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[Tail Ender]

I'm sure we all know that cricket is the most beautiful game in the world to play at times, but it can also be the most furiously frustrating game in the world at times. So a simple question for you all - why do you play? What makes you come back year after year? Do you want to eclipse last season's record run/wicket total? Or was last season a bust and you can't give up on such a poor note? Do you just enjoy the social aspects? Do you thrive on the competitiveness? Are you a hopeless romantic when it comes to the game? Or do you just play for fun?

I'll get the ball rolling here. I play because I suffer with depression and I need an outlet to do something physical and just for me that I enjoy. I was encouraged to get back into it by my psychologist some years ago, after not playing for a number of years. I play for the sake of my mental well being, which is why I don't get as fired up about it as some guys I play with. When I play I want to win and do the best I can, and I want to enjoy it. But ultimately, it gives me something to look forward to each week in the form of training and a game. It gets me out of the house to do something physical and that I have always loved.

[Seniorplayer]

Nice post Tail Ender

[ProCricketer1982]

I find I really really enjoy batting. I find it relaxing and enjoyable and keeps my mind happy.  I suppose it's partly why I like training so hard, means I'm batting, sadly I now get more enjoyment from a proper net session than games due to how people seem to play nowadays.

[Rob580]

I'm starting to think i play purely because i don't know what i'd do if i didn't play cricket.

[Neon Cricket]

A mixture of reasons really, the main 3 have to be;

1. I love the game, that's clear enough to see
2. Spending Saturday's with the lads, good excuse for a day away from the missus
3. There is no better way to spend a hot summers day - cricket, teas, cricket, cider

Result.

[WalkingWicket37]

The cake at tea!

[Seniorplayer]

I play because i enjoy all aspects of  the game ( apart from the travelling ) and always look forward to the  season starting and then the weekend. But i to are getting  more  saddened each season  due to the behaviour of  certain teams and individuals.

[DACD 1987]

Trying to re-capture old glorys. 

No seriously the collective feel good of the team when you win or play well is brilliant, even at 50!!!!!

[TangoWhiskey]

All of the above and more besides. I just enjoy practically everything involved with it. The gentle exercise, pitching in with the jobs, the team, personal performance, being outside, everything!

Oh, I don't like the rain.

[smilley792]

My dad was a great cricketer in the local area, so watched every sat/wed and started playing at an Ages I could.

He passed away when I was 13, and I stopped as struggled to get around. But at 15 I found a club I could easily travel to and decided to take the game back up in his memory. And still playing there 16 years on.

[mattcoll12491]

The fact I have spent too much on equipment for me to stop playing.

[Alvaro]

I get to talk cricket... People do tend to think Im obsessed though.

The club I play at has very little infrastructure but good people, who I've played with for the last 6/7 years. We come from all walks of life but generally get on - in my job it's pretty much the same type of people, so the variety of experience is good. Being a captain and responsible for a club's future can also be motivating and a real problem at different times but I think it's helped me understand people better. So it's been good pastorally and for one's life skills (I hope).

As a kid, coming from a broken home, it was a good way of getting out of the house and away from it all.

[simonmay5]

I got brought up with cricket and have always loved the game I only realised how much I missed it when I got seriously ill and ended up having 24 operations I got told I would never play again and to me that was the kick up the (No Swearing Please) I needed to try and overcome my condition and I had the all clear in march so this will be my first full season for a long time 

[Stuey]

I absolutely love cricket.
I spend Mon/tues at work looking forward to training on wednesday, then thursday and friday looking forward to playing at the weekend.
Tomorrow is pretty much my ideal day, helping run my son's under 9's game in the morning, then racing to our 11.45 meet for my match in the afternoon, all hopefully in brilliant sunshine then beers in the clubhouse in the evening......life doesn't get much better. my wifes even stopped moaning about it

[Pitbull]

Been attending cricket matches for as long as I can remember watching my dad to now playing myself. Can't  think of anything more I'd want to do on a Saturday, it's just everything about it, playing, being with the lads and ultimately having a laugh.