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[Cumbrian Pete]

Hey Taz

I'm impressed with the core fitness work, I do a fair bit of that as a keeper and it makes a big difference to both keeping and batting.  It sounds like the Brad is going to be moved on, but I agree that it deserves to be used and if your skip can use it as his number one bat then that's a good thing, despite all the work you've put into it.

The Laver is due to be sent out next week, so hopefully it will be what I'm expecting pick up and ping wise, will keep you posted.

I'm hopefuly my calf clears up before the end of April, if the podiatrist session goes well then I'll get some orthotics fitted next week and then I can press on with getting fit!  Nets are going well and I'm very excited about the start of the season.

Good luck with your first match.

[Colesy]

Just had my first outdoor net of the season, batted well, middling all my 'timed' shots. Last ball of the net session got a yorker and broke my bat.

 

[richthekeeper]

First pre season today, first friendly.

We played a team from the South Wales Premier, the league above us. It was damp and miserable and they ended their innings on 154/6 which was revised to give us a 30 over target of 180 by DL. Keeping was tidy, no chances and one bye.

Then I was stunned to be asked to open the batting as I'm a 2nd team player playing in the 1s. Still I did my best, but was beaten by a good ball that seemed back from off stump line to hit leg. Our lads did well tho and we got to 152/5 at close.

Enjoyable start, more tomorrow!

[thecord]

Just had my first outdoor net of the season, batted well, middling all my 'timed' shots. Last ball of the net session got a yorker and broke my bat.

 

Nightmare! How bad is it and what's the plan batwise now??

[Colesy]

It's a standard split taking part of the corner out. Could glue and clam pit but as I've not always been keen on it and it's under warranty I'll take it back to Globe and see if they have any Nice GM Halos

[Spanky]

So is everyone feeling prepared for the season? Personally feel a bit under prepared fielding wise.

[kalph]

out for 4 months with a broken wrist

[PedalsMcgrew]

Broken wrist? 4 months? That seems like a long recovery time to me..........did you snap it clean off? 

I did mine in November.......2 months was all it took although it still aches a bit even now...

[Spanky]

Sorry to hear about the wrist. How you manage that? Cricket related injury or off season boredom related injury?

[Bruce]

I'm feeling very good at the moment, I have been batting as much as I can. My defense is solid, my shOt selection is better than it has been in previous seasons too.

Let's hope my endless hours of coaching has paid off!

[praguetaz]

Only had 2 net sessions in which my bat of choice of the season got a split toe on the outer edge.

Went to Dresden to play a T20 on Saturday and 40 overs on the Sunday... lost both friendlies but it was more our own batting and lack of ability to catch!!! I felt good on the Saturday on a very good artificial wicket but strayed to a middle guard and was given lbw when on 5 and on Sunday saw the opening fast bowlers out and got caught in the deep off a spinner when on 21. Felt good to get time in the middle.. gutted about my bat which will cost 70 odd quid with return postage to prague, but I think worth it although Colesy doesn't believe in it.. might start a thread on it...

Looking forward to Saturday's T20 though... gorgeous hot weather here in Central Europe...

[FvanN]

Been in the nets twice a week and started to go to the gym at work on my lunch breaks now, next week the wife has ordered me to go running with her so my progress is moving in the right direction.. just wish it would stop raining for 5 months...

[Spanky]

So how is everyone's preparations going for the 2014 season?

What will you guys be working on and what targets do you have for the season?

Personally I hope to work on my back foot play (pulls & cuts) and my cover drives. My targets are too be more consistent with my scores, currently I have a habit of following a good innings one week with a poor innings the next.

[cricketbadger]

I'm currently stuck on deciding which pair of pads to wear. Kook Kahuna Players or GN Quantum Elites, both nice and brand new but I don't know which I prefer.

Also targets this year personally, minimum of 500 runs at the very least which isn't a huge amount I'm sure to some of you, but will be a challenge on some of the tracks we will play on. Ideally I'd like 700+ but 500 is the first target Batting for long periods of time if I decide to open the batting or at 3. So if I bat through the innings I would make a ton every week the way I bat.

As a team and as Captain, I am looking to win the title, big challenge in my first year back at the club and as captain, but a realistic one.
Ensure we have good turnouts at weekly training, and organised sessions delivered by myself, I want to notice an improvement in all players abilities. They all have decent basic skills if not a little rough round the edges, so a good base to start from.
Set up an online club shop for players clothing.


Just cant wait for the season to begin.

[Jason_Yuan]

Working on batting against 75-80mph with good length ball and 70mph with short ball, preparing well with bowling too, cant wait for next season..