Topic: Is it over? (Read 3061 times)

JTtaylor145 · « **on:** August 28, 2019, 01:14:57 PM »

I was playing in a charity match on Bank Holiday Monday and I was fielding at extra cover. The batsman hit the ball in the air about two feet above my head. Needless to say I didn't catch it. Straight away after it happened I thought to myself "I think I'm done with playing". I'm 42 years old. I scored 50 retired on the Sunday so can still hold a bat but I've never been a great fielder. I haven't caught a catch in a couple of years and my ground fielding isn't great and I can't throw anymore.

I've never enjoyed fielding, I don't think you ever enjoy things that you aren't particularly good at. I was never coached how to field properly. I'm thinking about packing the game in or at the very least dropping down a couple of divisions. I've also become a bit frightened of the ball in while fielding. The negative thoughts are dominating me in the field.

I do want to get better as a fielder and at the very least stop the ball and take the occasional catch but I don't know where to start. My confidence when it comes to fielding is just shot.

I need some help because I know I want to carry on playing for a few years yet but the fielding side of my game is really getting me down.

Any ideas/advice/guidance/sympathy

JT

RF · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2019, 01:27:10 PM »

It's not over, I wouldn't pack iun if you scored 50 recently.

You need to build confidence and the only way to do that is to practice.

Try and keep your head still when you catch. Confidence is key though, if you think you're going to drop it you probably will. Everyone drops catches by the way.

If you're really struggling try and become a specialist in a certain place. I find feilding at square leg is easy as you can telegraph the batsman's shot quickly and it gives you more time.

velvetsky01 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2019, 02:30:06 PM »

No not over @JTtaylor145 if your still hitting runs no need to retire!

My captain for the past two seasons has been very good with my limited fielding ability- I am not the worse by any means but within the team we have a number of excellent fielders. So as I am in the team solely As a batsmen (really can�t bowl!) I simply field at 3rd man/fine leg for one end and At square leg or mid on for the other - once the slower bowlers are on I am On the 45. So I don�t have far to run. But if I have to do fine leg to fine leg I do so. As Saturdays are all about winning I know I am doing my bit for the team buy not kicking up a fuss and allowing the more able fielders in at key positions. I know I am contributing to the team with my batting ability so am happy to do this. I have taken some good catches however when I have changed to other positions just for the record ha
But Maybe you could do this? As I am sure the skipper wouldn�t want to lose you

Jimmy Tiwana · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2019, 02:31:11 PM »

I am going to be 42 this year end and went through similar motions last year. I almost thought of calling 2018 my last innings.

The reflexes certainly go down in our age group players. But as RF pointed out these can be adjusted with practice to improve the necessary skills needed to field and complete a catch.

Few things which I did start at the beginning at this year were:

1. A gentle but regular strength training with special focus on shoulders. My rotator cuff was giving up last year, but with little physio assistance/guidance I am now able to throw and rotate my arm more freely (to bowl) than last year.

2. I got involved in badminton and indoor soccer in the off season (co-ed mixed level group), and it did help in my endurance & improving aerobic capacity. Of-course, I lost few pounds off the belly as well and I can run around bit better now.

Both these tricks worked for me in improving my overall cricket playing abilities, but more significantly had a positive impact on fielding. But these two tips work only towards setting goals for the BODY (Body, Mind & Soul). Fear of dropping a catch and its aftermath is the most challenging to deal with. Trust me, I followed exactly as RF mentioned "Try and keep your head still when you catch. Confidence is key though, if you think you're going to drop it you probably will. Everyone drops catches by the way".

Just to mention, I have played 12 games (all T20) so far in this season. Five catches came way, out of which three were taken at point, square leg & one at deep. The dropped ones were at mid wicket where I felt that the bowl came in lot quicker & flat. I felt that my reaction time was not there. Will avoid these positions in 2020. In 2018, I had dropped all the four catches that came my way.

In summary, put in a little effort towards improving strength & fitness but do bit more practice towards working on those fielding skills. Cheers!

velvetsky01 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2019, 02:31:23 PM »

Also if your club train in the week for a couple of weeks I really pushed fielding drills and didn�t net so I could get in a groove which again helped with confidence

Buzz · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2019, 06:54:42 PM »

Practice. There is no substitute for practicing.

WABH-J · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2019, 07:27:45 PM »

1. Get some coaching - you would be amazed at what an hour of 1-1 coaching can do for your technique in any discipline and having it 1-1 has far greater benefit in my experience.

2. If you�re not enjoying your cricket I would advise dropping down a few teams - at least temporarily. I got back into cricket after a long break and I decided that I was only going to play at a level where the standard was so poor that nobody could take themselves too seriously. I used to hate fielding. I started to love it because there was no pressure. I was always just a batsman but at the level I started playing at I was suddenly an all rounder!

As it happens after a full season at a low level - scoring more runs and taking more wickets than I ever have, I�ve now agreed to go up a few teams. I�m really looking forward to this because I�m in a good place form wise and I feel ready fo the challenge.

