Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: NT50 on April 03, 2018, 02:11:11 PM
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This morning i woke up to glorious sunshine, which is in stark contrast to the 2/3 inches of snow that i found when i opened my front door yesterday! (It seems West Yorkshire has a micro-climate of its own, as all my mates back home/ at other uni's in the north didn't get any!) All of this with the season just a few weeks away.
Anyway, i digress. Firstly: when does everyone's season start? We have our sole friendly in the last week of April, before our season starts for good a week later. Secondly: will you be setting yourself any targets for the season? (Whether that be runs, average, wickets or just pure enjoyment)
I've spent all winter at uni working on my batting and bowling, only to be struck down by a knee injury 5 weeks ago which means i haven't been able to go to nets since! All my personal goals will likely adjust according to how much cricket i can actually play this season whilst managing the injury. I'm aiming to play all 5 games for uni, and at least turn out for every Saturday game whilst more than likely resting on Sundays. So that brings me onto my personal goals:
General
- Manage my knee injury properly so i can at least play this season! (Going to be difficult to quantify, but to put a number on it i'd like to play at least 15 games)
Bowling
- Take at least 15 wickets (Provided my knee doesn't stop me from bowling)
- Start going at less than 4 an over (I value a lower economy over wickets, as we have plenty of wicket takers in our team, just nobody who can keep it tight)
Batting
- Score 250 runs (I think i barely broke three figures last season, but after much work on my batting i'd like to think i'm ready to start scoring more)
- Score a 50 (A slightly more optimistic one, but nevertheless one i'll very much try to achieve)
I'll come back mid-season to review them! If my knee stops me playing all together, then i'll have to take up scoring instead *shudder*
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Just got some contacts as it turns out one of my eyes is so bad my brain has started ignoring it.... Might explain why my batting had gone down the pan.
I’m hoping these help and I can get my average back into the 30’s. Hoping to get another ton this year too but think that’s another year off.
Bowling I’m hoping to continue the progress with my leggies and become a regular bowler at my new club.
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I had a pretty lean season in general in 2017, my only big runs coming in friendly fixtures, time spent chasing flying discs meant I had no rhythm with the ball. Only thing that went well last season was fielding- my fitness and speed improved a lot with my s&c programmes!
Goals for the coming season, as stated to Ansty, are for a 30 wicket season, contributing to a couple of wins with the bat and generally pulling my weight as we aim to win the division and return to the premier division.
I want to have good stats behind me hopefully going overseas next winter, CricX are currently working to find me a club in New Zealand.
Partly I want to prove to myself that I can hack it at a higher level after being held back/belittled at my previous club for years. I also want to prove to Sussex that I was worth having a look at through the open trials they ran- was rejected for not being the level they were after despite being tapped up by a side also aiming to win Division 2 and going into the 1s of a team that was in the premier division last season.
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Keep it simple - have fun and enjoy my cricket without taking it too seriously.
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Try to play the whole season (without breaking my finger this time...)
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Firstly, hoping that I can get 10-12 games in, while managing to keep the wife happy through the season! Hoping for a good warm summer, so we can play without sweaters most of the time. Very keen to score runs with the new bat I made, and to average in the 30s. Best case, 500 runs, 10 wickets, 0 injuries.
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1xi league avg of 45.
I’d like 50 within the next few seasons
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I had a shocker of a season last year, so early season I'll just be aiming for time at the crease! Beyond that I'm not too fussed about how many I get overall, but I want to play a good number of significant knocks and get back into the habit of batting long.
Bowling, I've had a couple of years of not bowling much so get plenty of overs in is the target, I know I'll take wickets if I do. Be disappointed if I can't get 20+.
Oh, and get promoted!
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Firstly, hoping that I can get 10-12 games in, while managing to keep the wife happy through the season! Hoping for a good warm summer, so we can play without sweaters most of the time. Very keen to score runs with the new bat I made, and to average in the 30s. Best case, 500 runs, 10 wickets, 0 injuries.
I am basically the same as this, maybe average a bit more but I won't be taking many wickets, which is good as it means I won't be bowling!
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Just play as much as I can and enjoy it. Had a health scare last year...
It's not the runs.. its the sun on your head and fresh air... find it therapeutic...
Oh runs are still most welcome... might even bowl again this a year after a log while...
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great question!
I would like to average 20+ with the bat with at least a couple of decent (for me) innings of 35+.
My team has just been promoted and felt a bit out of my depth in the last division so just hoping not to embarrass myself or be a liability to the team really.
