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[WalkingWicket37]

I'm 43 and have yet to peak.

Brucie, from the Fattus Flourish alone if any of us mere mortals reach your level we will have peaked!

[Akewstick]

I suppose there's a difference between a peak in your skill and technique and a peak in your results.

There's a guy in his late 40s who plays for us who says when he was younger he was a quick bowler, but now he only just about turns his arm over for an offie, and he's just had the best two batting seasons of his life. He says he used to net 3 times a week and play for two teams when he was younger and never got anywhere with the bat, but since he stopped bowling he doesn't net, only plays a saturday and just turns up for the laugh and is averaging 40+, he puts it down to relaxing and not trying too hard.

I know that doesn't apply to me since I haven't put the hard yards in with my technique yet but, I suppose when you're not "improving" in the way I'm improving now doesn't mean you're not going keep working on the mental side of your game and developing and adapting forever.

[uknsaunders]

I think you get more patient with age, this in turn helps you relax and not panic if you aren't scoring. This means you play less forced shots and get out less. Also you tend to understand your game better and cut out shots you can't play. Seen a few guys become prolific as they get older for this reason. They always had the ability but maybe not the mental tools to apply themselves correctly.

[farnham_quins_2]

I didn't play proper cricket when until I was back from university. As a kid I played a bit at school, with mates etc. and occasionally turned out for my dad's team when short. Never had any coaching.

Last 3 seasons I've progressed each year now I play 1/2 games a week plus nets.

I'd say you probably peak around late twenties, especially if you didn't play when younger. If you played as a kid you are probably going downhill from 18-20 onwards as you play/train less (unless you're a pro) and gradually decline in terms of strength/reflexes etc.

[GarrettJ]

The peak is once you realise not everything needs to be hit to a boundary, scoring a 50 or 100 doesn't come with an increasing run rate and that every successful innings has its peaks and troughs which you have to manage internally and not get frustrated or carried away with. Seeing this light happens at different ages or never happens.

my ability to pick up the line and length before the ball bounced went two seasons ago .... im 36 now and I semi retired since that day when I realised I couldn't hit balls that I was hitting when I was 13. I have only played about 10 games since then instead of 100. Next season i'll look to play 20 or so in a new league.

[Northern monkey]

You peak when you peak!!
As long as your eye sights ok,, there is nothing stopping your batting improving season on season
Work on your core fitness,,hugely important once your past 25 or so, as that's when the injuries seem to occur a little too often

For me. I relish every season starting, always try to improve an aspect of your batting, even if it's just running between the wickets
I try to introduce a new shot every year,( not saying I play it,but I try)

As regards being new to the game,,,so what, I've played fairly competitive league cricket,with guys who took it up only in retirement
Main thing, is watch and learn
Listen to all advice given, and work out what applies to you
If you think a bit of coaching might help, then go for it

I'm 47,,and would love a bowler  to tell me I'm past my peak!ha
Just don't mention my fielding tho

[Akewstick]

As regards being new to the game,,,so what, I've played fairly competitive league cricket,with guys who took it up only in retirement

This is my favourite answer.

Listen to all advice given, and work out what applies to you

I'm discovering this is really important.

I wrongly assumed since everyone was more experienced than me, any advice anyone offered should be followed. Wrong. I don't know if this phrase is widespread. "If you're gonna flash, flash hard".

As in if you're going to play away from your body and play a big wafty cross batted shot, make sure you try to absolutely murder it. I can see why it might be beneficial to the team to tell this to a useless player, it's going to mean the top edges go for 2 or 4 runs occasionally instead of to the slips every time. But in terms of advice to give someone learning to play the game, I think it's terrible advice! All the progress I've made has been with timing, not hitting balls that aren't there to be hit. "If you're going to flash, flash hard." seemed to make sense when I first heard it and I wish I'd have realised straight away that I should ignore it.

[ProCricketer1982]

Excluding Pro stuff as that's totally irrelevant to us..

My personal belief is there is no 'peak' for us. Yes physically we decline post 30, put on weight easier etc etc.. but that doesn't mean you get worse as a batsmen. I only started batting in 2011 at 28 and I'm massively improving each season, I expect myself to keep improving for years yet. If you keep yourself fit (and fit doesn't mean skinny, just means mobile, have stamina and keep strength up etc) then there is no reason why you can't keep improving well into your 40's. Someone is  currently at my net, at 40 and has said himself that he's better now than he's ever been.. why, because at our level it's not about how fast you run.. it's about consistency and your mentality. If all you have is hitting big and running fast then yeah, I'd say you peak.. If you can actually bat properly, with technique and use your brain for runs etc.. I'd say you never really peak and only decline if you stop looking after your fitness.

Just my view. Totally depends on each persons game and how they look after themselves.. jsut because that guy is fat, doesn't mean he's not fit. that is a common misconception with people.. fitness = skinny fast people.. fat =unfit.. some of the fittest people I've known are actually chubby buggers (before you say I lie, I'm not small and I passed the fitness stage of special forces selection so know what people are fit and who are just gym queen fit!!)

[Seniorplayer]

If you are going to flash at the ball flash hard is quite a common saying but  terrible advice and you  are correct to ignore it when it  is said to me i reply why flash at all.

[smilley792]

I find that pros peaks at around 27/28 as there reactions are great but the wise ness is starting to set in.


But


At our level, where the reactions aren't needed due to much slower bowling, batsmen tend to peak at around 35-40 as being wise and clever makes up a lot.

[RF]

I love this forum, I'm 34 and quite limited talent wise really but this thread has made me think I can improve next year.

Positive thinking or maybe delusional

[Seniorplayer]

I love this forum, I'm 34 and quite limited talent wise really but this thread has made me think I can improve next year.

Positive thinking or maybe delusional

Age 34 there is no reason why you cannot improve sort out what works for you and perfect it.

[tejasapatel]

I think most greats seem to peak between 27/28 to 33.