,000 fewer recreational cricketers this year than last, though, the ECB feels it now has a “clearer picture” to help it to engage more players
Stephen Bardens/Alamy
Exclusive
Statistics circulated to county cricket boards by the ECB show that participation in the recreational game has fallen by 64,000 over the past year, with more than 5 per cent of games being conceded because at least one team cannot field a side.
The comprehensive results of the annual National Playing Survey, seen by The Times, reveal that the number of players aged between 14 and 65 dropped from 908,000 in 2013 to 844,000 this summer.
Almost two fifths (39 per cent) of southern Asians who said that they would like to play more felt that what is on offer at present does not work for them, against 22 per cent for the rest. Thirty-five per cent of women wanting to play said that cricket was not available.
The ECB has begun a detailed review after nearly 40,000 people, including almost 9,000 lapsed players, responded to the survey, well up on the returns for 2013. Evidence suggests that there is an appetite for shorter games and additional matches in April and September.
More than one in four respondents (26 per cent) who would like to play more said that cricket was simply not on offer. The report says: “Cricket availability and time prevent younger players and females playing more. The current offer is a particular problem for South Asian players.”
Although the ECB has kept it away from general release, a number of the 39 boards representing the first-class and minor counties have leaked select details. The Northamptonshire Cricket Board website said that “to have more than one in every 20 cricket matches not happening due to lack of players should be a huge concern”.
In partial mitigation, Met Office figures show only 24 dry days across the first 17 weeks of the season, against 30 in 2013. There is minor comfort for the ECB in a rise in satisfaction levels among those who do play from 7.2 out of ten last year to 7.8 this time. Happiest players were those aged 14-15, with the greatest dissatisfaction among “cameo”, “occasional” and the 19-25 groupings.
However, as well as the rise in conceded games, the first 18 weeks of the 2014 season featured a 13 per cent decrease in fixtures being played, and 11 per cent of matches being cancelled, almost three times up on 2013. Although the 2005 Ashes success prompted a big increase in recreational players, there is no reliable data on the overall decline since, because of the ECB’s new method of compiling figures.
The ECB said that it “recognised the participation challenges that have been facing all team sports” and introduced the survey last year to understand better what drives grassroots involvement.
The ECB now has “a much clearer picture than ever before of who plays recreational cricket, what type of cricket they prefer to play and when they want to play it. We are now setting about finding ways in which we can best address their needs going forward.
“We are already working in partnership with our county boards as part of a detailed participation review to tackle key factors which affect participation, such as match end time, travel distance to matches, playing format, length of game and club/school links.”
Engaging the Asian community has been an issue to vex the authorities for many years. It manifested itself with the booing of Moeen Ali when he played for England against India at Edgbaston in September, just a few miles from his Birmingham home. As recently as last week, Ali spoke about players being lost to the game.
The ECB said that it has launched “a programme of engagement and development with South Asian communities, which has been backed up by capital and revenue investment in five major cities with a high South Asian population”.
Results do not appear to have surprised the counties. Mick Glenn, the senior cricket manager of Derbyshire Cricket Board, believes that the game has suffered “a drip effect” in his county, with long games unappealing for young players making the transition to adult cricket. “If they move from 20 overs to 40 or 50, that is the difference from playing in an evening, say, and taking up a whole afternoon on a weekend,” he said.
Peter Hybart, the chief executive of Cricket Wales, said: “Recruitment of youngsters is as strong as ever and then, like all sports, there is a drop-off from around 15 onwards. That has started to impact on our seniors at fourth, third or second-team levels. The challenge is to keep those from 15 to 25.
“It is linked to changing lifestyles and people trying individual activities, which they can do whenever they like instead of needing a whole team. We are not talking about talented guys on a county pathway, it is the ones who swing across the line but enjoy themselves.”
Surveying the scene
47 per cent want to play more but do not have time
27 per cent could play more but cricket on offer does not suit them
70 per cent of women want to play in September but do not have games
16 per cent unhappy with distance travelled to games
27 per cent dissatisfied with finishing times
Words by Richard Hobson
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good read, I wish all the boards would release the findings as would be enlightening to read
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just have to wait and see what weird and wonderful ideas they come up with now.
i would say the surveys sums up most of the cricket people i know quite well
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I wonder if the ECB suppressed anything to do with cricket not being on free to air tv? Can't believe that isn't a reason.