Wouldn't mind being given a few more overs to bowl this year and would like wicket average to be lower than batting average :)
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Just playing would be nice. Once I prioritised Cricket instead of football in the crossover periods I got a job that includes a lot of Saturday’s so playing more than maybe 8 games a season has been tough!!
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Personally looking to keep my avg above 50 which as an opener I’m pretty pleased with espically as we have been promoted the last 2 seasons. 2nd to make more big hundreds made 4 in the last 2 seasons but highest being 114* I seem to get silly thinking I can play big shots when I get to 3 figures.
Lastly is to get me feet working better when standing up to the stumps, got 3 medium pacers and my feet get lazy when keeping in the middle overs some times.
All this whilst enjoying my cricket and times with the lads
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Goals ,aims?
Turning fifty this year, so just playing would be a goal.
Might scratch a few runs out, hopefully with a bat I’ve made, and might get to turn my arm over , who knows
As long as I’m playing, and the suns out, I don’t really give a northern monkeys 🐵
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Looking forward to having you on board this year @DorsetDan
I am hoping to build on the successes of last year , learn from the mistakes and continue to improve. I narrowly missed out on our first team batsman award so to be in contention again would be great
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20+ wickets in Division 1- first season playing consistently at that level
One match winning display with a ball i.e 5fer or above in a winning display, no point getting one and losing.
To churn out 2 50+ scores
Smash 1000 beers
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Maybe make a 100?
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With my first season at the new club for the second half of the season I ended up taking a wicket every ten balls.
Last season I concentrated on getting the runs conceded down. That worked out ok.
This season I want to combine both while continuing the (every so slowly creeping) upwards of my batting average. Can’t blame the willow.
This is the Custom Bowlers Forum right?
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Want to average at least 35 with the bat as an opener in TVL Division 2 and make 3 scores of 50+ and 1 of a hundred+ would like 370 league runs at least too.
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League and Cup double
League may prove tricky baring in mind we start season on - 9 points and only get 3 for a win
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Play a whole season without throwing my toys out of the prom (unlikely)
Not throw my kit around when getting out
Enjoy all stars with my 5 year old and remember when I used to enjoy playing cricket as a kid
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Im joining Tommo, 1000 beers! Like a to be invited to the league dinner with my team to pick up another promotion award to add to the 4 in 6 years.
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Good thread I like these.
Last year was a bit disappointing after a return from the dead in 2016, so a decent amount of league runs and making a difference to the team results. At times I played as well as ever last year according to some of my team mates, it just was not anywhere near consistent enough.
This year is a league change for us with 50 per cent 45 overs a side league matches, so there is a change of approach we think...how much difference it will be is yet to be seen, I still maintain without a defence good bowlers will get you out, so the best batsmen should still do well.
Rotating the strike v important and developing some more expansive shots is the goal, but it will have to be done with the back up of decent defence.
There are big hitters behind me in the threes so I'm expecting a tough season in Div 1. A lot of our guys like 20 20 cricket but can't bat for a long period(as I was brought up to do).
Other than that I'm fitter(a bit) and lighter(a bit) going into 2018 so fairly confident.
Team aim is to stay in div 1 without a doubt.
And....I probably need a spare bat during the year and considering a new helmet, mine seems very heavy. :)
And to stay away from any bad strains or other injuries as I'm now one of those players I looked at when I was 16 and wondered why they bothered still playing as they were creaking !!
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Love the responses!
1. Find a club (ideally once I've found a grad job too).
2. Train more and rekindle my love of the game.
3. Score 3 50s
4. Take 15 wickets
5. Play 30 games.
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Stay in div 1
Average in the 50's
Quit the fags for good
Don't drop any catches.
Make it through the first round of both T20 comps we're in
Use all the bats I own at least once.
Keep my Morrants pads clean.
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Last few seasons stats for comparison and mostly for my benefit when looking at season goals:
2017
305 runs at 20, 2x50
18 wickets at 24 econ 5.7
2016
367 at 22 2x50
22at 15.5 econ 5.5
2015
476 at 28 3x50
13 at 24 econ 5.8
2014
227 at 16 2x50
16 at 23 econ 5.3
General
- Just play plenty of games, Kid number two issue due to arrive in August and from July I'll be away tue-thu with work so won't make any training sessions.
Bowling
- 20 wickets, econ below 5.5
Batting
- Score a ton!
- 350 runs for the season
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Avg 35+ with a minimum of 3 50s in 14 games, striking at 85+. And a long shot will be a 100.
