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[Alvaro]

I play cricket for a small club that runs two teams, as well as a midweek league side. There is no selection committee, sporadic practice and 70% of the second team refuse to play for the ones on the basis they only want to play for with their mates. We struggle some weeks to get eleven out for both Saturday sides. But, we are both second in our respective leagues this year as we have good players.
I have been captain of the firsts for 3 seasons and the midweek for 2. This year a younger guy was picked at the AGM to run the midweek things to help me out with a view to progessing to Saturday skipper. We lost our first twenty20 and he decided he couldn't captain and be expected to bowl. I basically took up the slack again. I usually spend most of the week chasing players for the two sides, so that i can retain a good relationship with the 2nd XI skipper, who is a good bloke, but last week half-jokingly accused me of 'stealing' his players when we are pushing for promotion.

This weekend I have had to explain to our simpleton but quality fast bowler that his mate can not play in our league side because he's played else where 'change his name, I played for four teams last year' is the most I coherent argument I get out of him. It is tiring playing up to the egos of people who are quite happy for me to do everything.

Anyway, I am tired of it, but there is no one else who would be willing and/or able to take over. Am I letting the club down if I don't continue next year in light of the dearth of options?

[Jenko]

Nope, gotta do what makes you happier and enjoy your cricket more. I was skipper of a small club in QLD, same thing - organised the team every week, did all the normal on field captaincy, acted as treasurer getting ball fees each week and organising events, equipment etc. No one really ever wanted to help so I pulled the pin on it. Freed me up alot as a player and now that there have been 2 guys pick up the job only to pass it on are they seeing how involved it is, and looking to delegate some of the work out.

[Johnny]

You need to do some sort of succession planning. Get a vice on board, groom him for the full role next season (or probably the season after by now) - maybe even start delegating stuff straight away. You need to spread the load more too, make sure there are no single points of failure.

[Alvaro]

I agree about the succession planning, but that was the idea with the midweek guy. They're good blokes and we're winning, but I tried to step down last year but got cajoled into it again. I just feel like a bit of a mug carrying on because it's good for the club. I feel it's time to be a bit selfish.

[smilley792]

Seems very similar to the position I'm in. And I have jacked it in, let them sort themselves out.



We had a midweek side that folded due to fielding only 8 players every week.

5seasons ago, we had a quality 2 adults sides, and juniors coming through left. Right and centre, so at the Agm asked for re admittance din the midweek league.
Committee wouldn't even vote on it, said we struggled in the past and it would just be fines and let downs,
We then said we'd run at as a new club but could we use the ground, they said yes, and if it worked after a year, they would then make it an official side.

So there me, secretary, treasurer, selection committe and captain on Wednesday, 13 games 13 wins, and an average of 28 players wanting a game every Wednesday.

Club said, beginners luck see how you get on next year. So we entered another team to spite them.

So for the last 3 seasons, I have been secretary, treasurer, selection committe and 1st team captain, for 2'midweek sides, we are still classes as hiring our ground from our club, and I receive no help doing any behind the scenes stuff,

I have jacked, told them I am just a player next year, and will not be helping. No volunteers as of yet. I fully expect the second team to fold. And the first to struggle to be run.

But you can only do so much yourself, there comes a time when you need to force others to do it.

[uknsaunders]

Down to basics. Captaincy is an honour and a commitment. Your first captain should be given a slap for stepping down after 1 game. It's gutless. You have stepped up and took over a role nobody wants to do. You've also effectively managed 2 teams with little support. You've done your temporary stint and can leave with your head held high. I wonder what is going on at that club, no selection committee, 70% of the 2nd XI not wanting 1s and a few too many ego's and not enough practise by the sounds of it. If you have the support then carry on, if you don't make a point of it and see what happens.

[The Palmist]

It is people like you who keep club cricket going so well done on what you have done so far. You need to get others involved slowly but surely and see how it goes. Youngsters get a bit scared if you give them a big responsibility, instead break it down in chunks and share it out. Less leading, more managing.

A new captain will need time to settle in and learn the trade, so be patient.

[The Palmist]

I apply a formula at work...if anyone else can do a task even 80% as good as you, let them do it :-) and you focus on something else.

[uknsaunders]

Seems very similar to the position I'm in. And I have jacked it in, let them sort themselves out.



We had a midweek side that folded due to fielding only 8 players every week.