Do I get a gold star for pointing out more cricket should be played in September, before the survey came out? I'm sure I'm cheaper to hire than the ECB staff doing this :D
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=31782.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=31782.0)
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"27 per cent could play more but cricket on offer does not suit them"
What does this actually mean? what doesn't suit them?
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they don't like the start or finish times or days its on
here is what our league have released so far
Shropshire Cricket
Board Bulletin Snapshot
The Official Home of Cricket in Shropshire
www.shropshirecricketboard.co.uk (http://www.shropshirecricketboard.co.uk)
National Playing Survey 2014 Update
The National Playing Survey (NPS) was launched in June 2014 to reach as far and as wide as possible to receive views on those playing the game, those who have lapsed and those following the game at a local level
Key Figures Nationally from 2014:
• 37,586 total responses – up 77% on 2013
• 26,206 player responses – up 83% on 2013
• 8,735 lapsed player responses – up 60% on 2013
• Responses from ‘hard-to-reach’ segments of the market have significantly increased e.g. Occasional players, Women and Girls and South Asian players
• Conceded games have increased 62% from 2010 - 2014
• 27% of players are dissatisfied with end times of matches
Key Figures Locally (background):
These are our figures taken from the National Playing Survey data which was captured and calculated by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2013
• 15,059 play the game annually in Shropshire
• 4528 are - CORE PLAYERS ( play 12 times a year or more)
• 7231 are – OCASSIONAL PLAYERS (4-11 times a year)
• 3300 are – CAMEO PLAYERS (less than 4 games a year)
• Peak month – July, Lowest month November
Key Figures Locally 2014 from NPS
• Shropshire contributed 817 survey responses which was 2.2% of the national figure and 5.4% of the counties total cricket player participation which was higher than the national average 606 responses were from current players of which 473 came from the Shropshire County Cricket League.
A Snap Shot of feedback of Cricket in Shropshire vs National feedback
The left hand column in each section is percentages from Shropshire Survey Respondents. The right hand column in each section is National percentages.
Snapshot on a page
(A collection of useful statistics from the dashboard)
How many players… How satisfied players are…
How many people play cricket?
(Total Market Size ONLY) What is the overall satisfaction score of cricketers? 8.0 7.8
What is the most popular other sport played by cricketers? Football
52% Football 47%
What is the Net Promoter Score?
(% of Promoters-% of Detractors) 54% 48%
How many cricketers attend International fixtures? 71% 72%
How many cricketers would like to play more? 64% 68%
How many cricketers attend Domestics fixtures? 53% 60%
Satisfaction levels of game day factors? 91% 89%
Challenging Opposition 84% 82%
Spirit of the Game 68% 90%
Travel Distance 88% 84%
Pitch Quality Umpire Quality 75% 65%
On game day, what players think…
What is the average All Market Segments cost of a season? £286 £304
What is the average cost breakdown?
Equipment £134 £137
Membership £42 £59
Match Fees (Per Match) £7 £7
Travel Costs (Per Match) £7 £7
How many cricketers are enjoying playing cricket more now than last season? 40% 40%
Things to watch out for…
How many cricketers say cost is a barrier to playing? 17% 28%
How many cricketers are happy with the format they play? 90% 88%
How many cricketers say they struggle to balance cricket with other commitments? 49% 49%
How many cricketers are happy with the time their matches start? 85% 79%
What is the average age people start playing cricket? 12 11
How many cricketers are happy with the time their matches end? 79% 73%
How many cricketers are planning to NOT play next season? 1% 1%
Other useful things…
How many cricketers have had formal coaching in the last 2 years? 35% 42%
How many value coaching as a means to developing skills? 84% 84%
Overall Satisfaction Selection 8.0 National 7.8
Net Promoter Score Selection 54% National 48%
Want to Play More Cricket Selection 64% National 68%
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sorry about the formatting as in a rush
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Re conceded games - The Essex league brought in a stupid rule a few years back which basically read if any team concedes a game all sides within that club lose 5pts. This resulted in many teams not entering 3rd or 4th teams into the league so the higher teams were not deducted points, it just reduced the amount of cricket available to members.