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I would like to run someone out with a direct hit, anyone really, it can be the 10 year old kid or the fatty with gout
I would like to take a blinder at gully, pop it in my pocket and wander off whistling like nothing had happened
I would like to open the batting, just once and at full tilt from the first ball, just to see their skippers face
I would like to hit a straight six, back over the bowlers head.
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Been there seen it done it so take one match at a time and try to stay fit and injury free.
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Last season I broke my arm in March, missed the whole of pre season and the first few games, and still finished top run scorer.
I averaged 36 across 8 innings as an opener, which sounds great but in reality meant I pretty much scored 30-40 every week but only bagged one 50. I also find myself in the strange position of playing as a specialist batsman whereas I've been a keeper/bat for the last 10 years.
Anyway, this season I'm targeting 500 runs for the league season which should put me in the league's top 3 batsmen. I'm yet to figure out my best fielding position - I often find myself in the slips by virtue of being a keeper, but I'm also one of the more athletic and like diving about, so I could end up in the covers instead. Either way, I'm looking for 10 catches.
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1) Persuade wife that she is capable of looking after 2 babies under 24 months of age every Saturday.
2) Failing that 'arrange' business trips over weekends and hope hangover has gone by Sunday night.
3) If 1 or 2 is successful then pray for rain and get on the beers.
4) Cricket?
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I had a pretty lean season in general in 2017, my only big runs coming in friendly fixtures, time spent chasing flying discs meant I had no rhythm with the ball. Only thing that went well last season was fielding- my fitness and speed improved a lot with my s&c programmes!
Goals for the coming season, as stated to Ansty, are for a 30 wicket season, contributing to a couple of wins with the bat and generally pulling my weight as we aim to win the division and return to the premier division.
I want to have good stats behind me hopefully going overseas next winter, CricX are currently working to find me a club in New Zealand.
Partly I want to prove to myself that I can hack it at a higher level after being held back/belittled at my previous club for years. I also want to prove to Sussex that I was worth having a look at through the open trials they ran- was rejected for not being the level they were after despite being tapped up by a side also aiming to win Division 2 and going into the 1s of a team that was in the premier division last season.
what did your last club do to hold you back / belittle you?
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what did your last club do to hold you back / belittle you?
Taking the mick at every opportunity. Leaving me in the 2s despite being the best spinner at the club. I haven't batted above 8 for the 1s in the last two years, despite actually going to training, working hard and scoring runs when needed. I've been at the club since I was 7- im 24 now, but have always been on the fringes of the main social group.
Basically I should have left when I was 15 and had several home counties premier/div 2 sides asking me to join but I stayed loyal, more fool me.
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- Deliberate practice sessions
- Enough recovery time between practice sessions
- Patience at the crease
- Develop better defense/counter-measures against off-cutter.
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Score a Saturday ton.
Only thing I’m missing, and actually the reason why i didn’t retire at the end of last year when we did the league and cup double.
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Taking the mick at every opportunity. Leaving me in the 2s despite being the best spinner at the club. I haven't batted above 8 for the 1s in the last two years, despite actually going to training, working hard and scoring runs when needed. I've been at the club since I was 7- im 24 now, but have always been on the fringes of the main social group.
Basically I should have left when I was 15 and had several home counties premier/div 2 sides asking me to join but I stayed loyal, more fool me.
Can't comment on your batting as in 2 games against you I think you got a duck both times (evening league cup and when we rolled you for 60 last season) but I'd say you and the other leggy you have were by far the best spinners in the league and can both very easily play a higher standard. If I were you I would've been pretty hacked off if I didn't open the bowling if bowling second as your seam attack is, in my opinion, distinctly average at best whenever I've faced them.
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Yeah, part of Yaya's hat trick and then denied Asif his 10fer last season.
I came through colts as a batter who bowled, gone the other way and even spent a couple of seasons basically as a specialist fielder.
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Yeah, part of Yaya's hat trick and then denied Asif his 10fer last season.
I came through colts as a batter who bowled, gone the other way and even spent a couple of seasons basically as a specialist fielder.
If you bat.. top six... if you bowl 6+ overs then 7+ is acceptable. Anything else and simply move clubs as you’re being abused.
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I won't be playing this year as not returning to the UK in the summer (based in the US) as we've got a baby on the way, so my goal is to vicariously live my cricket life through you lot and my team at home online.
I'll tap a ball up in the garden on Saturdays to keep me entertained.
Go well everyone!
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If you bat.. top six... if you bowl 6+ overs then 7+ is acceptable. Anything else and simply move clubs as you’re being abused.
