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[dhackett89]

Thought i would pick a few peoples brains on my current predicament

I have skippered my clubs firsts for two seasons now. I took over after only being at the club a year (although i had been at the club as a junior) in my first season we were promoted as champions back to the league we had yo yod from for the past 5 seasons or so. This season we comfortably stayed up finishing 8th out of 12th and in reality could have done better but for a bad finish.
However captaining this season has become very hard work. Selection has had me involved in picking all four teams. We have had issues with people having to take the dreaded number eight specialised batsman slot. And although trying to win in the first team is the main aim i have tried to give people a game as much as possible, which has sometimes cost us.

In the end the person who has usually ended up taking the role of batting eight has been myself so as too not annoy people. Although i have averaged 35 batting at five I've regularly dropped down to eight and even nine where I've just had to either block or throw me wicket away if I even get a bat.

I keep wicket as well and have found the combination very difficult of keeping batting and captaining, my keeping has definitely not been up to its usual standards because of captaining. A lot of other team members have told me I should drop one of the three. For me I want it to be the captaincy. But we have no one in the side either willing or a logical choice to take over. Meaning I either step down to concentrate on my own game which I believe could be good for the team but leave us unsettled as a side. Carry on the way we have been at the expense of my self. Or risk annoying people whilst looking after number one as captain.

Was wandering if any people have been in a similar situation where they have found they have found captaincy affecting them.

[Alvaro]

Give up keeping, bat where you like. You do the work you earn the right.

Your fingers will thank you.

[ProCricketer1982]

I do always wonder why everyone has to have a 'specialist 8', why not take a full extra bowler or a slogger instead of an actual batsmen ?

[dhackett89]

Specialised 8 comes from the fact we have 11 guys who want to bat and ever our bowlers all bat as a club we have masses of batting and no bowling! We have sloggers we have about eight slogger as well!

[WalkingWicket37]

I do always wonder why everyone has to have a 'specialist 8', why not take a full extra bowler or a slogger instead of an actual batsmen ?

I've been used as a "floating 8" a few times, normal batting order until the last 10-15 overs, then if we haven't lost many wickets I'm told to pad up and have fun if a wicket falls.

[ProCricketer1982]

Specialised 8 comes from the fact we have 11 guys who want to bat and ever our bowlers all bat as a club we have masses of batting and no bowling! We have sloggers we have about eight slogger as well!

Yes but if the bowlers have bowled then they've at least had a game. Do you not find batting that low a waste of time unless it's your game to smash it ?

[dhackett89]

Think it's just time at the crease really. When you have a side that is loaded with batting and only 300 balls to face you want to try and get your best players in for the majority of the time. Our problem comes for having a lack of bowlers who aren't also decent batsmen in the club. And in reality our best bowlers would bat 3 4 7 on merit and probably me as keeper at five you end up with a v strange looking side. I think its a problem of a lot of first team cricket that in reality seven players and four fielders is that make up of a side. Anybody who's a top fielder and loves doing it could play a very high level!

[ProCricketer1982]

Yes I agree at the amateur level you tend to find that you have all rounders who can hold there own doing both but I would always say unless they are significantly better then if they bowl then they bat lower down. Otherwise if the players have any sense the ones who really aren't getting much of a game will leave to quit playing. Which is not what we should want to happen.


Not that I know how to fix it other than standing up to the guy who wants to bat and bowl

[dhackett89]

It's not really any personal issues in my club and in fairness no one has ever really complained at missing out on doing anything. I just find it very difficult as a skipper to not be the guy who ends up down the order because I want to keep people happy. When in reality I'm 23 and should be getting as much batting as possible and on talent everyone tells me I'm a top order bat. Don't think people really realise the torment of captaincy until they do it!!!

[Number 11]

I would knock keeping on the head, concentrate on captaincy when fielding and batting.
As for batting order, pick who works best at what position then leave it alone. That is unless you have a catastrophe.

I've neen doing it for quite a few years now, just on Sunday afternoon friendlies, no one else seems to want to do it on a regular basis so I'm stuck with being God for the time being.

[mr_wickets]

Think this is an issue at most clubs. Problem is, at club level if you're a quality bat, chances are you can bowl a bit too. A lot of clubs have about 4 real quality players in their 1's that can bat in the top 5 and bowl 8 overs at the level they are at, therefore you're always going to be carrying a few guys.

[MD2812]

has anyone read Mike Brearly art of captaincy? I picked it up from a 2nd hand bookshop near me for £1 last weekend.

[dhackett89]

It's a tricky one. Always found it very strange not keeping when you've always done it. I'm sure it would probably help my game but giving up the gloves would probably hurt at first. Sure other keepers/former keepers would agree?

[ProCricketer1982]

Think this is an issue at most clubs. Problem is, at club level if you're a quality bat, chances are you can bowl a bit too. A lot of clubs have about 4 real quality players in their 1's that can bat in the top 5 and bowl 8 overs at the level they are at, therefore you're always going to be carrying a few guys.

Carrying players is fine as long as they are happy. I just don't get who'd be interested in playing and not getting regular proper cricket. Could just be me though.

If your 23 I'd personally stick to batting and skippering as keeping is bad for the knees and fingers

[dhackett89]

Completely agree! That's what makes being a first team captain more of a challenge than a lot of people might think. Personally I'd be happy to play as a fielder occasionally but not every week but I think it takes a clubman who sees the bigger picture to not moan about it. That's the predicament for a lot of ones captains in multi team set ups