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[ProCricketer1982]

Agree. Part of it is the money sloshing around some areas of the club game. When I was in Yorkshire ( no means the only place), there so many paid players in some leagues it was silly. Anybody with a fraction of ability was getting something from someone. It gives some players an importance they don't deserve. Of course this feeds into other clubs as even the offer of paid match fees or petrol money sets a precedent. Even clubs who don't pay have to chase players as numbers participating get less. If you want a decent player but only wants to turn up 10 mins before the game and "has to be somewhere" 10 mins after, what do you do?

Personal opinion is you tell them where to go. However, so me clubs are focused I the winning so allow it. It is hard though and I understand why people allow players to get away with being egos and wanting money etc.

[Maverick79]

Feel your pain with this as feeling like taking a break myself as to much politics about too many "what's in it for me" people

Really thinking of knocking it on head for a while but will see season out I think then make a call

Definitely got this feeling this season and not played as regularly as I might as a result. Off on holiday next week so time to take stock with regards to next season. A lot of issues I'm struggling to see past at the minute

[ProCricketer1982]

So, of so many of us (a small section of the playing public), fancy a change etc... How do you attract said players to move to 'your' club?

What are we all looking for when we debate what club to move too??

Success on the field ?
Good facilities?
Youth sections ?
Lots of games available?
Good marketing ?
Maybe a 'family' club feel which many say they are but are nothing more than win at all costs clubs

[jamferg]

Let me know if you still need a trial bat if your who i think you are mate?

Dave,

I am who I think I am.... ( I think!) can I have one please? :-)

[Montys Beard]

I can't imagine how 5th XI captains cope!

The answer is very badly. I used to captain my clubs 3rd XI - the lowest team. We'd have 33 on a Wednesday, then 30 or less on a Friday.I genuinely used to have an "Emergency player" e-mail list and little black book of numbers. Would get back up to 33, this would then usually be followed by the club captain calling me saying we had another drop out so back to square one. A common site was me standing outside of a pub on a Friday night calling everyone in my phone book asking if they wanted a game.

I'm genuinely excited about this season (having moved to Aus and a new club), being able to just play and not have to worry about admin/chasing players/politics.

[GarrettJ]

Does everyone on here continue playing in the winter?

Surely a rest from September to February is needed so then you are itching to play again come April.

Me personally, I don't touch a cricket bat from September to February, in fact cricket never crosses my mind.

[Montys Beard]

I used to leave cricket alone for a couple of months and play rugby. But then with a growing club there's always things to be done etc...

I'm playing through the winter down here, bit of LMS just to get used to the Astro Aussie decks....

[AverageCricketer]

I used to leave cricket alone for a couple of months and play rugby. But then with a growing club there's always things to be done etc...

I'm playing through the winter down here, bit of LMS just to get used to the Astro Aussie decks....

Where do you play? Never even heard anyone talk about it!

[Montys Beard]

Sydney, Last Man Stands tournament. There's winter cricket in most states though if you're AU based mate. If you're in the UK you're lucky if you get a game in summer let alone winter.

[Jenko]

I used to play all year round when I lived in Brisbane....grade cricket summer and then high level warehouse cricket comp in winter - and that's just the name of the comp, it's normal outdoor cricket just played in winter, not in a big shed

[AverageCricketer]

I'm in Sydney, and I thought winter cricket was limited overs and all that. Never knew it was just another name for LMS, but I never played winter cricket as I player soccer in the winter. Thanks

[uknsaunders]

Does everyone on here continue playing in the winter?

Surely a rest from September to February is needed so then you are itching to play again come April.

Me personally, I don't touch a cricket bat from September to February, in fact cricket never crosses my mind.

I think the English cricket season is pushing more and more into September, almost to the end of it. Weather appears better than April and generally dry. Depending on the club you play for, you can play all of April-Sept, leaving only Oct-Mar free. Most people net indoors in the winter from Jan-Mar, I think we probably need the practise more than you! Only period nobody does anything is Oct-Dec.

[smilley792]

Indoor league is october till march. Winter nest January till April, and the odd net before Xmas when enough interested!

I prfer to keep my eye in over winter.

[philharr]

Got to say a lot of the posts here sound very familiar!  I'm really questioning if I want to play next year.  My team are leading the league and hopefully we will get promotion but personally I am having a shocker of a year and am wondering if it is worth turning out next year. Not managed a score above 35 so far and think I should be doing so much better.  To top it all off I dropped an absolute sitter at the weekend whilst fielding (luckily didn't cost us too much in runs).  Beginning to dread Saturdays!

Not sure whether I should look at some 1 to 1 coaching over the winter to see if I can improve or to just sit the next season out and see whether my love/passion for cricket comes back.

[Stuey]

Get some coaching and practise in, its too good a game to walk away from.