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[Tail Ender]

As the title says, despite enjoying training and still having a passion for the game, I've found myself coming home after games on a Saturday evening over the past season-and-a-half and just feeling like I don't get the same enjoyment out of the game as I used to. I play through a fair amount of pain each week (the lingering joys of past serious injuries and the general degradation of my body), and I struggle to get out of bed on a Sunday and find walking for a few days after to be a painful exercise.

I've told myself I'm prepared to put myself through that pain as long as I am still enjoying my cricket, but as a result of that pain I'm not enjoying it; cricket is a fickle mistress - I love it so, but it doesn't seem to love me in return. You can add general team politics, club cliques and inconsistent team selections (I'm one of the floating players; when there aren't enough a grade up I go up, then go back down the following week) as eating away at my enjoyment. I play for a really good club with a great bunch of lads in each of the teams I've played in, and I still look forward to games on Friday. That's the weird thing - on Friday all I can think about is the game the following day, but after the game I always find myself feeling that it wasn't worth it (and I think being a dad now has some bearing on that feeling, along with the pain and politics).

Have any fellow forumites grappled with similar feelings toward the game? And if so, how did you deal with them, or did those feelings finally convince you to give it away? Be interesting to hear, because I don't think disaffection with a sport is something that is talked about often.

[Cover_Drive]

I feel same, in fact, my passion for the game, equipments et cetra has certainly diminished but my reason for my disaffection is not due to family or anything as such.

I literally force myself to nets even though my heart does not want to go. There were instance when I made a u-turn from training/game spot and went back home. Even an hour before game/nets I don't feel like going as opposed to past when I would not be able to sleep at night.

To be honest, my family is making me hang in there.

Politics is something which puts me off as well, but then I'm a crap player so shouldn't be complaining anyways..

[fatbats]

I had similar before

Sometimes it gets to the point where you have to start being little selfish and say I'd rather play in one team rather than move about up and down etc as you feel you have to to help club but it can work at you over time

Maybe a little break umpiring or just playing t20 to see if that suits

[ajmw89]

I usually get to about the end of july/mid august before I get that feeling. I think it stems from working 9-5 all week and then not having any relaxing time over the weekend if I play both days. This season, my plan is to play sunday friendlies and the odd saturday rather than both all season, as it's ligbter on my wallet and easier on my dodgy knees!

[iand123]

I had this bfore when i was 19, i stopped playing for 5 years and looking back really regret it. After 5 years i went back to my previous club had a couple of seasons but started having the same feelings. I ended up moving clubs and its really invigorated my interest for the game again. This year will be my 4th season with them and i really am loving my cricket again

Not saying its the answer to everyones problems but a change of environment certainly helped me

[Tumo]

I've only been playing for 7-8 years, but I don't think I've ever once found my enjoyment of the game was reducing. I'm a cricket nut, it nigh-on rules my life! Can't get enough of it, nets/cricket fitness sessions/games/watching on tv or at a ground (even watching my own standard of cricket!), and I feel it would be a sad sad day when I finally stop enjoying it as much.

[Tail Ender]

I was 5 when I first played an organised game, and until the age of 17 it was all I cared for, even in winter. At 17 it just stopped being fun for me after years of coaches not knowing whether I was an opening bat or an opening bowler (it changed year to year until I took up keeping to take the decision from them), and I got distracted by other things (booze and birds). I didn't play for 9 years after that, then my wife encouraged me to take it back up in 2010 to help with other issues I was experiencing, and I fell in love with it all over again. Toward the end of last season I honestly put it down solely to the pain factor, but this year there just seems to be something else gnawing away at me. I've only played in six out of a possible 12 games this year (and I haven't been in a losing side so far, so that doesn't come into it), picking up my side injury in one of those which forced me to miss two, with a trip overseas, rain and one just not being bothered (case in point) accounting for the rest. Like I've said, I still look forward to training and games, but it really hit home just how much I didn't enjoy my game when I got home on Saturday (being given out lbw because I'd "been in too long" probably didn't help). I think there's something disheartening about not being able to pick up your daughter on a Sunday without doing it through gritted teeth. That's definitely playing a part.

