Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: six and out on April 02, 2022, 11:49:26 AM
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Thought I would get this thread started for this season....
Is anyone playing this weekend? Or everyone starting next weekend, I see the Village Cup prelims are next Sunday.
We have a pre-season game next Saturday and the league starts the following Saturday 16th.
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1st game yesterday.
Pre-season friendly against a side in the same division as us. We won easily by 125 runs after scoring 287-5 off our 45 overs, in very very cold weather. Our young aussie overseas getting 95* and 2 for, which was great for him because he was ultra nervous before the game.
I got 17, felt good then crap shot on an April wicket, so typical pre-season game innings really. New Keeley sounded amazing on a couple of shots which was also great.
Now aching, and my body remembering what this feels like on Sunday. Lol.
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First friendly yesterday and my first time captaining the side as our skipper was still playing football.
Managed to get everyone outside the top 4 a bowl as the oppo posted 235 off their 40. I kept and felt I did very well barring the first few overs. I haven’t done anything keeping wise over the winter and the first 5 overs I felt like I was using somebody else’s hands! Kept snatching at the ball and not taking one cleanly. Though once I stood up to the wicket everything came back to me. Took a good catch down the leg-side stood up which I was very happy with as the batsman was walking down the wicket. Let 13 byes through but 10 (including two lots of 4) of them would have been wides in any league game.
We batted second and raced along to 75-0 off 13. I batted 4 and made 30-odd as we feel about 50 or so short. Felt quite rusty with the bat and was struggling with anything off the front foot. All our top 4 managed 30+ including our 16 year-old opener who got his 50 retired.
A good game against a good bunch of blokes!
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Tough start for us yesterday in what is definitely a transitional year. Over the winter we’ve lost 6 of last seasons 1st xi for various reasons including 5 of the top 7, and have struggled to replace them. I’ve gone from volunteering to play 2nds last summer as we were stacked to being the 1s vice and leading the spin attack. From our league winning side of 2019, only three of the regular xi are still at the club now.
Personally yesterday went ok, 1/43 from 9 as the oppo got 278ao in 44. Couple of missed stumpings and one snick behind that I didn’t hear but the bat later admitted to nicking. Fielded pretty well in general, missed a half chance running back and diving full length but otherwise tidy. With the bat went in at 9, got 13 from 15 and felt in really good order then caught getting under one trying to go over the infield. They were the better team, play a division higher than us, and were mostly full strength whilst we had a very experimental side. Some positives to take but a tough season incoming.
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What’s the reason to have lost 5 of top 7 and 6 Xi players
Seems very bizarre they all left at the same time ?
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First game of the season for me yesterday in week 2 of our league season. Played local rivals and we had 4 regulars missing at a wedding and stag do’s.
They also had a couple missing due to being still the last week of the football season.
Anyway bowled them out for 111 in 31 overs. New ball bowling from us this season has been superb, had oppo 10-3 last week and 17-4 this week after 10 overs. They had a little partnership middle order before a couple of bonus wickets. 2 balls in 3 juat back of a length just shot along the floor and unfortunately for the two oppo batters ( away game for us so there track) they were straight and that basically ended there innings.
Opened up which I was relegated from last season but bother the now openers where at the wedding, managed 53* and we chased it down for the loss of 2 wickets in 29 overs.
Overall good day and good way to start the season personally. First win for the club this season
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What’s the reason to have lost 5 of top 7 and 6 Xi players
Seems very bizarre they all left at the same time ?
Three who live in London and travelled out have moved to other clubs (playing 1s at North Middlesex) or not playing now, another has moved to Basingstoke so has joined Hook I believe. Another was our domestic pro who has moved far enough north that he can’t travel down to Bucks. Last one is the previous 1s skipper who had a few fallings out with the club hierarchy, but personally I’m gutted he has gone as he is a thoroughly decent guy.
Means that we have a very young side now - besides myself, our Saffa and Kiwi (all 28), we only have a couple of guys over 30 and the rest are 16-19 so brilliant experience for them.
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Convincing start from us this year against one of the bigger clubs in the league, who will be up there come end of the season. We just missed out on promotion last year by 1 win, 100% due to our batting. We failed to chase low scores in a couple of games, which ultimately cost us in the end. Strengthened over the winter and we're looking good so far. Bowled them out for 149, chased it down in 20 overs with 1 wicket down. A big DNB from me, but happy with the win.
I stepped down as Captain over the winter, and it was refreshing to just be a player again. Onwards and upwards. Hopefully.
In case anyone is interested, there's a new podcast by a team in our league this year. They did a good season preview with some opposition captains last week. Worth a listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/5X3xoWQD2jdV8JYbwCLPLe
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Weirdest end to a game I’ve ever seen today. Was in with the number 7 and we needed 38 from 4.3 overs. Captains had agreed pre-game to play league regs, and suddenly we only needed 8 to win from 4.3 because they oppo were miles behind the over rate. We had started 10-0 due to penalties for running in the wicket as well. Snuck home by 2 wickets. Personally bowled well, 1/42 from 10 on a very high scoring ground with a very short boundary one side.
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Had our first friendly today for the Sunday team I was meant to be captaining this season (but won’t be due to moving away soon)
We batted first and got off to a very slow start. Personally came in at 4 and hit 30 odd off about 70 balls. We ended up on about 140 after our 40. They brought their overseas who got absolutely pumped bowling yesterday and preceded to let him run in and bowl full pelt at a team that plays 7 divisions below their first team. He was about 10mph too quick for me and after I’d guided one through gully for 4 he bowled a couple of bouncers and I gloves one to the keeper.
We had loads of youngsters playing and a few up them picked up wickets as they chased it 6 down in 25 overs. Our 13 year-old keeper playing his first men’s game also took a couple of good catches, though we dropped 4 in the field which is less than our average last season 🤦🏻
First game as skipper went ok, managed to get everyone a bat or bowl. Need to trust myself a bit more though, said I was going to go in at short cover but didn’t, two balls later the lad chips a ball to exactly where I would have put myself. Then I nearly put myself back in slip to a bloke who was wafting outside off but decided against it, next ball he snicks one through first slip!
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Having missed week 1 of the Jersey season due to the after effects of covid, I played 2s yesterday. We batted first and got up to 220-6 off 40 overs.Nothing much happened apart from the last over, when the first 3 balls went for 6, but no Sobers repeat for our number 7.
The oppo struggled to get going and were 80 odd for 2 off 20 when i started. Having not bowled a ball since Feb i was a bit apprehensive about how it would come out. Shouldn't have worried as i took 3-35 off my 8 plus a run out (including it on my figures lol) and cleaned up the middle order. They were 160 ao off 36 and except for a bruised hand, no major injuries (a bonus at my age!).
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First match, one drop at mid on. Bowler wanted me more square, shot is played quite straight. I run for it, get my left hand to it and the damn ball just lobs out of my hand. If I had just gone for it one handed, I might have made it stuck. Batting was better. Coming in at 9, scored 11 off 11. Mixed feelings kind of day.
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Our first game of the season was a five-hour round trip to play in the Scottish Challenge Cup - a national cup competition below the Scottish Cup for teams of a lower standard than the main Scottish Cup.
Poor weather has meant not many net sessions so a lot of under prepared players.
We lost the toss and were asked to put on a slow tacky pitch. Our openers made good progress, reaching 108 for no loss. After our first wicket went down, the umpires got trigger happy and proceeded to give 5 or 6 lbw decisions. It appeared the louder you appealed the quicker the finger went up. Some really poor decisions - it was okay, we got two back when we bowled!
From a strong start we were suddenly 153-8. Our number 10 came in and smashed an unbeaten 61 to have us finish on 241-9 after 40 overs.
We made light work of the opposition batting line-up and skittled them for 35, our first change bowler picking up a 5-fer. Onto the next round.
Depending how other results go, if we make it to the third round/quarters we potentially face a 400 mile round trip for a Sunday game. Will be many unhappy partners that weekend!
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Won the toss, bowled first hoping we might get an early breakthrough. Probably should have considered our opposition haven't lost a game in three years since they entered our regional league...
275 runs for 6 wickets and 40 overs later, not my best captaincy decision. We batted alright but ended up losing by 116. Only personal redemption was my 8 overs going for only 31, not horrific in the circumstances but disappointing.
Onwards and upwards next weekend hopefully!
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Had our first league game yesterday after being relegated last season - and we got off to a solid start, winning by 180 runs!
We batted first and put 250 on the board. My opening partner proceeded to hit a 65 ball Ton in his first league game for the club! Whilst i plodded along for 37 at the other end. I was basically just getting singles and watching the carnage from the other end.
In reply we had them 10-3 off 10 overs as our two opening bowlers tied them down. After a steady flow of wickets they were all out for 60 something
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Somehow we managed to defend 88 in 40 overs on an absolute minefield of a track.
Thought we were buried with them 57-4 at drinks but our part-time offie pulled out an absolute blinder of a spell (3.2-0-6-4) and we sneaked it by 3 runs in the 39th over.
Team that beat us last week piled on 392 in 40 overs as well so feeling much better about our result against them 😂
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Played our second league game today - would have won comfortably were it not for the opposition dropping 4 first teamers into their second XI.
We batted first on a track that had a bit of tennis ball bounce. We got to 180 after a little collapse in the middle. Personally got myself in, did the hard work and then chipped one straight at mid off for 20-odd.
They chased it in about 30 overs. With one of their first teamers hitting 90-odd of them, he never looked in any danger.
Their first team play 3 divisions above us, but as it’s a small regional league - a one division gap is akin to 2 divisions in most bigger leagues systems. Said batsman averages about 50 in their first team and could comfortably play the division below our ECB Premier League.
A bit frustrating as we lost to a team that will likely be bottom 2/3 come the end of the season. Yet other teams will comfortably beat them when they have to field a genuine second XI.
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Another tough one for us, now rooted to bottom of the table after two games.
