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[stevat]

Well meaning advice, I think you're over complicating it a bit. First of all the guy is 34 and I assume has played a fair bit of cricket.

Secondly the grip thing isn't correct. It is likely they'll favour leg but plenty of asian lads have a low bottom hand yet drive fine through cover simply by opening the face to compensate.

The admin/management of the game will be the biggest problem, the on-field stuff will work itself out I'm sure.

Yeah, take your point about the Asian lads.  The admin stuff too is difficult, particularly if you're hosting and the onus is on you.  That said, if you're playing away, you've got to make sure everyone gets there too.  On the playing side of things, I'm sure he'll do okay.  For me the big difference is having to really pay attention to smaller details that I would have ignored otherwise as a selfish batsman type.

[trypewriter]

Don't forget to fill in the match sheet afterwards - and make sure that the details get to the right place (if it's a league game).

[Byo]

And dont forget teas - that would really annoy all concerned!! 

[charlie15]

The admin/management of the game will be the biggest problem, the on-field stuff will work itself out I'm sure.

That is true, 27 emails from one chain and other captains trying to take my players!  Throw in the fact that I've sent good knows how many txts and phone calls to try and get everyone to confirm I understand why so many people don't want to do the job!

[charlie15]

Don't forget to fill in the match sheet afterwards - and make sure that the details get to the right place (if it's a league game).

It's a friendly

And dont forget teas - that would really annoy all concerned!! 

We're away! 

[charlie15]

Anyway guys thanks for all the advice and keep it coming  .

I'm sure I'll be fine and will post a match report on this thread after the game!

[tushar sehgal]

I am leading a team this season after a period of 5 years and I have noticed my attitude is very different.

Basically I go in with the mentality that this is the team I have and I am going to make the best use of it to try and win the match but more importantly enjoy. If you worry too much about how poor your team is you will never enjoy playing as a captain.

Tell your players that it doesn't matter if you lose or win but what matters is they give their best (You have believe in this yourself otherwise you will see yourself getting frustrated). Ppl will misfield and drop catches, tell them to move on and focus on the next ball, never yell at your teammates, if someone makes a mistake cheer them on to do well next time..

and good luck

[charlie15]

Cheers Tushar

[Cumbrian Pete]

Charlie, I would add that you should listen to advice from your team mates when they offer it, and seek advice from your senior players and vice-captain when you need to, but always make your own decisions and stand or fall by them.  That way, you don't go home wishing you'd not gone with the advice you were given when your instincts were telling you to do something else.

[GarrettJ]

50 overs is a long time for some people to concentrate, especially the young lads.

Keep an eye out for people who seems to be slipping away into day dream land and who look bored. Maybe swop their field position so they get something a little different.

With regards to Asian lads playing inside out through the covers, it is practically impossible to drive a ball with any control along the ground with the full palm of your bottom hand on the handle. Let them drive and wait for the catch to present itself but dont drop short or it will be hammered through point.

and dont forget to make it fun, have a laugh between balls and overs but demand that as soon as the bowler runs in everyone is concentrating 100% and walking in with the bowler.

with the risk of sounding like a s.ex offender take a couple of packets of sweets and put them in your pocket, nothing like a couple of cola bottles to pep up an ailing fielder or tell the team before the match you will buy a pint for the player who you deem to be the best fielder ..... soem lads will do anythign for a free pint.

The admin bit is the worst esepcially if someone doesnt turn up or is late or oyu ahve a cry off or some tool forgets half his kit.

[charlie15]

with the risk of sounding like a s.ex offender take a couple of packets of sweets and put them in your pocket, nothing like a couple of cola bottles to pep up an ailing fielder or tell the team before the match you will buy a pint for the player who you deem to be the best fielder ..... soem lads will do anythign for a free pint.

I've got 4 colts, I like your idea, but maybe not tomorrow!

If I'm the best fielder does that mean I get a pint from the rest of the team?

[tushar sehgal]

I've got 4 colts, I like your idea, but maybe not tomorrow!

If I'm the best fielder does that mean I get a pint from the rest of the team?

Haha i think the idea is to reward you team mates for doing their best, even if you are the best reward them

[Mr Cricket]

1) never let anybody undermine you
2) lead by example, your attitude will set the tone
3) treat the oppo with respect, regardless of how they treat you
4) make your own choices
5) try to give as many people an opportunity to bat or bowl as possible
6) even if things get tough, never drop your head, your team will follow.
7) ensure that everyone helps out, umpiring, scoring, ground work etc. (not the same people all day)

[Mr Cricket]

if you see somebody drifting away in the field, move them in a couple of paces towards the batsman.

not only does it put them in their toes a bit more but they start thinking about why you've done it and gives them something to think about.

[geeders]

Some good advice in here. I've recently taken over skippering our 2nds this year and find i'm learning more every game - after playing for the same club for over 15 years.

I have played with our 1sts for about 10 years now, so am trying to bring the same approach towards the game that the majority of 1sts teamers have - which is hard work as we have a fairly mixed bunch in the 2nds, both age and ability wise.

Hardest thing I have found so far is all the extra work off the field that is required - which I didnt really appreciate until now. On paper we have a really strong set of players, but getting anything like that team together is impossible - mainly due to university/work. Trying to organise teams is hard work with only 2 teams, so I cant imagine what it is like with more.

On the field I open the bowling and generally bowl my overs straight through. One thing I have found is that I struggle to do both - concentrating on my bowling, and then organising field/motivating team-mates so I find it useful to delegate part of it to the vice-skipper. Its something I am working on and hopefully get better.

Also I found that running around organising everything before the game - changing rooms/screens/flags meant that I had little time to warm up. For the first few games I always seemed to put a ridiculous wide/no-ball/half-tracker in my first over, so again this is something I am working on changing - simply by getting to the ground earlier and makign sure everyone else gets there at a similar time.