I'm coming back this year after 19 years away. Have been netting with a local team - full of uni students who are 15+ years younger than me (I'm 38 this year).
Thankfully, I'm fitter now than when I used to play regularly (which is one of the reasons I've got the bug again so massively) but my ability to pick length has significantly lessened.
Like you, I am also having a hard time with my footwork and getting myself into balanced positions, particularly against anything 70mph+. Am relying quite massively on back foot shots to give myself time to see the ball onto the bat. This may "carry me" in the nets but forcing myself onto the front foot on a low slow early season wicket is going to be another matter. I was never a thumper of the ball, more a gentle stroke maker who favoured back foot drives and cutting and glancing (came from my dad doing throw downs to me when I was 9 on a poured concrete bit of our back garden with one of those old rubber and cement balls (which unsurprisingly don't seem to be around any more!).
Anyhow, I'm really trying not to embarrass myself. My son is 4 and he's showing some interest so have started hot housing him too. I'm also into cycling so I've made sure he cycles 3 miles a day to school and back!
I can't believe I spent 19 years drinking and not playing now! What a waste (sort of).
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