Bowled first and the oppo for 262/7 off their 50. I came on after 10 overs, having volunteered to take the short end (straight boundary at my club is about 45 yards one way) and apart from a few leg side sides that just didn’t grip felt in really good rhythm. Took 2/46 from my 10 bowled straight through, dismissing both openers. One was a left hander, drifted across him and took middle and off whilst he played down middle and leg, the other was a low full toss that the batter managed to scoop off the back of his bat to square leg. Also took a running catch at long on at the death.
In return we were poor, 160ao on a good batting deck. One of our team ran out two of our top bats, and other wickets were thrown away. Going in with 8 overs to go and needing 110 I managed to splice a half tracker to mid on for a five ball duck, so was disappointed with that. The top and middle order chewed up far too many dots, with the only bright spot with the bat being our keeper hitting a top notch 50. Onto the next game, and hopefully a better performance.
Was match managing/captaining for Frogs today but we only managed 21 overs due to rain. Brought myself on after a two hour rain break and cleaned up their skipper through the gate, but five overs later we were off again for good. Disappointing way to end my first game captaining Frogs, but I’m going to be running this fixture on an annual basis moving forwards which is nice as it’s one of the nicest grounds in Bucks to play at.
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League season not started yet. However, senior cup game to be had this weekend against last year's league winners - we were second. A bit of niggle between the two sides historically (before my time) so each club like to get one over the other. I've never had a problem with them.
We won the toss and chose to bowl. Opposition got off to a good start but we pegged them back with semi-regular wickets. A bit of a slasher towards the end of their innings got them to 126-7 off their allotted 30 overs.
We started steadily but nothing earth shattering. Half way we were 49-2.
Yours truly came in during the 16th over when we were 50-3. My set partner & I put on 46 over the next 7 overs, before he was stumped, to put us in a good position. The next unbroken partnership of 32 in just over 3 overs saw us over the line for a 6 wicket win with 3.2 overs to spare.
I ended up with 40 not out and sore hamstrings due to my first innings of the year. New bat from Oxfordshire Cricket Bats not in use yet. Getting there to be ready. A couple more weeks in the nets before it's unleashed.
A small reality check for me (old age calling). I went down on one knee to launch a ball toward cow corner. Luckily the ball went one bounce over the boundary as I realised, once in position, I couldn't get up again. Had to use the bat to assist getting me off one knee. Cue much laughter from the opposition wicket keeper!
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Good game this weekend, two sides with a good split of old heads and youngsters, An U13 on both sides got 50 runs which was good to see for the future of the game locally, their player who opened the batting, usually bats 10!! played really well, fair play to him.
they scored 188 on an artificial pitch that kept low, our fielding was atrocious and we had 14 dropped catches!!! one from myself but in my defence it was a one handed dive that I tipped over the crossbar like a young Pete Schmicheal. My Son had 7 drops off his bowling, I don't think I've seen a more unfortunate bowling spell in my life, had the guy plum LBW and not given, even the batter was walking off only to come back when the umpire said not out, he should have carried on walking though as he had probably the quickest ball of the day fired right into his (No Swearing Please) the very next ball, steam coming out my lads ears, finally got his man a few balls after with a vicious bouncer that he top edged to the keeper.
Now onto the chase. Some good scores from the youth but we did our absolute best to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory! I batted 4, hit two lovely pull shots and then smashed a half toss straight into the belly of mid off only for it to stick in his belly button and I was out. 1st time I've picked a bat up since the end of last season but I was feeling good! always next week!
we ended up needing 3 to win with 1 wicket remaining and plenty of balls left, typically a miss field gave us the victory!
Really enjoyable despite the absolute village nature of the day.
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finally on the right side of a game, has been a long time.
After we were bowled out for 80 last week we had to bounce back, started well with skipper losing the toss and us fielding. Pitch wasnt great for batting or pace bowling, really slow and nothing came through at all. the usual precession of dropped chances started - 4 in the first 15 overs - guilty of one myself at slip but we were so close they stick or they dont. Bowlers kept it tight but struggled to break through, once spin came on things moved a tough quicker, combination of pies, good balls, batsmens help to us resulted in 25 overs of spin 4-100 in benign conditions. those 25 overs added another 3 drops (and 2 refusals) The seamers finished the innings quickly but lower end hitting got them to 176 all out in 45, a good effort considering we only had 2 bowlers, 4 part time bowlers in the side and a keeper who doesn't keep but did a very good job in tough conditions.
The batting started predictably well, 10-2 after 5. Skipper and number 4 bat steadied and ticked over without much danger for 33 overs, getting us to 124 before number 4 nicked off and went to look for the oxygen tank. I came in at 5 needing 53 off 12, id like to say it was all done with style and finesse, but it wasnt. as the pitch got slower, they bowled even slower. So i did what all classy batsmen do, tried to hit it as hard as i could. We lost the captain for a grinding 63 with only 3 needed. game over 4 balls later with another elegant mistimed swipe into no-mans land. I finished 38 not out, will take it but it was VERY ugly.
Great spirit from both teams, not a bad word said for 90 overs and beers shared afterwards as well. on to next week, if my knees will allow
https://surreychampionship.play-cricket.com/website/results/5035701
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Our first game in WEPL 2 last week saw us take a hammering by 150 runs as their kiwi scored 192 out of 344.
After another 50 overs in the field playing against a current county/BBL player and another player bagging a very good hundred it turned out to be a great win.
Our captain finally got the monkey off his back and smashed it to all parts to see us home…I was inspirational at the other end obviously!
https://goldenhill.play-cricket.com/website/results/5013075
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Cyrus Shafi the lad who plays for Cardiff Met, Tom?
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Ian Cockbain too for Gloucestershire, is it the same one?
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Different type of team that we're facing in this league.
While umpiring I caught a bowler picking up sand from near the stumps and using it to tamper with the ball, twice. Their captain tried to quietly put back the bails he'd knocked off while playing a shot. He'd hoped nobody had noticed and took some convincing to walk off. They screamed for a run out when the guy didn't have the ball in his hands. They didn't give a run out when a guy was a meter out of his ground. Screaming for lbw's when the ball wasn't knocked out of the square.
All fun and games in a game we could have won if we'd held on to our catches.
I came on at 9, scored 18 no, took two wickets. I wasn't consistent. I need more time in the nets.
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Cyrus Shafi the lad who plays for Cardiff Met, Tom?
Yes mate, been with us since he was 8, then got sent to play for local rivals Bish as we weren’t in WEPL back then which triggered our plans to elevate the clubs 1xi to ensure we retained our county youth players.
Great lad as is his dad, his Bro also plays and will be a very good player too when he fills out fully.
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Ian Cockbain too for Gloucestershire, is it the same one?
Yep that’s the one, had a word with him on Friday night to tell him not to smash it at me or into the houses that we have just ended a 2 year “discussion” with to freshly erected 8m tall ball stop netting in front of 😂
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Different type of team that we're facing in this league.
While umpiring I caught a bowler picking up sand from near the stumps and using it to tamper with the ball, twice. Their captain tried to quietly put back the bails he'd knocked off while playing a shot. He'd hoped nobody had noticed and took some convincing to walk off. They screamed for a run out when the guy didn't have the ball in his hands. They didn't give a run out when a guy was a meter out of his ground. Screaming for lbw's when the ball wasn't knocked out of the square.
All fun and games in a game we could have won if we'd held on to our catches.
I came on at 9, scored 18 no, took two wickets. I wasn't consistent. I need more time in the nets.
what league is that? hopefully all your oppo arent like that this season
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Different type of team that we're facing in this league.
While umpiring I caught a bowler picking up sand from near the stumps and using it to tamper with the ball, twice. Their captain tried to quietly put back the bails he'd knocked off while playing a shot. He'd hoped nobody had noticed and took some convincing to walk off. They screamed for a run out when the guy didn't have the ball in his hands. They didn't give a run out when a guy was a meter out of his ground. Screaming for lbw's when the ball wasn't knocked out of the square.
All fun and games in a game we could have won if we'd held on to our catches.
I came on at 9, scored 18 no, took two wickets. I wasn't consistent. I need more time in the nets.
Never really understand the point of people playing this way, just don't see how it is enjoyable for anyone.
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Different type of team that we're facing in this league.
While umpiring I caught a bowler picking up sand from near the stumps and using it to tamper with the ball, twice. Their captain tried to quietly put back the bails he'd knocked off while playing a shot. He'd hoped nobody had noticed and took some convincing to walk off. They screamed for a run out when the guy didn't have the ball in his hands. They didn't give a run out when a guy was a meter out of his ground. Screaming for lbw's when the ball wasn't knocked out of the square.
All fun and games in a game we could have won if we'd held on to our catches.
I came on at 9, scored 18 no, took two wickets. I wasn't consistent. I need more time in the nets.
That is simply awful- would completely put me off cricket. Hope things improve for you!
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what league is that? hopefully all your oppo arent like that this season
Dutch ZaMi. Fingers crossed.
Never really understand the point of people playing this way, just don't see how it is enjoyable for anyone.
I will never understand it either. They didn't stay for beers after the game.
That is simply awful- would completely put me off cricket. Hope things improve for you!
Looking forward to the return game. Seriously. No quarters given.
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Dutch ZaMi. Fingers crossed.
I will never understand it either. They didn't stay for beers after the game.
Looking forward to the return game. Seriously. No quarters given.
Good man. Beat them on the field and play your best cricket, the way you want to play it.
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Got my first, and probably last, league game of the season. Really not feeling it.
Retired a couple of seasons ago, lockdown and covid cricket really didn't do it for me but watching early season has got interested. Had a inter-club friendly 8 a side last Sunday. Retired on 25 but had a couple of edges so not feeling in very good nick at all.
Probably will realise I am done with competitive cricket and retire again.
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After playing a couple of league games this season and scoring over 100 runs (I only play every other weekend due to seeing my daughter which has been the case for over 10 years now) iv been non selected for “not having the commitment other players have”. So no cricket for me this weekend.
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After playing a couple of league games this season and scoring over 100 runs (I only play every other weekend due to seeing my daughter which has been the case for over 10 years now) iv been non selected for “not having the commitment other players have”. So no cricket for me this weekend.
