well...
started the season at the beginning for the first time due to my semi-retirement from my number one sport, football. a broken collarbone and a groin injury put paid to that.
i began as 3rd team captain, a position which i had filled in for most of the previous season. i was expecting to keep and open the batting for the 3s as well as skipper the side.
got asked to play and keep for the 1sts in a couple of pre season friendlies which was a good learning experience, and i found that the harder it was the more i enjoyed it. i worked hard on my keeping throughout the early season and come the first league game i was selected for the 2nds (for whom i had deputised a couple of times last year). although reluctant to leave my 3rds, i made the step up and kept tidily, batting 7.
2nds then lost the only other wk/opener due to child care issues and i was told that i'd be replacing him at the top of the order and keeping every week for the 2nds. i had to let go of the 3rd team captaincy but redoubled my efforts to work on my keeping and justify my selection.
(side not: our previous 2nd XI keeper had unbelievable hands and only didn't play 1sts because of his poor relationship with the 1st team skipper, so i had big shoes to fill!)
i did a job at the top of the order, mostly picking up 20s and 30s but sticking around long enough to see the shine off the ball and give our sloggers a chance to whack it. i was still working hard on my keeping and batting and hoped that if the aforementioned keeper were to come back i'd stay in the team for my batting at least.
then came the breakthrough.
a really rich vein of form coincided with a good read through Buzz's coaching manual. in the space of 4 games in the week after i received it, i managed scores of 75, 87, and 104. the 75 was the first time i had passed 50 all season, and then the 87 was my maiden 2nd XI 50. this was quickly followed by my maiden 2nd XI 100, to leave me top scorer in the 2nds and 6th overall in the league.
i ended the season 3rd in the league for dismissals behind the stumps - our home ground is well reknowned as a batsman's paradise and with no recognised spinner in my team my opportunities are limited! i do my best though.
i'm really proud of my achievements this season as i feel i've been rewarded for taking a keener interest in cricket which is usually my "2nd sport". i'm expecting to be awarded the 2nd team batting award at the club's presentation night, which last year was won by my best mate. he's sick as a parrot, and the healthy rivalry will keep us going well into next season i'm sure!
i apologise if this seems self-congratulatory but i honestly am so pleased to have achieved what i have this season. i really have to give another mention to Buzz because his coaching manual does make an awful lot of sense, and while i certainly didn't go out to bat with his words ringing in my ears, i'm sure it must have helped me.