Often bowling maybe 6 overs a week and batting 8-11. I've moved club to a much higher level, going into firsts. May not mean much but on our fantasy cricket im the same value as our clubs first international (Bryony Smith).
EDIT: moving club to a much higher level I can accept that I will bat 7/8 and bowl, issue at my old club was that I was a hugely better batsman than I got credit for and proved it whenever we needed runs down the order.
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1) Persuade wife that she is capable of looking after 2 babies under 24 months of age every Saturday.
2) Failing that 'arrange' business trips over weekends and hope hangover has gone by Sunday night.
3) If 1 or 2 is successful then pray for rain and get on the beers.
4) Cricket?
Feel your pain. Just coming out the other end of this. I'm setting sights on just getting on a pitch this summer for some T20. Gently broke back in with going to nets. Now using the line... it's only for a few hours. Next season... the dream is an afternoon game. Dream big @meats
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1) Persuade wife that she is capable of looking after 2 babies under 24 months of age every Saturday.
2) Failing that 'arrange' business trips over weekends and hope hangover has gone by Sunday night.
3) If 1 or 2 is successful then pray for rain and get on the beers.
4) Cricket?
If I remember rightly, surely not breaking fingers should be on there somewhere?
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If I remember rightly, surely not breaking fingers should be on there somewhere?
You remember rightly...certainly don't fancy another op resulting in 2 wires sticking out of my little finger again.
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Feel your pain. Just coming out the other end of this. I'm setting sights on just getting on a pitch this summer for some T20. Gently broke back in with going to nets. Now using the line... it's only for a few hours. Next season... the dream is an afternoon game. Dream big @meats
I have a horrible feeling I might be limited to the odd evening work game this year but will try and get a pass for the odd afternoon game.
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Trying to not set any specific targets found that demotivated me last year after a pretty productive 2016 season.
General aims...
Currently open the batting but become 5th bowler (Used to be a seamer/all rounder but also bowl some ok spin)
Push for promotion out of div won into the ECB pre league
Get the team over the line in at least one game (Always get close but have never walked off 80/90/100*)
Get a ton in any format!!!
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I had very poor season last year year. I kept getting in and then making silly mistakes to get out. I just need give my self a bit more time at the crease and hopefully the results should come.
My bowling has come on in the last few years so hopefully I can continue that trend. I bowl gentle medium pace, I want to keep things tight and hopefully by doing that I can build pressure and pick some wickets up.
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In terms of numbers, i will probably play 15 (out of 18) league games this year (due to Holiday and Weddings/Stag do's etc...) so 500 runs is always a good starting point. Score at least one 100, be involved in a 100 opening partnership, and that partnership average 40 at the end of the year.
I will definitely re-assess after a few games as i feel with the weather the pitches early season are going to be a bit dicey facing the new cherry :( :o
My keeping will take care of itself.... it always does.
This season more than anything is going to be around adapting to the new league format of win/lose and 40 overs (was 44) - my game is not naturally suited to this (i am more Cook than Stokes) so i am going to have to think about how to bat in this.
We also have a new captain (my opening batting partner), so he is going to need a lot of support on the pitch as he has no captaincy experience at all, so have that to think about as well.
And lastly - fitness.... it's another season older for me and my ever falling apart body.... through winter nets this year i am definitely stiffer afterwards, so it will be interesting how the season goes fitness wise, and makes me more determined than ever to find a replacement 1st team keeper sooner rather than later - so i can retire to the slips!!
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With my first season at the new club for the second half of the season I ended up taking a wicket every ten balls.
Last season I concentrated on getting the runs conceded down. That worked out ok.
This season I want to combine both while continuing the (every so slowly creeping) upwards of my batting average. Can’t blame the willow.
This is the Custom Bowlers Forum right?
Just checked my bowling figures from last year so I know what to aim at. Average 10.12 with an Ec rate of 3.58.
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My last season was after a break of almost a decade however was lucky to score two centuries, one in a friendly and other in a t20 game. Would be satisfied to have same form this year as well :)
Biggest goal will be to remain fit this year. My knee, shoulder and tennis elbow are acting up and threatening my 2018 season though
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Considering we haven't had a dry week in London since October, I'm just looking forward to the painful 30* off 100 balls that I'm going to eke out in the first game of the season :D
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Try to play the whole season (without breaking my finger this time...)
Part 2 failed...