Pretty crap that. Of course selections have to take into account who is training, available every week, etc but you'd think a bit of understanding of people's family or work situations would come into it, especially if they're still performing well on a weekend.
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thats rubbish, ive had to pick and choose games this year due to family commitments and my team have been pretty good - once the 1st team skipper finally understood i wasnt going to play every 2 or 3 weekd, not net or train, then just rock up and open the batting instead of batting 5 like normal.
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Yep it’s a bit crap seeing as a few of the lads have been away from the club for a few years but come back this season so this really is the first year that we have actual selection issues. Just think to tell me it’s “commitment” is a rubbish way to do it especially when a few of his mates ( it’s become a bit clicky since new skipper took over at start of last year) actually said he would miss this week as he has other things he can do and I play every week anyway but he was told he is “invaluable” to the side.
Anyway it is what it is and I’m closer to the end of my playing days than the start so as disappointing as it is just one of those things.
Maybe time to start thinking about Sunday cricket over league cricket
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Managed the biggest chase in my 6 years at the club today. We chased down 246 off 40 overs - though they had 10 men for 30 overs as their keeper was taken away in an ambulance which wasn’t nice.
We bowled first and fielded so poorly - we must have given away a good 50 runs in the field. Our openers kept it very tight and they were only 20-2 off 10. Then their 4 came in and hit 130 comprising exclusively of slogs to cow! He hit it very cleanly and only gave away one chance which should have been caught (off my bowling, before he was on 50 of course 🤦🏻)
As the only spinner today I bowled 8 overs, 1-56. My last over went for nearly 20 exclusively in misfields which had me tearing my hair out. Did get one to rag about 2 feet through bat and pad for my wicket though!
Me & my partner went out knowing we needed a fast start and we were 60-0 off 10 before their keeper was hit. My partner was bowled as the ball clipped the top of off stump and seemed to gather pace to smash their keeper between the eyes as he was celebrating. Blood was pouring out and it was a very grim scene. An ambulance turned up 20 minutes later as he was starting to throw up. Thankfully they informed us he was feeling ok in A&E - could have been a much worse scene were it not for our two army boys sorting him out until the paramedics got there.
We carried on later and needed 90 off the last 10. I was out for just shy of 70. With our top 4 now all gone, the bowling was becoming a bit harder to put away. It came down the last over with us needing 11. After a four and a single - our number 7 hit a monster 6 to win us the game.
A massive chase and a great end to my potential last game for the club
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I have joined a new club for my 2022 season. We were the home team today. Toss done, opposition won the toss and put us to bat. I had to umpire to begin with. Batsmen ready, all the fielders ready to go and the opposition opening bowler asks for the ball and turns out we didn't had the ball with us. Our skipper went back to the clubhouse to get the balls and he couldn't find it.
The guy who is in-charge of the balls was playing away for our 1st team and they were fielding so nobody picked up the phone. Searched every part of the club for half hour and couldn't find the balls. Had to forfeit the match according to the league rules. Me playing cricket for so many clubs over the years never came across a situation like this. Absolute joke of a club.
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Managed the biggest chase in my 6 years at the club today. We chased down 246 off 40 overs - though they had 10 men for 30 overs as their keeper was taken away in an ambulance which wasn’t nice.
We bowled first and fielded so poorly - we must have given away a good 50 runs in the field. Our openers kept it very tight and they were only 20-2 off 10. Then their 4 came in and hit 130 comprising exclusively of slogs to cow! He hit it very cleanly and only gave away one chance which should have been caught (off my bowling, before he was on 50 of course 🤦🏻)
As the only spinner today I bowled 8 overs, 1-56. My last over went for nearly 20 exclusively in misfields which had me tearing my hair out. Did get one to rag about 2 feet through bat and pad for my wicket though!
Me & my partner went out knowing we needed a fast start and we were 60-0 off 10 before their keeper was hit. My partner was bowled as the ball clipped the top of off stump and seemed to gather pace to smash their keeper between the eyes as he was celebrating. Blood was pouring out and it was a very grim scene. An ambulance turned up 20 minutes later as he was starting to throw up. Thankfully they informed us he was feeling ok in A&E - could have been a much worse scene were it not for our two army boys sorting him out until the paramedics got there.
We carried on later and needed 90 off the last 10. I was out for just shy of 70. With our top 4 now all gone, the bowling was becoming a bit harder to put away. It came down the last over with us needing 11. After a four and a single - our number 7 hit a monster 6 to win us the game.
A massive chase and a great end to my potential last game for the club
Glad the guy was OK, but this is precisely why I wear a helmet keeping, you can be as good as there is but you can't control the unknowns like the ball coming off the stumps.
Sounds like a great win mate well done.
We lost again yesterday, the age old 'catches win matches' coming to effect.
Won the toss and bowled 1st, then our 1st slip dropped 2 regulation catches (both openers) in the first 3 overs with our opening bowler bowling rockets they would have been 2 for 2 if both had been taken. Oppo proceeded to 100-1 with the majority through 3rd man plus 2 more drops.
We bowled well and fielded better 2nd half and they finished off on 198-9 off their 50 overs. I got a very pleasing leg side stumping off of one of our seamers. The drops cost us a total of 110 out of that 198!!
Credit to the 2 openers from the oppo who bowled very well with good line and length with a bit of movement, both bowling 10 on the bounce. We had a few brain fades and some bad luck and collapsed to 16-5 when I smashed a leg stump full toss straight at mid-wicket for 0. I walked off literally laughing to myself and saying that I am done with cricket, I am just not enjoying it anymore.
We ended up 113 all out, with them holding all their chances including 3 stunners and a direct hit run out.
I am away next Saturday on holiday so am going to take the opportunity to have a think about what I want to do for the rest of the season.
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I have joined a new club for my 2022 season. We were the home team today. Toss done, opposition won the toss and put us to bat. I had to umpire to begin with. Batsmen ready, all the fielders ready to go and the opposition opening bowler asks for the ball and turns out we didn't had the ball with us. Our skipper went back to the clubhouse to get the balls and he couldn't find it.
The guy who is in-charge of the balls was playing away for our 1st team and they were fielding so nobody picked up the phone. Searched every part of the club for half hour and couldn't find the balls. Had to forfeit the match according to the league rules. Me playing cricket for so many clubs over the years never came across a situation like this. Absolute joke of a club.
Could be a contender for the most Village post seen on here for a while, possibly ever.
It begs the question no one at all had any new balls so at least the game could be played and 22 blokes don’t give up their Saturday for nothing-even if it’s not a league approved ball.
However I sympathise, I’m sure a few of us have had league balls with a player who does not turn up, locked behind the bar no one has a key to etc etc.
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another win for us, after 1 win all last season 2 from 3 is almost a miracle.
won the toss and batted on last weeks deck, happy days. sent the lower order to the cafe to pick us all up a coffee.
0-1, off to get my pads on. just what i needed after spending the night waiting for the missus to decide whether the baby was coming or not. fortunately 2&3 steadied and got us to 40 before the next wicket and i had a go, it didnt last long, cleaned up first ball, didnt really pick it up and off stump splattered on the deck. Ump said it was a decent nut but honestly couldnt tell you either way.
After then it was pretty steady, slow scoring on a tough deck but we made it to 179 in the last over thanks to some energetic running from the younger lads.
Most important part of any game, tea. Very good this week, not ideal for fielding second full of homemade cakes and sausage rolls.
The oppo were never really in the game with the bat, behind a the rate from the start and didnt look like getting near it at all. early wickets and holding our catches made a huge difference. only 1 drop which made selecting someone to collect match fees easy. The pitch helped a lot, variable bounce but very slow gave batters nothing to work with. our skipper bowled really well and ran through the middle/end of the innings with a 5fer, our young spinner is improving every week and only towards the end of his spell did anyone get after him, ruined his very good figures with 15 of his 9th over. i burgled 4 overs at the end and nipped one out but in reality the game had been gone for 15 overs or more by then.
Special mention to our 56 year old keeper who had a great time, despite not having kept in 15 years plus. zero byes, great entertainment, took the only chance he got, laughed the whole time.
Another game played in great spirit though, no words had, no dubious umpiring, very friendly end to the game sharing a beer, as it should be.
might be my last game for a while with the pending arrival, frustrating as this week is away at the best batting track in the league! have told her to cross her legs for a few more days.
https://ripley.play-cricket.com/website/results/5035821
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After a very unsuccessful 2021 season for Chingford Cricket Club; all 4 Saturday XIs had won their first two league matches (our club president still hasn't bought jugs for this as it is part of our tradition that when all Saturday XIs win, the president buys a jug); our first XI who avoid relegation from the Essex Premier League last season beat last season's league winners Chelmsford by 4 runs (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5236465) which was an entertaining last 10 overs which I managed to watch after guiding our 4th XI to a 2 wicket victory over South Woodford (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5292943).
Last Saturday, our 1st XI lost to Colchester & East Essex by 3 wickets (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5236471) but our other 3 XIs won; our 2nd XI beat Colchester & East Essex 2nd XI by 150 runs (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5237019), our opening batsman continuing with his sensational run of form with the bat scoring a double hundred; our 3rd XI, who also avoid relegation last season beat newly promoted West Essex 3rd XI by 61 runs (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5241253) with our opening batsman unbeaten on 99. Fortunately for me, I was not require to captain the 4th XI as our regular captain returned following family commitments and we absolutely smashed Ilford 5th XI by 212 runs (https://chingford.play-cricket.com/website/results/5292947), our number 3 South African bat scoring 160 from 30 overs; I opened the bowling with my off spin and claimed 8-3-13-2.
Our 1st XI are at home against Hadleigh & Thundersley this Saturday and hope to return to winning ways, where our other 3 XIs will continue with their winning ways.
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I have joined a new club for my 2022 season. We were the home team today. Toss done, opposition won the toss and put us to bat. I had to umpire to begin with. Batsmen ready, all the fielders ready to go and the opposition opening bowler asks for the ball and turns out we didn't had the ball with us. Our skipper went back to the clubhouse to get the balls and he couldn't find it.