I'll see where I'm at at year's end. I don't think I'd give up the game completely. I've been thinking of taking an umpires course and trying my hand at that.

[uknsaunders]

Mate, I feel your pain. Physical side I've picked up 4 injuries in the last decade and it doesn't help if you are worried about the pain tomorrow morning. Remember this, eventually you'll fall to pieces and not be able to play in any capacity at all. How much fun is that going to be. Whenever the wife moans at me for playing, I tell her I might only have 10 years of cricket left in me and I want to enjoy it while I can. If you bowl medium pace, might want to consider changing to spin. I did this and it's far less stressful on the joints! How old are you btw?

Playing side, I think you need to change clubs. You say it's a good club with good lads but then talk about club politics, selections etc. Find somebody with 1 team at a level you can play and go and enjoy it. A veterans side perhaps?

[Tail Ender]

I turn 30 in just under two weeks mate (must've been expecting me to be much older? haha!), but I've suffered that many serious injuries in my time that I feel twice my age at times! And being an opening bowler, I do myself no favours either. I'm just going to bat for the remainder of this season, due to my side injury, but even after just batting on Saturday I've noticed other parts of my body being bloody sore today! I can't win

As for the club, I've made some really good mates there. It's just the going up and down each week, and a small cliquey group who take care of the team selections; small petty things that do their bit to eat a way at you a little, even though you know they're silly.

[uknsaunders]

30, you're just a youngster! Seriously, switching to spin will certainly help the body. Seen a fair number of opening bowlers bowl spin better than seam up. Nobody can play spin very well either. Start again as a spinner and they'll drop you to the bottom team, no more selection issues until you start taking some wickets. Worth a try if it keeps you going.

[fros23]

Mate, I feel your pain. Physical side I've picked up 4 injuries in the last decade and it doesn't help if you are worried about the pain tomorrow morning. Remember this, eventually you'll fall to pieces and not be able to play in any capacity at all. How much fun is that going to be. Whenever the wife moans at me for playing, I tell her I might only have 10 years of cricket left in me and I want to enjoy it while I can. If you bowl medium pace, might want to consider changing to spin. I did this and it's far less stressful on the joints! How old are you btw?

Playing side, I think you need to change clubs. You say it's a good club with good lads but then talk about club politics, selections etc. Find somebody with 1 team at a level you can play and go and enjoy it. A veterans side perhaps?

Have you heard of the trade descriptions act Nick, I've seen you turn as many balls of the straight as I have!

[Byo]

Not had this with cricket, but had it with hockey (was playing at a good standard). I got to the point that I was not enjoying the game, too much travelling and always injured so I just packed it in completely and took up golf.  This was about 7 years ago and I do not miss it in the slightest and actually wish I gave up sooner.

[uknsaunders]

Have you heard of the trade descriptions act Nick, I've seen you turn as many balls of the straight as I have!

Only mine turn quicker and actually beat the batsman Fros. Let's face it you converted to spin because your car crash hips couldn't managed 5 overs without falling to pieces and you being on the edge of death due to your lack of fitness. Have you woken up because you can't see the sale section anymore lol. About time, Simmy has missed you.

[uknsaunders]

Not had this with cricket, but had it with hockey (was playing at a good standard). I got to the point that I was not enjoying the game, too much travelling and always injured so I just packed it in completely and took up golf.  This was about 7 years ago and I do not miss it in the slightest and actually wish I gave up sooner.

but this is cricket, and it's special.

[Buzz]

Not had this with cricket, but had it with hockey (was playing at a good standard). I got to the point that I was not enjoying the game, too much travelling and always injured so I just packed it in completely and took up golf.  This was about 7 years ago and I do not miss it in the slightest and actually wish I gave up sooner.

I have had this with hockey, although I do miss it - I don't miss the pain I was in after the games!
I want to play cricket until I am about 70, like Mr Batoff!!