I'll revise me goal to playing the whole season without spending too much on strapping... :-[
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set myself targets at start of the season and some have been ok and some way off the mark and after a shocker at the weekend ive been re-evaluating what i want ot get out of the rest of the season.
ive broken it down into 3 categories - batting, bowling and fielding (obviously)
Fielding - regain my place in the cordon on a Saturday, have more dedicated fielding practice at nets (hopefully people will assist with this) and have a run out to my name either saturday, sunday or midweek. take 90% of my catch chances - currently 4/6 so work to do here.
Bowling - 30 wickets @ less than 5 runs per over over midweek sunday and saturday cricket. less bad action balls, prevent the floated delivery and maintain my action all season
batting - this is a tricky one, so im going to break it down into saturdays midweeks and sundays as i bat in very different positions.
Saturdays (league cricket) - bat at 10/11 would like to be 7/8 by the end of the season however there are a lot of better batsmen to go past first so im going to plan to stay where i am so i want to be not out in 75% of my innings and score at least 10 per innings and average somewhere between 15 and 20 (accounting for being stranded/(No Swearing Please)). if i can do that i should fulfill my next aim which is to get the team to the win/next batting point if chasing and the next batting point or the next 10 runs if setting etc
Sundays - i will bat anywhere in the order - by the end of the season i want to be averaging 30 with at least 1 50 and a new high score (currently 61*)
midweek - hit a 6, never hit one in adult cricket so simple aim to hit a 6, i dont bat very often so when i do its normally tee off from ball 1 so yeah hit a 6
im going to review these again at the half way point of the season and see how im getting on and re-evaluate from there!
if anyone has any advice about going over the top that would be great too!!!!
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how is everyone getting on with their targets?
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Considering we haven't had a dry week in London since October, I'm just looking forward to the painful 30* off 100 balls that I'm going to eke out in the first game of the season :D
It was 43 off about 90 balls, so I’m ahead of the curve.
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set myself targets at start of the season and some have been ok and some way off the mark and after a shocker at the weekend ive been re-evaluating what i want ot get out of the rest of the season.
ive broken it down into 3 categories - batting, bowling and fielding (obviously)
Fielding - regain my place in the cordon on a Saturday, have more dedicated fielding practice at nets (hopefully people will assist with this) and have a run out to my name either saturday, sunday or midweek. take 90% of my catch chances - currently 4/6 so work to do here.
Bowling - 30 wickets @ less than 5 runs per over over midweek sunday and saturday cricket. less bad action balls, prevent the floated delivery and maintain my action all season
batting - this is a tricky one, so im going to break it down into saturdays midweeks and sundays as i bat in very different positions.
Saturdays (league cricket) - bat at 10/11 would like to be 7/8 by the end of the season however there are a lot of better batsmen to go past first so im going to plan to stay where i am so i want to be not out in 75% of my innings and score at least 10 per innings and average somewhere between 15 and 20 (accounting for being stranded/(No Swearing Please)). if i can do that i should fulfill my next aim which is to get the team to the win/next batting point if chasing and the next batting point or the next 10 runs if setting etc
Sundays - i will bat anywhere in the order - by the end of the season i want to be averaging 30 with at least 1 50 and a new high score (currently 61*)
midweek - hit a 6, never hit one in adult cricket so simple aim to hit a 6, i dont bat very often so when i do its normally tee off from ball 1 so yeah hit a 6
im going to review these again at the half way point of the season and see how im getting on and re-evaluate from there!
if anyone has any advice about going over the top that would be great too!!!!
I HIT A 6!!
Not in midweek cricket but Saturday league cricket! God it’s nice to get that monkey off my back!! The first ever in hardball cricket!
Saturday batting I’m now averaging 15 so need to maintain this!
So a couple of goals this season well on track and hard work to happen on a few more
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General
- Manage my knee injury properly so i can at least play this season! (Going to be difficult to quantify, but to put a number on it i'd like to play at least 15 games)
Bowling
- Take at least 15 wickets (Provided my knee doesn't stop me from bowling)
- Start going at less than 4 an over (I value a lower economy over wickets, as we have plenty of wicket takers in our team, just nobody who can keep it tight)
Batting
- Score 250 runs (I think i barely broke three figures last season, but after much work on my batting i'd like to think i'm ready to start scoring more)
- Score a 50 (A slightly more optimistic one, but nevertheless one i'll very much try to achieve)
I'll come back mid-season to review them! If my knee stops me playing all together, then i'll have to take up scoring instead *shudder*
Well... probably a good time to come back and review this!