The guy who is in-charge of the balls was playing away for our 1st team and they were fielding so nobody picked up the phone. Searched every part of the club for half hour and couldn't find the balls. Had to forfeit the match according to the league rules. Me playing cricket for so many clubs over the years never came across a situation like this. Absolute joke of a club.
Whilst not to this extreme, this has happened a few times with my club where the skipper has not brought a ball. when I gave up captaincy a few years ago, I told the club that I had about 4 new balls spare (but the captains didn't know), I am down to one now but have saved three people's bacon.
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Not my game this weekend, but a firm contender for the most embarrassing thing I've seen this week. Former professional cricketer Rikki Clarke boasting about bashing 200 against a local 3rd XI side - https://twitter.com/RikkiClarke81/status/1530661787519094794?t=GxI6ZcAAVYC58qQA9ERJ_g&s=19
All for pro players going back to their roots, but did he really need to A) get on to 200, B) bowl 6 overs second innings as well and C) boast about it by posting scorecard shots to Twitter?
Kind of nonsense that puts people off coming back the next week. Absolutely no time for it at all.
My team played an ex-international a few weeks ago. He was a cut above (although he copper a shocker of an LBW decision on 30 odd) but never played the big-time act, made a point of complimenting the bowlers after the match and noticeably had the self-awareness to realise he was playing below his level. All qualities sorely missing from Clarke, who I used to think was a decent enough bloke.
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Due to moving up north soon, I played what will likely be my last game for my Saturday club. I couldn’t have finished off any worse as I had the game from hell 🤦🏻
They batted first and got 220. I dropped a sharp chance at gully from the lad who went on to get 90 odd. I then gave them about 5 runs in misfields as I just couldn’t pick the ball up cleanly. Bowled 4 overs of my loopy spin which went ok considering it was at the death
I then opened the batting and crawled to 10 off about 50. I just couldn’t get the ball away and was actively trying to slog my way out of it at the end which just made it worse. To make things even worse, I then ran out our best Batsman as I hit one straight to a fielder who I didn’t see and ended up calling him through for a suicidal single.
We got pretty close in the end but I can’t help but feel my contribution may have been somewhat negative
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Not my game this weekend, but a firm contender for the most embarrassing thing I've seen this week. Former professional cricketer Rikki Clarke boasting about bashing 200 against a local 3rd XI side - https://twitter.com/RikkiClarke81/status/1530661787519094794?t=GxI6ZcAAVYC58qQA9ERJ_g&s=19
All for pro players going back to their roots, but did he really need to A) get on to 200, B) bowl 6 overs second innings as well and C) boast about it by posting scorecard shots to Twitter?
Kind of nonsense that puts people off coming back the next week. Absolutely no time for it at all.
My team played an ex-international a few weeks ago. He was a cut above (although he copper a shocker of an LBW decision on 30 odd) but never played the big-time act, made a point of complimenting the bowlers after the match and noticeably had the self-awareness to realise he was playing below his level. All qualities sorely missing from Clarke, who I used to think was a decent enough bloke.
Really dislike seeing or hearing about this, if you're clearly playing far below your level (which he is) then surely you retire at 100 and let others have a bowl. It's highly likely some of his teammates are thinking the exact same thing you are and as Alex Hales pointed out in the comments, it's not much of a team effort.
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A nice 10 wicket win for us today, including a very good first ton for our 15 year-old opener.
We bowled first and got off to an awful start as we bowled too short and let them get to 60-odd off 10. After a couple of wickets from our two first change bowlers, I gave myself a bowl and kept it tight going for 10 off my 4 overs. Their 7&9 then put on a load of runs as once again we struggled to close out the innings. They ended up on 174.
I went out to open with the aforementioned youth and we put on 175 to chase it none down! I crawled to my 50 whilst he attacked. Once I got my 50, he needed 18 of the 23 runs needed. I blocked out a couple of maidens nervously as I didn’t want to accidentally Nick one for four! Despite one of their blokes trying to bowl a wide, I managed to get him on strike and he delivered a couple of boundaries to get the milestone.
A lovely day out all in all!
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Not my game this weekend, but a firm contender for the most embarrassing thing I've seen this week. Former professional cricketer Rikki Clarke boasting about bashing 200 against a local 3rd XI side - https://twitter.com/RikkiClarke81/status/1530661787519094794?t=GxI6ZcAAVYC58qQA9ERJ_g&s=19
All for pro players going back to their roots, but did he really need to A) get on to 200, B) bowl 6 overs second innings as well and C) boast about it by posting scorecard shots to Twitter?
Kind of nonsense that puts people off coming back the next week. Absolutely no time for it at all.
My team played an ex-international a few weeks ago. He was a cut above (although he copper a shocker of an LBW decision on 30 odd) but never played the big-time act, made a point of complimenting the bowlers after the match and noticeably had the self-awareness to realise he was playing below his level. All qualities sorely missing from Clarke, who I used to think was a decent enough bloke.
I have played against that opposition. They are in County Div 2 of the Hampshire league, its their 3rd XI mostly made up of colts. Pretty poor to see an ex-county pro scoring a double hundred and then posting about it on social media.
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I have played against that opposition. They are in County Div 2 of the Hampshire league, its their 3rd XI mostly made up of colts. Pretty poor to see an ex-county pro scoring a double hundred and then posting about it on social media.
No problem with him playing for his local side. Don't see why he felt the need to smash a double hundred at a 200 strike rate and then post the scorecard on social media to his many followers. Could have just said 'great result, enjoyed playing with the lads' but he decided to give it the big-un and got defensive when he was called out on it.
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I've lost respect for him.
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I have played against that opposition. They are in County Div 2 of the Hampshire league, its their 3rd XI mostly made up of colts. Pretty poor to see an ex-county pro scoring a double hundred and then posting about it on social media.
League below the one I’m currently in. Don’t have any issue with it in my opinion. Great for the players at the club to receive professional coaching on a weekly basis, plus the club will rise as a result, encouraging more people to play there resulting in more squads and village cricket flourishing.
Considering he got 14 and 14 in his last two games, I’m not quite sure what the fuss is about. People hit double tons every week but because it’s someone who wants to give back to a local club after a career as a pro it’s all of a sudden not ok. Every club had to start somewhere and needed people like this to help secure promotions. One of there other batters has got a ton too this season but no mention of him? You best believe if I score anything more than 30 I’m plastering up on all my socials.
There are bound to be overseas players in that league who get paid a lot and do a lot less than what Rikki Clarke is giving to Shrewton. Let him get on with it.
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League below the one I’m currently in. Don’t have any issue with it in my opinion. Great for the players at the club to receive professional coaching on a weekly basis, plus the club will rise as a result, encouraging more people to play there resulting in more squads and village cricket flourishing.
Considering he got 14 and 14 in his last two games, I’m not quite sure what the fuss is about. People hit double tons every week but because it’s someone who wants to give back to a local club after a career as a pro it’s all of a sudden not ok. Every club had to start somewhere and needed people like this to help secure promotions. One of there other batters has got a ton too this season but no mention of him? You best believe if I score anything more than 30 I’m plastering up on all my socials.
There are bound to be overseas players in that league who get paid a lot and do a lot less than what Rikki Clarke is giving to Shrewton. Let him get on with it.
I agree- so much hate these days. His post has got people talking about the club, might attract new players. Folk could go and watch bringing more money to the amateur game. Don’t see a problem with it at all.
There is no rule that ex pros have to play in the prem as far as I’m aware.
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Double header for us this weekend - league game Saturday and SC Challenge Cup match on Sunday.
League game was between top two from last season (my team were runners-up). We lost toss and were asked to bat on a cold & overcast day. Cue stuttering top order which had us about 60-7. A great partnership of just over 50 had us end on 118-8. About 20 runs short, we thought.
Our bowlers did a great job and regularly picked up wickets, eventually taking the last with the opposition all out on 103. Will be hard to see the league title going to a team outside of the two of us. Hopefully, we get the title this year but a long way to go.
Most of the (sore) bodies doubled up for the cup game on Sunday. A slight delay due to rain meant the scoring was going to be low on this ground - the outfield was attempted to be cut in the morning but the volume of rain put a stop to that. A par score is usually about 220.
We won the toss and asked opposition to bat - which could've been dangerous considering their opening bat scored 230 in the previous round. Luckily, we got him lbw for under 10. Although wickets were hard to come by, the run rate was low. A fine 49 by their captain the highlight of their innings. I never bowl, so for my captain to throw me the ball and ask me for a couple of overs was a shock. Eight overs on the bounce told me I was going to be in agony today (I am). We restricted them to 131-5 off their 40.
Our chase started slowly but we kept wickets in hand. At the half-way stage, we were about 50-1. A couple of wickets saw the run rate accelerate. A partnership between myself (19no) and our number three (62) of 44 in 7 overs turned the game in our favour. We got home with 6 balls to spare to progress to the quarter finals - and a 400 mile round trip to come to play the game!
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Cricket is weird. How an ex-international player one season out of retirement flogging around a club 3s is seen as anything other than embarrassing is beyond me!
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Knowing the club and quite a few of it's members, I really don't see the issue with him playing at the level he is.
- He lives in Shrewton.
- His son plays for their junior section (he's even scored some of the kids games, how many parents are willing to do that?!)
- He's helped with their senior and junior coaching all winter.
- He's mucked in for cricketforce/club days.
Why can't people just accept that maybe he does genuinely just want to support his local club? He isn't paid a penny for any of his time at Shrewton, and as I understand on good authority, he was offered in excess of £400 a week by another club locally who play at a much higher standard.
So what's the real issue here? Rikki Clarke refusing to be paid and playing in Hants Div 2 for his local club? Or the clubs trying to offer him £400+ to play cricket for a team he has no interest in supporting? I'd much rather see ex-pros like Rikki playing for their local sides, whatever the level their 1st XI happen to be in at the time, instead of yet more artificially "strong" clubs filled with players who have no actual interest in the club they play for apart from who will pay them the most cash.
