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[jrb1984]

Hi guys,

This season I have dropped down from our first team in order to captain our second team with the view of getting our best juniors into the side. I am a more than capable first team number 4 and now open for the seconds but I have suffered all season with thinking that the opposition sides are really good even though none of them would make it in the top division which I am used to. I used to bowl in the first team too at some very useful players but now I have this kind of inferiority complex bowling at guys that are sloggers at best. It's only village cricket in Kent but nonetheless I want to win. The side who are currently second played us one week and they were all pretty brash arrogant blokes with no juniors, for some reason I felt inferior to them yet in all honesty should be taking them to the cleaners

Any advice for how to approach it differently?

[alee]

I think you are just over-thinking. Thinking too much about irrelevant stuff that might cause you to think the opposition is much better than they actually are.

It might be helpful to just concentrate on your own game and capabilities. It may help to stay at the moment while playing a match and give your best as always.
Also the lack of batting talent may not cause you to get wickets as compared to a proper batsmen who has all the shots and more ways of getting out. That is what i have experienced. With sloggers be confident as once Wasim Akram said to a group of us that a batsman who recklessly slogs is actually scared of the ball and of getting out.

[jrb1984]

Thanks for that, I think you're right I just need to find a way to clear my mind when playing.

Had a blazing row with my mother the other week then went and smashed a ton. Not the ideal solution though

[uknsaunders]

Firstly, thinking you are inferior isn't as bad as believing you are superior! God knows the number of guys I have played with who have cost games thanks to their Botham like belief they can do anything. Secondly, it's not a healthy state of mind. If you were good enough for 1st team cricket then you are for 2nd team cricket - just keep thinking that in moments of doubt. It's a doubt not a complex, that's all.

[jrb1984]

Thanks, I'll try to be more positive tomorrow. I've never been one to strut around thinking I'm the real deal and I tend laugh at those who do without being able to back it up. Think the thing with my bowling is guys either miss it by a foot or slog it, in first team games you find the edges more. Like I said the main reason for me dropping down was to ensure that talented juniors get a game in the seconds and have me as a face they recognise as I train them on Wednesday nights.

Thanks for the input, its appreciated

[Mattsky]

Admirable reason for dropping down. You're obviously more than capable of handling second team level. Your modesty is a strength, not a weakness. I'd try to focus your energies on setting an example to the younger guys, on and off the field. Control the things you can control, and don't fret over the things you can't. Pay little attention to the Oppo's ability or lack of it. They should be the ones worried about you, frankly.