My ambition of scoring a 50 this year looked to be lost, as my top score before yesterday had been 23 in the 3 years i've played cricket. Most of the early season i spent stuck down at 7/8, and then when i did get moved up the order about 4/5 weeks ago, i kept making 15-20 and then getting myself out. Yesterday i finally got to 50, and then 40 minutes later got to 100!
Finally had a bit of luck go my way as i inside edged it millimeters from my stumps early on, and then flashed one over gully when i was on 15. Then i didn't give a single chance away until i was on 98 as i was dropped pulling the ball to midwicket! Swept their opening bowler over midwicket for 4 next over to reach my ton, and eventually holed out for 105.
Just been given the scorebook and it seems i scored 84 of my 105 in 4's! with a couple of 2's and 17 singles. Everything just seemed to come off the middle, and i scored loads through the leg side for once, as they kept bowling short or on my legs!
Easily the best feeling i've had in cricket, hoping i can score a few more in the last couple of games! I doubled my season run total yesterday
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Top stuff @NT50 , congrats mate!
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cheers mate :D
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great question!
I would like to average 20+ with the bat with at least a couple of decent (for me) innings of 35+.
My team has just been promoted and felt a bit out of my depth in the last division so just hoping not to embarrass myself or be a liability to the team really.
Wouldn't mind being given a few more overs to bowl this year and would like wicket average to be lower than batting average :)
My season has now finished and Ive reflected on my targets. bit of a mixed bag really.
Had a disappointing season overall with the bat and only averaged 15.
Managed a few scores of 30+ but only 1 50 this year. Still, as this is only the second time I've reached 50+ in my life I should be thankful.
Bowled 50 overs so pleased with that. Starting to be acknowledged as a genuine bowling option in my team.
20 wickets at 12.4
Batting average higher than bowling average which I'm pleased with.
And, after spending hundreds buying a kippax collosus, blank bats b20 and an aldred butterfly to try I've finally settled on using my £10 car boot bargain bat (for now....)
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Just got some contacts as it turns out one of my eyes is so bad my brain has started ignoring it.... Might explain why my batting had gone down the pan.
I’m hoping these help and I can get my average back into the 30’s. Hoping to get another ton this year too but think that’s another year off.
Bowling I’m hoping to continue the progress with my leggies and become a regular bowler at my new club.
Not a bad year for me on these. Averaged 31 for the year. 43 if you just take league games which I’m pretty chuffed with. Got bowled for 79 playing a stupid shot that I’ve never been any good at when a 100 was there for the taking so unfortunately missed that second target.
Bowling I bowled 10 overs in every league game I played. Went at 3.3 an over and had an average of 17.8 for the season.
Happy with my performances this year and really enjoyed my first season at a new club. Hoping to kick on again next season and increase the amount of games I’m able to play.
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We’ve got one game left,,,I’m kinda glad as I’m knackered
My overall fitness is not bad, it’s just my bodies knackered
I’m chuffed to still be playing, so that’s always one goal ticked off
Kids and the missus have enjoyed coming to watch, so that’s another tick to the box
I’m also luck to play with a cracking bunch,,,another big tick
We just won the league, so another tick
First year I’ve bowled over a hundred overs, so well chuffed with that, 8.2avg with 31 wickets
Batting I’m at 62avg, so not too bad, 500 plus runs for the season, which I’m disappointed at, but hey ho
I’ll blame the bat
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I had a pretty lean season in general in 2017, my only big runs coming in friendly fixtures, time spent chasing flying discs meant I had no rhythm with the ball. Only thing that went well last season was fielding- my fitness and speed improved a lot with my s&c programmes!
Goals for the coming season, as stated to Ansty, are for a 30 wicket season, contributing to a couple of wins with the bat and generally pulling my weight as we aim to win the division and return to the premier division.
I want to have good stats behind me hopefully going overseas next winter, CricX are currently working to find me a club in New Zealand.
Partly I want to prove to myself that I can hack it at a higher level after being held back/belittled at my previous club for years. I also want to prove to Sussex that I was worth having a look at through the open trials they ran- was rejected for not being the level they were after despite being tapped up by a side also aiming to win Division 2 and going into the 1s of a team that was in the premier division last season.
So ahead of the last game of the season, to be honest I've had a pretty poor season.
18 league wickets, 5 in 2s and 13 in 1s, isn't a great return. Plenty of catches dropped off me, and a few games where I got a couple of overs when teams were going hard in a chase or only got 1 over. For the overs I've bowled 18 is OK, but I'm disappointed by the lack of overs I've had.