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Not sure anybody has expressed an issue with him playing for his local club, bit unnecessary to smash a double ton against someone else's 3rd team at around two a ball and then post scorecard photos on social media to your thousands of followers though?
All just comes across as a bit mean-spirited to the opposition, regardless of the good work he does for his own club.
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Bragging on Twitter is at least part of the issue?
But I support your point about 'artificially strong' clubs. I hate the quasi-professionalisation of recreational cricket.
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Knowing the club and quite a few of it's members, I really don't see the issue with him playing at the level he is.
- He lives in Shrewton.
- His son plays for their junior section (he's even scored some of the kids games, how many parents are willing to do that?!)
- He's helped with their senior and junior coaching all winter.
- He's mucked in for cricketforce/club days.
Why can't people just accept that maybe he does genuinely just want to support his local club? He isn't paid a penny for any of his time at Shrewton, and as I understand on good authority, he was offered in excess of £400 a week by another club locally who play at a much higher standard.
So what's the real issue here? Rikki Clarke refusing to be paid and playing in Hants Div 2 for his local club? Or the clubs trying to offer him £400+ to play cricket for a team he has no interest in supporting? I'd much rather see ex-pros like Rikki playing for their local sides, whatever the level their 1st XI happen to be in at the time, instead of yet more artificially "strong" clubs filled with players who have no actual interest in the club they play for apart from who will pay them the most cash.
Supporting the club and promoting it is absolutely fine. Much needed in village cricket even. But did he really have to score a double hundred knowing that his skill level is leagues above the rest? If an amateur cricketer had done it, definitely something to boast about. But does an ex-county pro really need to do it? He could have just done a decent thing and retired after a 100.
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No that's a fair point, did he need to go and post it on Twitter... probably not and it won't have helped people's views on it.
As for retiring at 100, one of our lads got 156* the other week - should he have retired at 100 just because he's a bit decent? I get he's clearly above the standard, no one is arguing that, but he also averaged 14 for the first 2 fixtures he's played so it's not like this is happening week in week out. No one seemed to care he was playing the weeks he didn't score runs...
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No that's a fair point, did he need to go and post it on Twitter... probably not and it won't have helped people's views on it.
As for retiring at 100, one of our lads got 156* the other week - should he have retired at 100 just because he's a bit decent? I get he's clearly above the standard, no one is arguing that, but he also averaged 14 for the first 2 fixtures he's played so it's not like this is happening week in week out. No one seemed to care he was playing the weeks he didn't score runs...
A bit decent? :D
We play against shrewton 2s later in the season. I am tempted to openly invite him to play for the 2s against us. Its just a couple of divisions below. Any publicity is good publicity. Imagine if we get him out cheaply! :D
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No that's a fair point, did he need to go and post it on Twitter... probably not and it won't have helped people's views on it.
As for retiring at 100, one of our lads got 156* the other week - should he have retired at 100 just because he's a bit decent? I get he's clearly above the standard, no one is arguing that, but he also averaged 14 for the first 2 fixtures he's played so it's not like this is happening week in week out. No one seemed to care he was playing the weeks he didn't score runs...
I don't think he should retire having scored a ton, nor that he shouldn't be playing. He seems to be doing the right things for the club, so no issues at all with him playing. He has as much right as anyone else to play wherever he wants. If he was bowling rockets at people who were way below his level and therefore endangering them, I'd have an issue. This isn't the case tho here.
Personally, just think putting the scorecard on was maybe ill advised and comes across as a little narcissistic. However, i don't know him personally so in no way saying that's how he is. It will just smack of it a little for some looking at it from the outside. For balance, a few weeks ago when he only scored a few and someone else got 130 odd, he posted the below. If he had posted a similar post when he got a double ton, i doubt it would have received the same negative reaction as him posting the actual scorecard....
(https://i.postimg.cc/852SZWPW/Screenshot-20220531-121233-Samsung-Internet.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGzZ9vFq)
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I heard Morne Morkel was joining this club. Don't know if he has yet?
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I thought he was just saying he loved the bud there. ;)
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Played my first ever T20 tonight despite playing cricket for god knows how many years (Well, 16 overs but you get the point!) I was playing up a team which is a little bit beyond my standard.
Was down to bat 7 and keep. I’m a proper boring opener usually so thankfully didn’t have to bat as T20 is not my game! We batted first and put on a sizeable 147.
On the keeping front it was the first time I’ve had to stand back in a while - taking the ball fingers up whilst stood back was certainly an experience. I missed an edge off their opener which thumped me in my shoulder as I just didn’t react quick enough. I took a stumping off our medium pacer - before having a mare and missing two more which I snatched at. It’s annoying because was I playing my own standard I probably would have taken them both, must have been nerves! They needed 6 off the last ball to tie and thankfully didn’t get it!
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Quote from: Jaffa on May 18, 2022, 12:39:27 PM
Dutch ZaMi. Fingers crossed.
I will never understand it either. They didn't stay for beers after the game.
Looking forward to the return game. Seriously. No quarters given.
Good man. Beat them on the field and play your best cricket, the way you want to play it.
Last Saturday we played them again. Their antics were toned down a little. We had 208 on the board and we bowled them out for 180 something. I came in at 10, got 5 no, took three wickets.
No quarters were given. We were firm but fair.
*quote of the day. Our opening batsman middles one over the bowlers head for six, he taps down on the crease, looks the bowler straight in the eye and quietly asks, "Howzat"?
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Quite a rough season to date for me, having missed 3/11 games due to injury or family commitments. Currently we are bottom of the league, the most divided dressing room I’ve ever been involved in and it’s awful - young lads refusing to step up to the 1s (don’t blame them) and morale is horrendously low. New captain who has managed to lose the dressing room and turn 90% of the club against him already which is quite an achievement to be honest, especially after an expletive laden rant at the team after we lost a close game criticising peoples attitudes.
Having been promised a leadership role in the side, basically doing the captaincy admin and running warm ups, and also being told I would lead the spin attack whilst batting 7/8, safe to say it was a load of rubbish. My plan is to ride out the season and run myself for the captaincy as I know I have decent backing and it is in the best interests of the club. I don’t think it’s surprising that so many people are struggling for form given the atmosphere - I thought i was going to be squared up to after missing one in the covers on Saturday - but I’m having my Saturday wasted every week currently batting 9/10 and bowling a couple of overs. I’ve played two games since returning from injury, ahead of which I said I wasn’t good to go in the ones - instead of having a chance to find form I’ve bowled 6 overs in those two games and batted 10 twice, although top scoring Saturday in a crazy tie.
TLDR - hating Saturdays, but as a positive I’ve put 9 of my lads forward for county pathway (40 in the age group) and they and the Frogs are keeping cricket enjoyable.
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After reading your post above I had to reply ?
How was the new captain chosen ? Has he been there long or have any other influential role at the club . If he is having such an affect and 90 percent of people are against him how is he retaining his position and also even continuing playing at the club ?
From how you are describing the atmosphere sounds like a bully ?
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After reading your post above I had to reply ?
How was the new captain chosen ? Has he been there long or have any other influential role at the club . If he is having such an affect and 90 percent of people are against him how is he retaining his position and also even continuing playing at the club ?
From how you are describing the atmosphere sounds like a bully ?
Only applicant after half the team last year left including the only other applicant who moved away.
He’s been there the same time as me, and is head coach. Some people in high places have their heads in the sand and think the sun shines out of certain places. Our Kiwi questioned his leadership and ended up on a disciplinary…
There have been bullying incidents for sure, which I have raised with our director of cricket as a colts coach.
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How did the kiwi end up on a disciplinary ?
How did he challenge and what happened ?
How is the club allowing a coach to bully people ?
Furthermore is he staying ?
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Kiwi challenged an expletive laden rant that was being yelled at us after losing a close game. Was accused of bullying in turn when he didn’t make a personal attack or shout himself.
He is staying for now. Concerns have been raised by multiple people but because of a couple of people on high who refuse to see the issues, very little is being done.
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How can he be accused of bullying and then face a disciplinary when he challenged that
Surely you and everyone else would have witnessed the incident and stood up for him so his potential disciplinary was thrown out ?
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Exactly - there are 7 people from that dressing room who have given identical feedback of what happened so the truth is out there and well known, just being ignored by some.
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So was he disciplined ?
And if this is the club coach , how much longer has he got ?
Has he got form for acting like this since he arrived ?
Surely it only takes a couple of parents to speak up and he will have to leave ?
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Got dropped to the seconds for a week, had meetings where all the allegations were laid out and countered with what people who were there had said in his support.
This is the third time that I can remember in my time at the club where he has exploded like this.
Parents are reluctant to let their sons play for him, and other younger seniors also refusing so it’s very clearly in the open
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That begs the question which senior member is keeping all this going ? Chairman and what is his vested interested in all this ?
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More club politics involved than I’ll put on here - but a lot of it is the sort of thing you get at most clubs, just turned up to 11
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Just reflecting on your posts, it seems like you were promised a role from the captain/ coach
But he has either lied to you and let you down , or potentially used for his own benefit and discarded .
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Yes I was - and the fact that I’m a dedicated clubman has been used and abused. When he took the role on I supported him, but he lost me weeks ago and I’m only playing 1s still so that young lads don’t come up and have a bad experience.
However, the club is being dragged down so change is needed, and my focus is on getting the club atmosphere sorted out and people enjoying their cricket again.
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Not sure what other forum members are thinking when reading all this, seems horrific from what you are saying
What doesn’t make sense is how any club politics would all this to continue …
Guessing the captain/coach does very well from the club from his coaching charges
He sounds like a narcissist ?
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There is definitely an ego at play.
I’m on the club pay roll as a coach now, because of the lack of coaching being done…
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As in no one wants to be coached by him ?
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Stays in one lane and doesn’t circulate at all, has his clique in that lane and nobody else, so no actual coaching going on.
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After having quite a decent first half season in a lower div (averaging 50+), I've played a few games on loan at a club in div 2.