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GCB are congratulating themselves on doing reasonably well compared to other boards.. however they are still losing players and teams left right and centre.
Main things were the day is too long, travel is too much, start time is too late, finish time is to late, standard of umpiring is poor and the 'spirit of cricket' is poor. Oh and there isn't enough cricket on offer in april, sept and oct.
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Re conceded games - The Essex league brought in a stupid rule a few years back which basically read if any team concedes a game all sides within that club lose 5pts. This resulted in many teams not entering 3rd or 4th teams into the league so the higher teams were not deducted points, it just reduced the amount of cricket available to members.
Whilst i can see some (not alot) logic in that it really is a stupid idea in practice. In the Kent leagues you lose 5 points if you concede and get fined if its after midday on a Thursday. There was a rule that if you conceded 3 games in a season then that side would be kicked out of the league for that season. They abandoned that as i know the KRL had a lot of teams dropping out last year and the face a real problem in the lower leagues
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So having started this thread a while back i figured i'd update. Came to the conclusion that everything that went on at my previous club left too much a negative feeling that I have decided not to return. Real shame as bar this season just gone ive really enjoyed myself and made some good friends.
Have decided to return to the club i left about 6 years ago where i was a colt. Got a few mates who play there, they have a lot of kids who come so will be easier for the wife to come along with the youngsters and really looking forward to getting back to playing and enjoying cricket again.
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good stuff and glad to hear your still playing as loads leaving the game at the min
people forget it needs to be enjoyed
im waiting on a club meeting to decide on what im doing as was not great this year as might just go back to playing only rather than all the club stuff as just tired of politics
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Whilst i can see some (not alot) logic in that it really is a stupid idea in practice. In the Kent leagues you lose 5 points if you concede and get fined if its after midday on a Thursday. There was a rule that if you conceded 3 games in a season then that side would be kicked out of the league for that season. They abandoned that as i know the KRL had a lot of teams dropping out last year and the face a real problem in the lower leagues
This probably shows how detached some cricket league committees are from reality, their reasoning that was if the first team are made to lose points for say a non fulfillment of a 4th team fixture, those first team players will take responsibility and not want to lose 5 points and make themselves more available. Now a great idea in theory, however the committee were forgetting that half the first team probably dont give 2 hoots about the teams lower down in the club and the same can be said for players in teams lower down about the first team. And actually in our club its the first team players who are mostly available. All that happens and happened is that instead of clubs unable to fulfil a fixture advising the oppo on say a Monday or Tuesday, so allowing the oppo to arrange another fixture, both clubs would play a game of who cracks first and pull out as late as a Saturday morning! Which completely put off players in the 3s and 4s from making themselves available all together. After having a few games called off on a Saturday i guess you tend to find other things to do. Its these sort of short sighted decisions that blight cricket leagues up and down the country.
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This probably shows how detached some cricket league committees are from reality, their reasoning that was if the first team are made to lose points for say a non fulfillment of a 4th team fixture, those first team players will take responsibility and not want to lose 5 points and make themselves more available. Now a great idea in theory, however the committee were forgetting that half the first team probably dont give 2 hoots about the teams lower down in the club and the same can be said for players in teams lower down about the first team. And actually in our club its the first team players who are mostly available. All that happens and happened is that instead of clubs unable to fulfil a fixture advising the oppo on say a Monday or Tuesday, so allowing the oppo to arrange another fixture, both clubs would play a game of who cracks first and pull out as late as a Saturday morning! Which completely put off players in the 3s and 4s from making themselves available all together. After having a few games called off on a Saturday i guess you tend to find other things to do. Its these sort of short sighted decisions that blight cricket leagues up and down the country.
Whilst I agree that many league and club committees are detached from what the player base wants the unfortunate fact is that it is really is for us to moan and complain but very very few people are willing to step up and go on these committees to activate the change that is needed. This seems fairly typical of country where most people complain about the government etc but yet less than 50% actually bother to vote.
