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[LMQ21]

After my weekend report I commented on a Sussex Vet player who hit 77 against us and should have got more, the guy also hit 114* against us two seasons ago.
I will not publish names, but the guy in question has played First's, Seconds alongside his Sussex playing history. This season he hasn't had a score under 50 in about 7 games.. However, he chooses/gets asked to play third team cricket in the lower leagues of the division (Please understand this league is mainly a colts and development team league).

Therefore I put it out to the forum members, what is the mentality behind this?

Is there really a sense of achievement of smashing younger and poorer players to all corners of the ground?

With the older thread that discussed playing at the highest level, surely there must be the desire to face the best bowlers you can and produce runs.

I must add that the guy adds nothing (aside runs) to the team, he doesn't coach or encourage, if anything he is quite a negative and arrogant person. Surely a player like this affects the overall development of the team as he prevents other players batting, which may prevent them developing into cricket.

[rbblack]

What division is it out of interest?

[neilcounter]

Nothing new there, happens in all leagues.

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[Buzz]

sounds like the twos don't want him!

[vasiraju]

It also depends on the persons mindset. May be he might think that he is not fit for an upper league, or he might be more happy on earning the respect he is obtaining in your league.

[tim2000s]

He might just want to play pressure free cricket....

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[Colesy]

Doesn't have any contractual obligations. Guy round here used to have to play below 2s to avoid injury.

[fasteddie]

It's up to those who select the teams and the player himself.

Nothing wrong with playing the level YOU want to play.

I'd say let the bloke play wherever he is picked and chooses to play.

[Simmy]

no better feeling that being a big fish in a little pond

unless ur an even bigger fish in an even bigger pond!

[Kevtheplumber]

We had similar today, were small village team and barely get 11. Played a team with 2 teams I think, obviously were playing their 2nds, bloke comes in at 5 after we had got first 4 out for 46 chasing 112. Bloke hits 24 off first over inc 2 6s, ends up hitting 40 odd in 5 overs. Found out he played Saturday for 1sts, thing is they won by a wicket, were top and still are but could be a defining game and his 40 odd made a big differance as at 46 for 4 they were not flying and we were just edging it. Now if he got brought in for confidence etc ok but fact he played Saturday is annoying.

[Tail Ender]

Therefore I put it out to the forum members, what is the mentality behind this?

He's a c-nt, plain and simple.

[timshort15]

He's a c-nt, plain and simple.

And an egotistical one at that

[vasiraju]

no better feeling that being a big fish in a little pond

unless ur an even bigger fish in an even bigger pond!

Nice one mate 

[Manormanic]

We have a guy in our threes who consistently averages 50+ and is probably a similar sort of guy to the one you refer to.  He plays in our threes because he's just turned 60 and he finds the demands of higher level cricket too much, so I don't see why there is a massive issue him playing down there.  Yes some opposing teams sulk a bit, but at the end of the day its hardly a crime...

[LMQ21]

Seems I have started a thread of mixed opinions!

I'm having a go at the bloke or anything, at the end of the day he does what he chooses! As manormaniac said, the guy in question is an older fella, and no he isn't contracted (strange thing to say) to play at a higher level nor is should he. Simmy saying he likes being a big fish just links to the comments of being egotistical and arrogant.

I wouldn't say he is respected in the league or by oppositions though. 

The main issue I had was as I stated, he is playing in a colts side, opening the batting and not giving the younger players a real chance to play cricket. I know we all see differently within cricket and life.

Which is why I am questioning the psychology behind the decision, hence opening it up to the forum.