First three games didn't go so well - two single digit scores and one in the teens. So I figured I couldn't bat with the same aggression as the standard of bowling was much better (caught behind/in the circle playing extravagant shots early doors). Decided that I would try to focus on playing myself in and building an innings. Had my fourth game last weekend and ended up scoring about 30 odd (got myself out) batting for about 25 overs (!).
Any advice as to how I should find the balance between being a bit more cautious and waiting for the bad ball vs making sure the scoreboard keeps ticking and moving through the gears?
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Finally scored my first ever ton yesterday. Been a bad season for me with ankle problems, so it was a bit of an effort, but pleased to finish with 116.
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Finally scored my first ever ton yesterday. Been a bad season for me with ankle problems, so it was a bit of an effort, but pleased to finish with 116.
Congrats mate!
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first game in a month due to childcare, not intentionally against my former side where i was for 15 years, but was hoping for it to be as friendly as it has been previously.
this is a 2nd 11 div 5 surrey champ game, so not the highest standard
they are second and we are bottom of the league so was expecting it to be tough but was shocked as how worried they were about us when they arrived. We werent hugely strong but competitive on paper so was optimistic, until i was asked to keep wicket.
skip won the toss and stuck them in, was fairly green considering but looked decent whatever decision he made. Amazingly, for a side who have struggled to take wickets against big scorers i was amazed that we reduced them to 8-4 in 4 overs, happy days. they dug in and batted well for a while but we never let them get away, at 107-7 their skipper elected to give their 50 not out batter not out stumped even though he was walking off. i asked our team before the game to keep the peace and accept decisions without proper umpires so was pleased when we moved on straight away. eventually we bowled them out for 164 with the number six given stumped (grudgingly) for 89.
probably well below par on a rapid outfield and decent deck so well pleased with our work, although a few moans about the extra 40 their batter was given by their skipper. personally delighted with 2 catches, a stumping, and most importantly zero byes. one of my best days behind the stumps.
at tea everything was very harmonious between the sides, lots of friendly chat and no animosity at all. that didnt last long.....
at 40-1 our number 3 had an appeal for caught behind given not out off their spinner. no idea from where we were sitting but our umpire said he didnt hear anything so didnt give it, the reaction from them couldnt have been more opposite from ours in the field. accusations of cheating within minutes and their skipper squaring up to the batters. to make it worse they then dropped him in the next over. tensions stayed high for the remainder of our entire innings, every appeal was huge and reacted with attitude with each not out. when the number 3 was eventually bowled a huge send off followed which was very close to the line, and not well received but us in the pavilion when we were informed of the verbals being handed out every ball buy the other batters at drinks.
we eventually got over the line after a few late wickets but was never really in doubt. then came the hand shakes, a few of our guys were fuming with their behavior but were told no agro and again keep the peace. only for their skipper to lose his rag completely and accuse everyone of us of cheating and ruining the spirit of the game? all bar three of them got their kit and left instantly, the remaining players stayed for a beer laughing at their skippers tantrum - one of them the batter who was given not out stumped, admitting he was miles out and doesnt know why it was given not. once he had calmed down (slightly) their skipper was adamant he had done nothing wrong and we were in the wrong, even when reminded about his umpiring he announced he wasnt a cheat and our decisions changed the game. i am not so sure but if that how he needs to justify losing to bottom of the league its up to him.
devils advocate, he cheated and so did ours - this is not my opinion. his 'error' gave them at least 40-50 runs, our umpires only gave us 30. so if hes right it didnt really change the game at all.
my actual opinion, he overreacted under pressure because they were being beaten badly by bottom of the league. and didnt know how to get back down from it, unfortunately he set the example for a very young side who then followed suit and went way over the top. i am certain our umpire didnt cheat but if our batsmen did glove it he should have walked as instructed before the game - he's saying it was pad btw but hes hardly going to admit it now.
i have reached out to him to clear the air as nobody needs this repeating when we play them again, hopefully someones explained what 'spirit of the game' actually means.
Wish it hadnt ended the way it did but not a lot we can do about it
https://ripley.play-cricket.com/website/results/5037021
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In the spirit of reviving the forum, 2 weeks ago I took my career best senior bowling figures of 4-33. I had one over to try to get the 5-fer and proceeded to serve up a whole load of dross that was never in danger of getting anyone out. Played a T20 last night that was very sweaty, even at 6pm.
Season as a whole - bowling improved, especially in terms of economy. batting is an absolute pile of ****
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Well bowled mate. Following in a fine clubbie tradition of bottling the fivefer is even better 😅
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I was filling in as captain in our (Chingford Cricket Club) 4th XI on Saturday as the normal captain is away for 2 weeks in Turkey for a well needed holiday (didn't help that his middle son fractured his ankle playing cricket in a freak accident). Anyway, I tossed up with the opposition captain (who was also standing in for their regular captain) and explained to him that we had our own umpire (our club's President) and that he would do both innings from one end which according to the league (Essex) rules if an umpire is supplied they must do both innings (this happened in the away fixture against this team earlier in the season). I won the toss and elect to field, as we were about to start play, their captain said that he did not want our umpire to officiate their innings, as our team consisted of players who have played the game for many years and are part of the committee in some way or form, calmly explained to their captain about the rules about umpires (which we told him when he kicked up a fuss in the previous encounter), which lead to him hailing abuse at me saying do I speak English and being a little girl (I just laughed it off as I thought he was going to have a heart attack with how heated he got); one of their players had to take him to one aside to calm him down. We eventually started play about 10 minutes later due to this outburst and their captain umpired from the other end and I was fielding at mid off thought that he was rather harsh with some wide ball calls from one of our younger players; anyway, we bowled them out for 113, 6 bowled, 1 caught and 3 run outs, with their captain being the last wicket run out and injuring himself in the process. We chased it down in just over 20 overs for 3 down with our number 3 scoring 77 not out off of 49 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes and took their captain for 26 in his one over. We have had to write a report to the league about the opposition captain. Our 4th XI are sitting proudly at the top of the table undefeated with the league title only 1 or 2 victories away depending on other results.
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You didn't even need to bowl your mystery spinner, I see! ;)
Good work.
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* Wish I could be bothered to read it all. ;)
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You didn't even need to bowl your mystery spinner, I see! ;)
Good work.
I managed to get a couple of overs in and pick up one wicket bowling them through the gate to hit middle stumps.
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* Wish I could be bothered to read it all. ;)
Apologises for that, didn't realise how much I waffled.
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I managed to get a couple of overs in and pick up one wicket bowling them through the gate to hit middle stumps.
Wasn't who I meant. ;)
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Wasn't who I meant. ;)
Who did you mean; not Paul Crego?
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Who did you mean; not Paul Crego?
Yep.
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Yep.
I did promote him to 8 in the batting order to make up for it but he was not required; he did drop a catch off of me as well as didn't go for another one off me but he somehow got a run out. I would have bowled him if Bernard Storm didn't bowl wicket to wicket.
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I'm not bragging, but I can bowl wicket to wicket and bat better than Paul Crego! Most people on here probably can, to be fair. ;)
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I'm not bragging, but I can bowl wicket to wicket and bat better than Paul Crego! Most people on here probably can, to be fair. ;)
I agree with you there but he has probably improved the last time you played with him unless you have been playing for East Herts.
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I agree with you there but he has probably improved the last time you played with him unless you have been playing for East Herts.
No I haven't been playing for East Herts. Have only occasionally played since 2016.
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I was filling in as captain in our (Chingford Cricket Club) 4th XI on Saturday as the normal captain is away for 2 weeks in Turkey for a well needed holiday (didn't help that his middle son fractured his ankle playing cricket in a freak accident). Anyway, I tossed up with the opposition captain (who was also standing in for their regular captain) and explained to him that we had our own umpire (our club's President) and that he would do both innings from one end which according to the league (Essex) rules if an umpire is supplied they must do both innings (this happened in the away fixture against this team earlier in the season). I won the toss and elect to field, as we were about to start play, their captain said that he did not want our umpire to officiate their innings, as our team consisted of players who have played the game for many years and are part of the committee in some way or form, calmly explained to their captain about the rules about umpires (which we told him when he kicked up a fuss in the previous encounter), which lead to him hailing abuse at me saying do I speak English and being a little girl (I just laughed it off as I thought he was going to have a heart attack with how heated he got); one of their players had to take him to one aside to calm him down. We eventually started play about 10 minutes later due to this outburst and their captain umpired from the other end and I was fielding at mid off thought that he was rather harsh with some wide ball calls from one of our younger players; anyway, we bowled them out for 113, 6 bowled, 1 caught and 3 run outs, with their captain being the last wicket run out and injuring himself in the process. We chased it down in just over 20 overs for 3 down with our number 3 scoring 77 not out off of 49 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes and took their captain for 26 in his one over. We have had to write a report to the league about the opposition captain. Our 4th XI are sitting proudly at the top of the table undefeated with the league title only 1 or 2 victories away depending on other results.
Rather a shame when teams bring their own umpire to a game where teams would normally umpire themselves and insist on them umpiring both innnings against the other side's wishes. Almost guaranteed to lead to cross words at some point, regardless of how the umpire actually performs. Lack of umpires is a huge problem for club cricket but enforcing non-neutral ones on games where they aren't wanted is certainly not the solution.
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I repeat: I have played only occasionally since 2016.
At least two of the reasons why are mentioned in recent posts above.
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I've never posted in this thread but I had to share my day with you... 101, 7/21 and a hattrick!
I'm retiring now!
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I've never posted in this thread but I had to share my day with you... 101, 7/21 and a hattrick!
I'm retiring now!
Did you win? It must have been an expensive night for you with 3 jugs to buy; that's what would happen at our club. Well done and congratulations.
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Rather a shame when teams bring their own umpire to a game where teams would normally umpire themselves and insist on them umpiring both innnings against the other side's wishes. Almost guaranteed to lead to cross words at some point, regardless of how the umpire actually performs. Lack of umpires is a huge problem for club cricket but enforcing non-neutral ones on games where they aren't wanted is certainly not the solution.