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Very good point Rich. We have 2 senior teams and about 35 senior players signed on yet it is always the same half a dozen who help with the ground, help with teas, turn up to meetings, provide prizes for fundraisers etc etc. Many players just want to turn up, play the go home (or to the pub)! I'm sure we're not the only club like this either?!
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I think the ECB must take nearly all the blame for the current situation. When they took the Sky money they knew losing cricket from Free to Air TV would reduce awareness. They gambled that enough initiatives would bring players in. They recruited development officiers and started various colts programmes. However, what they also did was plough a huge amount of money back into the county game to keep failing counties propped up. Haven't seen the latest numbers but I think it was a third to a half of all TV money goes back to the counties. Even with various performance schemes, most counties get a free cheque. They also prioritised top clubs using clubmark as a smokescreen. Tried getting a grant for a village club with 1 team, good luck with that.
In effect what they did was reduce public awareness of cricket and make it harder for the traditional village clubs that fed the bigger teams to survive, not only in terms of players but also financially. They took the casual player who might fancy a game because it was on TV, out of the picture completely. The bigger clubs 3/4th teams now struggle because these occasionals just disappeared. They have knee capped cricket at the grass roots by forming a strategy built around the first class game and big clubs. The consequences will be that cricket participation will keep reducing until most areas will have a handful of major clubs with multiple teams. Village cricket will pretty much die out in 20 years time.
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In the Worcester county league not for filling a fixture leads to points being deducted from more than one club team and a fine of 50.00.
Clubs also wait to see who cracks first with matches cancelled on a Friday and Saturday morning even though they are aware they have no chance of putting a side out as the club who has not cancelled is awarded full match points.
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I have found that there are many with a voice but very few who actually do something about it. All you can do is get all the "doers" to pull together and move your club forward. I personally think that in Lancashire the next 5 years will be amongst the most important years since cricket began. The need to keep kids involved between the ages of 15 and 24 is going to be crucial as to whether most clubs survive /close or merge. Currently there are primary school initiatives in place that hopefully will get kids into cricket at a earlier age but the clubs then need to take over and help develop the child's cricket education. Once they get to state high school football and rugby take over. Both football and rugby seasons now overlap the cricket season making these juniors less available to the clubs. Therefore clubs need to invest time and money into the juniors so that cricket becomes their 1st or 2nd choice and not as is currently happening, cricket is their 3rd choice and as a result the 1st sport they give up once they get to 15/16/17.
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Whilst I agree that many league and club committees are detached from what the player base wants the unfortunate fact is that it is really is for us to moan and complain but very very few people are willing to step up and go on these committees to activate the change that is needed. This seems fairly typical of country where most people complain about the government etc but yet less than 50% actually bother to vote.
I take your point, but I do attend the league meetings as a committee member of my club and from my experience it's generally and old boys club who saddle up to the largest league clubs, rather than represent all league members. If I had more time (like the majority) I would sit on the league committee but working, family life, playing, training, youth coaching, and being a club committee member, takes up all my time. Just because those guys on the league committees have given their time to sit, it doesn't allow them to make short sighted decisions for the benefit of the minority rather than considering the larger picture to benefit cricket.
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Having sat on the TVL and Wetherby League committees, I think I can offer some views.
Firstly, finding people to sit on a league committee of any sort is a hard enough job. That's just 12 meetings a year, 2 hours per meeting. Then if you start asking for people to take on tasks (ie. checking match returns or a discaplinary committee) it becomes a needle in a haystack. While most people who do take it on are relatively normal and care about the players/clubs, you can get difficult individuals who have agenda's or non agenda's. You can get lots of bad decisions or none made at all. Stick 6 committee members in a room and 4 of them will have different opinions. Not sure which one is more frustrating to be honest and I could tell you some stories that would make you question why you should play cricket at all.
The other problem, much like the first class game, is if you started again today, you wouldn't have the same structure you have today. Many leagues were setup 20-30 years ago and some rules are so difficult to remove (two thirds majority kills most chances of change) that they will need the league to dissolve first. One classic example is the TVL lower leagues. For approx 10 years (since ironically I raised it) there has been a requirement to reduce overs for what are mainly development leagues. Something only happened when several TVL clubs threatened to break away into a seperate local league.
By all means get involved in committees but bring some mates with you if you want to get things changed.