The point is it�s your free time. Nobody else�s. You�re not being paid for your time, so if you�re not enjoying 50% of the game you shouldn�t be doing it! Definitely keep playing- you�re obviously good at it, but I would try playing it at a gentlemanly level where there�s no pressure before you jack it in!

Komdotkom · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2019, 09:39:11 AM »

Surely not! I lost an eye a couple of years ago and don't have any depth perception but I still manage in the field. I am always at fine leg though where the risk of sharp catches is reduced!
I got some coaching to help with my batting and I've got that to a point where medium/fast isn't a problem, but spin and porridge are impossible to play. According to my eye surgeon it's because the ball isn't moving fast enough and you rely on binocular vision for slow bowling, but with fast bowling you have your eyes shut anyway so reflex takes over!
Keep at it, you'll be right.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2019, 03:47:42 PM »

As per all the comments @JTtaylor145 keep going mate =, even if it means stepping down a league or two, you will miss it more than you know, trust me after only playing 9 games this season.

Your more than welcome to come to us which is in between your league now and your 3rd teams league, as we have missed promotion this season unfortunately.

The_Doc · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2019, 04:47:28 PM »

I've been through similar emotions this year and last, partly because of me and partly because of moving to a new area and new teams. Prior to this I last played a full season in 2009, and have played probably 20 games over those 10 years. I used to be a decent seamer and OK bat (lots on 2nd team runs in the top 3 in my teens then first team as a bowler batting 8,9,10 for 15 years and either having to hit out at end of innings or bat hours for a draw after collapse) .
Last year i joined a local team and was mad for the season, I was a little rusty but both the bowing off a short run and batting was OK. I then dropped a caught and bowled chance, smashed my finger to bits and a 2 hour op to reattach tendon, out for the season. This season I came back and it was like what the hell has happened? The brain was working but the body wouldn't react! I started to get really frustrated with myself and I wasnt really enjoying it, the most annoying thing was that for the first time I can remember I felt the other saw me as making up the numbers. I was batting down the order, I got a bowl and didnt really bowl well etc. fielding was slow and crap. I nearly quit the team but I decided to have a good talk to myself and just enjoy being on the park. Things started to turn around and due to holiday lack of availability I got a go at 3 and made a crucial 40odd, then a couple of week later i made 48no in a run chase farming the strike batting with 10 and 11 (almost like Ben stokes but 11 got out with a hand full needed) and a really enjoyed that. I then ordered a new B3 bat but tore my hammy the week after

. I'm now out for the season. But its properly motivated me to get fit this winter, i could do with shifting a couple of stone and next season I will be alot fitter. So I say stay with it! and enjoy cricket for what it is!

Ideally Id like to play a decent 2nd team standard and jut bat at 3, help out with the youngsters etc like the older guys did for me. But nowadays there seems to be a real lack of players so it you can remotely hold a bat and are over 12 you are in the 1's and the 2nd team is really quite toilet.

t2ylo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2019, 04:49:48 PM »

Don�t give up mate. U are a very long time retired.
I played a few seasons with my father and this is my first full season playing with both my sons (aged 44)

Bat up top. Learn to field slip. Never go outside the 30 yard circle.

Mid wicket on the 1 is my second go to position and just look like you might run someone out should they dare to run!!!

InternalTraining · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2019, 05:28:53 PM »

I am with @Jimmy Tieana on this one and @t2ylo has good tips as well.

I open (take strike), field on square-leg and extra-cover (I don't move positions between overs

) and stay within 30 yards.

I had a miserable season last year because I had gained a lot of weight. Shedding all those pounds was fun and I have a few more to go. Even before skills, the key to a good season is: 1.) Fitness. 2.) Fitness. 3.) Fitness. 4.) Specific cricket skills.

There is plenty of info on fitness in this thread. Regarding cricket skills, because of my limited time, I practice only what I need for the plays: batting against new ball (use a bola mostly), close catches, and close fielding. If I am going outside my comfort level, I let the captain and the bowler know.

Duck Duck Mongoose · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2019, 09:18:07 AM »

This season I've felt as if my eyes are starting to go. I seem to still be seeing the ball out of the bowler's hand ok but am having more difficulty picking it off the bat when fielding.

I have always prided myself on my fielding and I don't like to feel like I am letting my teammates down.

I recently got myself a reaction ball:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fitness-Health-Reaction-Ball-Agility-React-Cricket-Sports-Training/253022187952

Within about a month or so of doing about 2-5 minutes with it per day I have noticed some improvement in my eye speed. I'll stick at it this winter and see what happens.

Hopefully I've got a fair few seasons left in me, as have you!

Author Topic: Is it over? (Read 3061 times)

JTtaylor145

Is it over?

RF

Re: Is it over?

velvetsky01

Re: Is it over?

Jimmy Tiwana

Re: Is it over?

velvetsky01

Re: Is it over?

Buzz

Re: Is it over?

WABH-J

Re: Is it over?

Komdotkom

Re: Is it over?

SOULMAN1012

Re: Is it over?

The_Doc

Re: Is it over?

t2ylo

Re: Is it over?

InternalTraining

Re: Is it over?

Duck Duck Mongoose

Re: Is it over?