I rather prefer the opposition getting an umpire to officiate the entire match. Saves you the trouble of having to explain LBW decisions you may or may not have given :D. Things can get rather awkward in the dressing room. Atleast with the umpire you can collectively moan about the 'bad' decisions!
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Good game today against 3rd placed team and we are/were 4th.
Oppo have a strong top order all season and we managed to get them 74/4 at 24 overs and the second drinks break, our catching was superb with 2 grabs that were superb, one from myself in slips and the other at gully and a couple of bowled. However this is where the wheels came off as they finished there innings 257/4 with a very nice 100* from the No5.
I’m reply we started slowly and dug our peeves into a bid of a hole at 37/2 off 15 when I came in at 4. Managed to build a nice 93run stand before I tried playing a shot that should only really be seen in the Hundred or maybe the Blast and was bowled for my 5th score of over 28 and less than 32 this season. Some late order hitting and the effects of the heat made it close ish with 5 overs left and us needing 48 off the last 5 but in the end we fell about 18 short.
Overall game played in good spirts on what was a very hot day. Ended up bowling 6/0/13/0 and scoring 30 which if I’m honest I’m sick of getting starts and not going on to make a decent contribution to the game. 4 games left of the season and I reckon we need to win at least 2 of them to get a chance of a promotion but 3 of those are against teams that are 1st, 2nd and 4th now so going to be hard and availability is getting harder week on week.
Anyway I’m off to Florida now for a couple of weeks so hope you all enjoyed your weekends cricket
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With this heat and during the kids summer holidays it's always hard for one of our oppos to raise a visiting team. They turned up with eight and two of them were their 1st team fringe players. They batted first and when those two lads hit fifty they retired. We always try to play in good spirit but personally I was enjoying the battle so wasn't happy to see them walk off. We play recreational cricket so the league isn't taken that seriously by those outside it. They scored 210, a good chase.
Normally we'd help them field and rotate some of ours lads to help them. But with the heat, we didn't fancy it. One of our lads noticed what he thought were two students doing some fitness training so in thinking they might be keen to join, their captain went up to them asking if they'd fancy fielding. Turns out the lads weren't students, they were coaches for the Pakistan national team who were staying in a hotel just across from us and the next day they were going to use our ground for training purposes. Fantastic and all played for the love of their game. They were the fielding and video analysis coaches. Of course anything that came their way they stopped and held on to two great catches. Luckily for us they only stayed for 2/3's of the game as they had an official diner they had to attend, but wow, great thing to experience.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52286240950_6d4ce33f29_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nEmDNW) (https://flic.kr/p/2nEmDNW)
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A few photos from today.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52286017364_b61c78fcb3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nEkvm1)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52284772982_49426d1667_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nEe8r9)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52285758048_0dbe51fd0e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nEjbg3)
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Bottom one looks like Shaun Tait...
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Bottom one looks like Shaun Tait...
Yep, wild thing himself.
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Gareth Batty's son, surely?
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Gareth Batty's son, surely?
You'd think so, but it's one of the local lads. If Gareth had a bike, this would be too far to cycle.
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Bet you and your teammates are glad they didn’t ask him to roll his arm over :D
Awesome story to tell that, cricket is great!
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One of the stars of the Big Bash signing off his UK season in some style!
https://ycspl.play-cricket.com/website/results/5030913
Our 1's played them the week before. He made 80 odd before our 16 year old spinner bowled him. They made 250 odd and had our 1's 100 for 8, then our number 10 smashed 88 not out off 60 odd balls to win the game 9 down.
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Had to laugh that one of the bowlers was called Owen Struggles. Seems he was far from the only one!
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One of the stars of the Big Bash signing off his UK season in some style!
https://ycspl.play-cricket.com/website/results/5030913
Our 1's played them the week before. He made 80 odd before our 16 year old spinner bowled him. They made 250 odd and had our 1's 100 for 8, then our number 10 smashed 88 not out off 60 odd balls to win the game 9 down.
Looks like it was a great experience for the opposition bowlers.
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Looks like it was a great experience for the opposition bowlers.
It's ECB Prem cricket, so they're no mugs just obviously not at that level. Was no doubt a good scalp for our young offie the wk before, who tbf is part of the Yorkshire u16 squad and has played some academy games also. He's gonna be a good player and the experience can only have helped him you'd think.
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Our 4th XI were confirmed as champions yesterday after an 8 wicket victory on Saturday where I took a cheeky 5 wicket haul (could have been 6 if they had 11) and our 1st XI won their league cup semi final on Sunday.
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Played in an amazing game yesterday, sadly marred by some very bad sportsmanship by a few of the opposition. Worcester Div 9 game, Himbleton 2s vs Old Elizabethanth 4ths. They chose to bat and we were doing ok. Had their no.3 dropped on 0, but then had him stumped on about 30, with them on 70-2 off 16. Their no.4 came in and the game changed completely, as he took us apart. They didn't have much in the way of other batsman, so he farmed the strike for most of it. Well they finished on 361-5 off 45 with him 273* :o :o . IWhy he's playing in the 4ths is unbelievable. t's a small ground, but he hit huge 6's at will. He was dropped on about 170 to an easy catch and once more near the end. I finished 1-45 off 9, so happy with that.
Their umipire caused a lot of bad feelings; he did't give a masive edge behind, then called a no ball from square leg saying we didn't have 4 inside the circle, which we did. He then, again from square leg said a ball on the opposite side of the pitch had gone for 4, when our fielder had stopped it. This caused confusion with their batsman and resulted in their young batsman being run out. In the end we recalled him and said they could have the 4, as it wasn't fair on the young lad.
One of our guys was retiring from Saturday cricket after this game, so opened the batting. He made an excellent 68 as we started really well, 120-1 off 13. We continued to stay :(or at the required rate throughout. They didn't have a very strong bowling lineup, and would bawl one good, then one bad over. I went in at 5, with us on about 160. It then all kicked off when I was stumped off a free hit. Their keeper and another player said I was out, as a stumping is a run out! The keeper said I needed to learn the rules; so I told him I probably knew them better than him as I'm a PE teacher. He eventually said he'd kindly let me stay, even though I was out! :( Some heated word with him and the umpire beforethe game continued. Then at the end of the over the deliberately barged into me as he walked past. We continued to hit regular boundaries every over; I was bowled for 35 with us needing 90 off 15. We batted all the way down. so although we lost more wickets, we could still keep up with the run rate. We got to needing 12 off 3 with 8 down. Then 5 off 7 balls, when our skipper smashed a massive 6 into the field to complete an amazing win. :D :D
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Absolute honker of a game yesterday.
Our team are fighting a relegation battle vs top of the league and ended up losing the match by 4 runs. Unfortunately marred by shocking umpiring from their own umpire.
I’m not usually one to be irritated by substandard umpiring, after all, they are giving up their time. However, our team lost 3 of our top 5 to LBWs. 2 inside edges onto pad and one after coming down the track.
Unsure if it’s general incompetence or cheating anymore. Seems to happen every week at the minute.
Oh well, another classic umpiring rant.
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Personal milestone achieved yesterday, as scored my first senior ton since returning to cricket 4 years ago. My last one was probably 23 years ago! This one felt good as it was with a bat I'd made myself 😁
https://wakefieldthornes.play-cricket.com/website/results/5031182
Managed to get over the line which should mean we'll be mid to bottom mid table, rather than getting dragged into a relegation battle.
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Nice one, Jonny!
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Well done @jonny77 top effort buddy
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Batted mate!
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I moved clubs about 6 games into the season to a club where most of my wife's family play, the thinking being that it'll be a better environment for introducing my son to cricket when the time comes if he's surrounded by uncles, aunties, cousins, grandparents etc. They're a bigger club than where I came from, and play in a different county (we live very close to the Notts, Derbyshire and Leicestershire border so this isn't unusual) so expected to be in the 2s and was looking forward to it. Anyway, so far I've played 1 game for the 2s and the rest of the time been opening the batting for the 1s, getting my first taste of Premier League cricket at a reasonably late age tbh. But enjoying it, had some decent scores without going big. Great bunch of lads, and a great club. Glad I moved.
We've really struggled the second half of the season, and this continued on Saturday. Faced the best bowling attack in the league, with both openers and first change either currently playing or have recently played county cricket. Opposition are second in the league, and deserve to be. However, they do spend a crazy amount of money on players. I'm completely out of nick at the minute, so this game came at a very bad time for me, and I was out for 1 (of 16 balls, just trying to grind out runs and force some form). Think we'll be safe, probably need one more win from the last four games (including playing bottom of the league last game of the season) to make sure we don't get dragged into a relegation battle. We had a good run of form first half the season, managing to string a few wins together, which has kept us mid/bottom half of the table all season.
Interestingly, I've bowled more overs this year in league cricket than I have for a long time, sending down some part time off spin when required. Not sure whether it's the surprise lack of turn, but I seem to have a nack of getting some big wickets this year. Enjoying having another opportunity to stay in the game, because as some of you know, opening the batting and getting out early can make for a long Saturday thereafter.
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Personal milestone achieved yesterday, as scored my first senior ton since returning to cricket 4 years ago. My last one was probably 23 years ago! This one felt good as it was with a bat I'd made myself 😁
https://wakefieldthornes.play-cricket.com/website/results/5031182
Managed to get over the line which should mean we'll be mid to bottom mid table, rather than getting dragged into a relegation battle.
Congrats Jonny!!
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Thanks fellas, was about time tbh as had a few chances this season inparticular batting 3.
Made me think back to my 1st senior ton, so dug this clipping of a scorecard out the other day. Opened the batting for our local side when i was 15 for a season with my Dad, before moving to my current club. We batted through the 42 overs to put on 206 for none. A nice memory to have....
(https://i.postimg.cc/PrFQNn5K/Screenshot-20220824-212733-Gallery.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w7LmbPJs)
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https://worcestershirecl.play-cricket.com/website/results/5169645
Link to the scorecard for your Saturday game, where we chased down 361 to win, after their guy scored 273*.
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What a mad game of cricket.
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https://worcestershirecl.play-cricket.com/website/results/5169645
Link to the scorecard for your Saturday game, where we chased down 361 to win, after their guy scored 273*.