11 catches puts me top of the club stats, which is satisfying as I have worked hard on that this season, only missing one proper chance and two quarter chances all season.
Batting is best consigned to lack of form exacerbated by lack of training and opportunity. I've only reached double figures three times in the league, once in 2s, but have had maybe 6 or 7 games where I haven't batted, 4 ducks and a match winning hit in one game.
Hopefully form picks up in Port Lincoln!
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Funny you should reply to this @Calzehbhoy
My ton was against your old club’s 3’s!
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We ended up being relegated and the pain in my spinning finger meant I basically didn't bowl at all all year but concentrating a bit more on my batting paid off, even if I under performed if I look back at my dismissals this season.
This is my 3rd season since coming back to cricket:
2016: 9 innings, 74 runs @ 9.25 with a top score of 22
2017: 14 innings, 142 runs @ 10.92 with a top score of 32
2018: 10 innings, 201 runs @ 22.33 with a top score of 54 (My first ever fifty and I've gone from scoring 4-5% of the teams runs to 11+% this season. It doesn't seem like much but it's pretty good for someone that never bothered paying attention to his batting before.)
I had hoped to get two fifties this season but the season is over, I'll have to try and get into a couple of the remaining Sunday games to try and get to that goal.
Next season I need to work on being more selfish and not worrying so much about run rates and targets and just focus on converting 20 and 30s into 50s, 60s , 70s etc.
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Funny you should reply to this @Calzehbhoy
My ton was against your old club’s 3’s!
Batted mate! At your place or at Roxbaston?
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Last season I broke my arm in March, missed the whole of pre season and the first few games, and still finished top run scorer.
I averaged 36 across 8 innings as an opener, which sounds great but in reality meant I pretty much scored 30-40 every week but only bagged one 50. I also find myself in the strange position of playing as a specialist batsman whereas I've been a keeper/bat for the last 10 years.
Anyway, this season I'm targeting 500 runs for the league season which should put me in the league's top 3 batsmen. I'm yet to figure out my best fielding position - I often find myself in the slips by virtue of being a keeper, but I'm also one of the more athletic and like diving about, so I could end up in the covers instead. Either way, I'm looking for 10 catches.
Well this didn’t go to plan.
6 innings, 147 runs at 24.5 with my only 50 coming on a Sunday. 2 catches and a run out. Then I broke my foot and I haven’t played since. There’s only one league game left and if we win, we’re promoted so I’m not even sure I’ll get picked.
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Well this didn’t go to plan.
6 innings, 147 runs at 24.5 with my only 50 coming on a Sunday. 2 catches and a run out. Then I broke my foot and I haven’t played since. There’s only one league game left and if we win, we’re promoted so I’m not even sure I’ll get picked.
What’s more, two of the sides in our league have picked up ex-Indian first class players and both of them have scored 1000 runs this season. 500 would have still put me 5th though.
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Batted mate! At your place or at Roxbaston?
At our place thankfully!
Was a very weird game in that they had one end where they bowled their best bowlers and the other end they bowled pure dross!
Not sure if you ever played with a guy called Pravin, but he’s apparently announced his retirement after his own team (and ours) slated him for continually stealing strike and turning down walkable singles! Was one of the most selfish things I’ve ever seen!
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We’ve got one game left,,,I’m kinda glad as I’m knackered
My overall fitness is not bad, it’s just my bodies knackered
I’m chuffed to still be playing, so that’s always one goal ticked off
Kids and the missus have enjoyed coming to watch, so that’s another tick to the box
I’m also luck to play with a cracking bunch,,,another big tick
We just won the league, so another tick
First year I’ve bowled over a hundred overs, so well chuffed with that, 8.2avg with 31 wickets
Batting I’m at 62avg, so not too bad, 500 plus runs for the season, which I’m disappointed at, but hey ho
I’ll blame the bat
Great season mate! It's been fun standing at non-strikers end watching. Have leant to watch you carefully as I do have to move quickly when you middle one in my direction!
I feel I have played a minor part in your fitness regime.....due to me not hitting the ball hard enough to reach the boundary!!
I reckon next season will be just as good mate!
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I’ve enjoyed it too Pete 👍
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The most important thing @Northern monkey is to capitalise on this and play again next season - wonky body or not.
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Gotta show these youngsters how to hit a ball and bowl in swinging Yorkers
I always said I’d carry on as long as my eyes were still ok, so I’ll give it another year Brucie
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I had a shocker of a season last year, so early season I'll just be aiming for time at the crease! Beyond that I'm not too fussed about how many I get overall, but I want to play a good number of significant knocks and get back into the habit of batting long.