5seasons ago, we had a quality 2 adults sides, and juniors coming through left. Right and centre, so at the Agm asked for re admittance din the midweek league.
Committee wouldn't even vote on it, said we struggled in the past and it would just be fines and let downs,
We then said we'd run at as a new club but could we use the ground, they said yes, and if it worked after a year, they would then make it an official side.

So there me, secretary, treasurer, selection committe and captain on Wednesday, 13 games 13 wins, and an average of 28 players wanting a game every Wednesday.

Club said, beginners luck see how you get on next year. So we entered another team to spite them.

So for the last 3 seasons, I have been secretary, treasurer, selection committe and 1st team captain, for 2'midweek sides, we are still classes as hiring our ground from our club, and I receive no help doing any behind the scenes stuff,

I have jacked, told them I am just a player next year, and will not be helping. No volunteers as of yet. I fully expect the second team to fold. And the first to struggle to be run.

But you can only do so much yourself, there comes a time when you need to force others to do it.

If you played anywhere near us in Warwickshire I'd recruit you in a shot!

[Manormanic]

I agree about the succession planning, but that was the idea with the midweek guy. They're good blokes and we're winning, but I tried to step down last year but got cajoled into it again. I just feel like a bit of a mug carrying on because it's good for the club. I feel it's time to be a bit selfish.

why not do it in reverse - say you'll carry on provided X, Y and Z are the case.  X might be the club implementing a play where you're put policy, Y be everyone in the team taking a turn to do teas and Z a similar rota for match fees and the like.  Or whatever reduces your stress levels...

[Leddster138]

why not do it in reverse - say you'll carry on provided X, Y and Z are the case.  X might be the club implementing a play where you're put policy, Y be everyone in the team taking a turn to do teas and Z a similar rota for match fees and the like.  Or whatever reduces your stress levels...

I couldn't agree with this more. Captaining was really getting too me a few years back. With the help of a few players we put together a few "policies" that are still in effect. Selection policy is key. It's easier to say "It's policy" to those with an ego as anything else is usually viewed as an attack on their greatness!

Most people will help with things if you ask so just come up with a system that they can't ignore.

This all being said don't break your back, you're not there for everyone else to have a good time. Going back to basics, it is a great honour to captain a team, most people these days won't put their hand up as they simply can't handle everything it entails. It's just a shame teams fold when the "glue" has had enough (I'm sure there is a cricket bat analogy in there somewhere)

[uknsaunders]

Yes you should be able to enjoy it. That means delegating where possible on the day. Things like selection policy can be a minefield and I've heard it all. However, the easiest policy is to pick your best balanced XI and it makes any discussions afterwards easier. "Why aren't I in x team" - "we pick on merit and you missed out". People will argue for sure but as long as the reasoning is solid, ie. you've not scored a run in 4 knocks, then it's a hell of a lot easier than saying "we have to play so and so with his mate". Culture change though has to come from the top, and this is where the Chairman should pull his finger out!

[Manormanic]

the easiest policy is to pick your best balanced XI and it makes any discussions afterwards easier. "Why aren't I in x team" - "we pick on merit and you missed out".

This is a good point - too many clubs struggle because their ones have seven or eight all rounders - I know when we were a lot stronger than we are now there would be a guy batting eight in the ones who would have opened batting and bowling for the twos.  Obviously you don't tell those guys they can never bowl but you do say right, who are my strongest four batsmen, keeper, two all rounders, two spinner, two seamers (or a variation on the same) and take it from there.  And if you have excess slots filled with all rounders who are playing as spinners, at least have the decency to blood a colt and give the decent player back to the twos.

[The Palmist]

1. Let the chairman or some other executive do team selection, this way no one can blame you for not picking them.
2. Tea will go around in rotas.
3. Appoint a money collector on the day.
4. Rotate other bits among players.
5. Give people a role on the day.
6. Don't be tempted to do things yourself because you know you will do a better job.

Sit back and enjoy your game.

[Alvaro]

1. Let the chairman or some other executive do team selection, this way no one can blame you for not picking them.
2. Tea will go around in rotas.
3. Appoint a money collector on the day.
4. Rotate other bits among players.
5. Give people a role on the day.
6. Don't be tempted to do things yourself because you know you will do a better job.

Sit back and enjoy your game.

The status quo:
1. Not a chance of this happening
2. Cry off captain does these as penury. They're meaty...
3. First dropped catch does this - fail safe
4. I'm not putting the flags out...
5. I'm not scoring either...
6. I find plenty to do!

I think I'm just a stressed s.o.b.!

Thanks for your input