That is a crazy game of cricket right there. To score 273 not out and lose is nuts.
I see they gave away 65 extras! And 9 guys bowled!
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273 red and then open the bowling... good value from your match fee!
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So since my rant a few weeks ago… our relegation was confirmed yesterday despite a win due to results elsewhere meaning we go into last game next weekend 28 points off 8th with a max 23 available. I missed the game yesterday with covid, but was watching all the live scores so I could see what was going on.
Things have been moderately better but still not the happiest dressing room, but I suppose when you’ve won 3 games and tied one all season that’s natural. The week after my rant we actually had a brilliant game and chased down 318 with an over spare and 7 wickets in the hutch after burgling a tie the week before. I have had discussions with captain and director of cricket about my role after bowling a total of 22 overs in five weeks as a frontline bowler, after which we played on a seamers deck so only 4 overs (understandable) and bowled my allocation for the first time since week 4 last weekend. Still not overly happy with 36 overs in 7 weeks but I’m just sucking it up and waiting for next season and a chance to rebuild in div2.
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Thought I'd add in a slightly different report. Not been doing them up to now- so this will be a season review so far. This is my 12 year old son's 2022 season- club won't be named for reasons that should be clear later.
U13s pairs- a tough season for the 13s. All but 2 of last years team moved up to U15s- so the team is young and carrying some new players too. My son has been keeping beautifully throughout the season- stands up to all but one of our bowlers and has barely missed a thing. Batting has been tough, since he is the main scorer in the team (1 other player is a decent batter, but tends to score a little slower). This means my son has felt a lot of pressure to score, but also is going into bat with the game often already out of reach. That said, he has consistently scored 20-25 in his shared 4 overs with only 1 failure against a very good team and his team had a negative total as he went to bat. Recognising he was unlikely to score the required 100+ runs needed, he decided t "have fun" and throw his bat at everything. In truth I was a little disappointed in him- he could have tried to win his personal battle- but it was hard to criticise too much given the circumstances.
U15s. First season of "when you're out, you're out". Another superb season behind the stumps- although he does deign to stand back for about half of these! Batting has been really focussed by the importance of his wicket. So few of these games are scored on play cricket I don't have many accurate figures. Obviously a few failures- something new for him to deal with. Opposition bowlers must be very good, since every ball was swinging 3 feet after it's passed him :D , but generally his batting has held up ok, and he has significantly improved over the season. He is much more selective in his shots (something pairs cricket does not prepare you for in the slightest). High point of the season was retiring on 30*, then going back in and leading a last wicket stand to win the game on 47* with 2 balls to spare.
His club performances were enough to get him into both the U13 district and interleague squads. This has been a bit of an eye opener, as he has had to come to terms that there are other 12/13 year olds that are at least as good as him (and better). This has actually been really positive for him, as it's provided new goals and motivation for training. His keeping has held up very well, but being honest his batting has been harder work. He's certainly been outperformed by some of the other boys- but they are all playing senior cricket and that seems to bring a rapid improvements- he has another year to play U13s and will hopefully do better next year. Unfortunately both teams seem to have had a hard time getting fixtures played so he has only played a couple of games of each. He's looking forward to next year's opportunities.
Through the course of the season there have been some behind the scenes changes at the club. One change is the 2nds will be getting a new captain/manager with the view of improving their professionalism and standards. He has already spoken to me and said he wants my son to keep for them next year as they don't have a regular keeper and my son is well regarded. When the football season started a large number of players were suddenly unavailable for a Saturday game. I was asked if my son would be willing to keep for the 2nds. He was really keen, and we agreed- even though he shouldn't be playing until next year (this is why I'm not mentioning the club). He kept ok. Byes were kept low- which was a decent achievement for both his first 2nds game and not knowing the bowlers. He was quite defensive- standing back a decent way, and he did drop one chance- but everyone was really supportive and seemed pretty pleased with him. Since then he has played every game (2 more). He's taken 4 catches (no drops!). In 1 match there were 0 byes, and only 4 in the other (from 1 error). He is, however, very annoyed that he can't get his senior wickets under his own name! Batting has, again, been a challenge- but he has chipped in with a useful few runs.
One reason for the summary was a conversation we had on Friday. It was club junior training night, but there was an U11 game on- players concentrating on getting the ball down the pitch relatively straight, and batsmen happy to get bat on ball. My son pointed out that last season he would have been playing in that game- which drove home the massive progress he has made this year. I'm incredibly proud of him, his work ethic and commitment to improving- despite having no professional aspirations in the game. He works on his game purely to be as good as he can be- which is hopefully a characteristic that will support him in other areas of his life. He's got 1 match left for each of his teams- then his football starts!
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Thought I'd add in a slightly different report. Not been doing them up to now- so this will be a season review so far. This is my 12 year old son's 2022 season- club won't be named for reasons that should be clear later.
U13s pairs- a tough season for the 13s. All but 2 of last years team moved up to U15s- so the team is young and carrying some new players too. My son has been keeping beautifully throughout the season- stands up to all but one of our bowlers and has barely missed a thing. Batting has been tough, since he is the main scorer in the team (1 other player is a decent batter, but tends to score a little slower). This means my son has felt a lot of pressure to score, but also is going into bat with the game often already out of reach. That said, he has consistently scored 20-25 in his shared 4 overs with only 1 failure against a very good team and his team had a negative total as he went to bat. Recognising he was unlikely to score the required 100+ runs needed, he decided t "have fun" and throw his bat at everything. In truth I was a little disappointed in him- he could have tried to win his personal battle- but it was hard to criticise too much given the circumstances.
U15s. First season of "when you're out, you're out". Another superb season behind the stumps- although he does deign to stand back for about half of these! Batting has been really focussed by the importance of his wicket. So few of these games are scored on play cricket I don't have many accurate figures. Obviously a few failures- something new for him to deal with. Opposition bowlers must be very good, since every ball was swinging 3 feet after it's passed him :D , but generally his batting has held up ok, and he has significantly improved over the season. He is much more selective in his shots (something pairs cricket does not prepare you for in the slightest). High point of the season was retiring on 30*, then going back in and leading a last wicket stand to win the game on 47* with 2 balls to spare.
His club performances were enough to get him into both the U13 district and interleague squads. This has been a bit of an eye opener, as he has had to come to terms that there are other 12/13 year olds that are at least as good as him (and better). This has actually been really positive for him, as it's provided new goals and motivation for training. His keeping has held up very well, but being honest his batting has been harder work. He's certainly been outperformed by some of the other boys- but they are all playing senior cricket and that seems to bring a rapid improvements- he has another year to play U13s and will hopefully do better next year. Unfortunately both teams seem to have had a hard time getting fixtures played so he has only played a couple of games of each. He's looking forward to next year's opportunities.
Through the course of the season there have been some behind the scenes changes at the club. One change is the 2nds will be getting a new captain/manager with the view of improving their professionalism and standards. He has already spoken to me and said he wants my son to keep for them next year as they don't have a regular keeper and my son is well regarded. When the football season started a large number of players were suddenly unavailable for a Saturday game. I was asked if my son would be willing to keep for the 2nds. He was really keen, and we agreed- even though he shouldn't be playing until next year (this is why I'm not mentioning the club). He kept ok. Byes were kept low- which was a decent achievement for both his first 2nds game and not knowing the bowlers. He was quite defensive- standing back a decent way, and he did drop one chance- but everyone was really supportive and seemed pretty pleased with him. Since then he has played every game (2 more). He's taken 4 catches (no drops!). In 1 match there were 0 byes, and only 4 in the other (from 1 error). He is, however, very annoyed that he can't get his senior wickets under his own name! Batting has, again, been a challenge- but he has chipped in with a useful few runs.
One reason for the summary was a conversation we had on Friday. It was club junior training night, but there was an U11 game on- players concentrating on getting the ball down the pitch relatively straight, and batsmen happy to get bat on ball. My son pointed out that last season he would have been playing in that game- which drove home the massive progress he has made this year. I'm incredibly proud of him, his work ethic and commitment to improving- despite having no professional aspirations in the game. He works on his game purely to be as good as he can be- which is hopefully a characteristic that will support him in other areas of his life. He's got 1 match left for each of his teams- then his football starts!
Being a keeper of over 30 years I love hearing about young keepers, it reminds me of when I was young and means the art is not going to die out.
You should be very proud it sounds like you have a very fine cricketer there.
Also for what it's worth as a keeper the earlier you get involved in adult cricket the better and as long as its done right the batting will come.
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After deciding I want to get back playing a bit more after a few years of dossing around I had a net last night with a (possible) new club with intention of 5th XI/Sunday stuff; always a bit nervy but seem like a nice bunch. Wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be with the ball at miltary medium, but still can't cut the ball to save my life
Feeling a bit sore today, but nice to have a bit of a buzz back around maybe playing again
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Sounds great , glad you’re back into it
What part of the country do you play
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I’m a coach for my club, so the season never really ends. We have also started (and coached!) a ladies team, so a busy year.
I finally decided to get my own technique in order, so booked some preseason lessons last Xmas. Turned myself into an opener. Scored my first ever ton -139 retired - plus a 98,82 & 48. Played a few games for the 2nds, who won their league division. I also played in our T20 team, reached the county final, playing with and against players of a far higher standard than me. Now it’s indoors season, which I’m really enjoying.
All in all a pretty good year. For a small village club we are starting a 4th XI next years to bring on the juniors and some ladies into league cricket.
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I’m a coach for my club, so the season never really ends. We have also started (and coached!) a ladies team, so a busy year.
I finally decided to get my own technique in order, so booked some preseason lessons last Xmas. Turned myself into an opener. Scored my first ever ton -139 retired - plus a 98,82 & 48. Played a few games for the 2nds, who won their league division. I also played in our T20 team, reached the county final, playing with and against players of a far higher standard than me. Now it’s indoors season, which I’m really enjoying.
All in all a pretty good year. For a small village club we are starting a 4th XI next years to bring on the juniors and some ladies into league cricket.
Excellent!