Bowling, I've had a couple of years of not bowling much so get plenty of overs in is the target, I know I'll take wickets if I do. Be disappointed if I can't get 20+.
Oh, and get promoted!
Well... end of season review time. Definitely an improvement on last year, more than 3x as many runs and several good length knocks so I'm more than happy there. Got my first ton and followed it up with a second, made up about that. Opened all year which definitely helped compared to moving about a lot the few seasons previous. I think every time I made it past the fourth over I top scored, so that's both a positive thing and something I can work on! Topped our runscoring charts by a good margin but looks like I've missed out on the batting trophy as average is a factor, never mind I suppose.
Bowling was mixed, started the season well but then a combination of new bowlers joining the club, me taking the gloves at times and my usual swing/seam fare being a little bit fodder-ish on flat ones in 30 degree heat meant my overs dropped off through the year. Not too upset about that to be honest as it's unrealistic to expect to be getting many overs when the ball's new while I'm opening the batting every week, but might mean I need to work on things a bit to adjust to bowling at different times.
Just missed out on promotion unfortunately, but we had a good year despite dreadful availability at times. Should be in pole position next season so fingers crossed. All in all a good year!
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With the league season over I'm not entirely satisfied with my personal returns, but I didn't do too badly all things considered.
I won the 2nd XI bowling award with 20 poles.
I'm a bit disappointed with my average being 30.5 and my economy rate 5.17, but that's the kind of season it was. Due to the weather most pitches were roads and scores of 250+ in 45 overs were the norm.
I also got to play in the 1st XI for the last game of the season, taking 2-49 to see us over the line for a full points victory. That meant I ended up with 22 league victims at 29.75
With just friendly games left to play I've not got long left to make a significant contribution with the bat...
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Had a look at our stats this morning.
The two bowlers above me in the 1s for wickets taken bowled 152 overs for 22 wickets and 112 for 19. I bowled 71 for 16. I may be a bit more expensive, going at 5.8 in the firsts, but I will get wickets!
Taking this into account I'm a bit happier than I was with my seasons efforts, especially with being top of the catching charts. Batting wasn't my best though, and I want to improve on that in Aus.
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Last few seasons stats for comparison and mostly for my benefit when looking at season goals:
2017
305 runs at 20, 2x50
18 wickets at 24 econ 5.7
2016
367 at 22 2x50
22at 15.5 econ 5.5
2015
476 at 28 3x50
13 at 24 econ 5.8
2014
227 at 16 2x50
16 at 23 econ 5.3
General
- Just play plenty of games, Kid number two issue due to arrive in August and from July I'll be away tue-thu with work so won't make any training sessions.
Bowling
- 20 wickets, econ below 5.5
Batting
- Score a ton!
- 350 runs for the season
3 games to go, 1 of which I'll miss and I'm sitting on:
274 runs at 21
23 wickets at 17, Econ 5.8, could have been a bit more economical but have bowled at the death a fair bit more then I'm used to or would like to.
Had a horrid 1st half of the season, have changed a few things and gone ok in the second, overall a bit disappointing, but notice that not training has a stronger effect on my batting than my bowling.
Haven't come remotely close to a ton, having only passed 50 once in a T20.
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We ended up being relegated and the pain in my spinning finger meant I basically didn't bowl at all all year but concentrating a bit more on my batting paid off, even if I under performed if I look back at my dismissals this season.
This is my 3rd season since coming back to cricket:
2016: 9 innings, 74 runs @ 9.25 with a top score of 22
2017: 14 innings, 142 runs @ 10.92 with a top score of 32
2018: 10 innings, 201 runs @ 22.33 with a top score of 54 (My first ever fifty and I've gone from scoring 4-5% of the teams runs to 11+% this season. It doesn't seem like much but it's pretty good for someone that never bothered paying attention to his batting before.)
I had hoped to get two fifties this season but the season is over, I'll have to try and get into a couple of the remaining Sunday games to try and get to that goal.
Next season I need to work on being more selfish and not worrying so much about run rates and targets and just focus on converting 20 and 30s into 50s, 60s , 70s etc.
Ended up getting a game for our WCL 2nd XI (I'm normally in the 3rd/4ths). Came in at 8, scored 41 as we were bowled out for 126. I forgot my aims for the year otherwise I'd have nurdled it around for a few overs and made sure I got my half century, what a wally!
Have to hope we are short of players again this Saturday as that'll be my last chance to get some runs this year.