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[Seniorplayer]

Quite old now in cricketing terms can't  run that fast in the field or between the wickets but eyes still good  feet movement good  Okay for to bat for 30 overs at the top of the order before concentration and stamina goes.

[SwingAndMiss]

I'm in transition, was a medium pace economy bowler and low order tonker, injuries have forced a change and last season was moved up order (1-4) and medium pace is now slow dibbly dobbly. Batting got better as season went on, bowling started well, but as I was used less and less it went very downhill. Captain wants me to focus on opening the batting and not bowling, which I understand because I sucked last season, but will see how I do at nets, see if I can get my shoulders working. I did notice as I struggled with my bowling my fielding improved, trying harder to make up for poor bowling.

[Northern monkey]

Had a decent eye when I was younger, and a good fielder that could bowl a decent in swinging Yorker .
But lacked patience when batting

Still play coulda shoulda woulda, but the pasts the past.

Still love playing, and will carry on as long as my optometrist and chiropractor can keep me playing

[Manormanic]

Reminds me of a former team-mate of a few seasons ago.  Played England age-group and minor counties but evidently found it all too serious and gave it up in his 20s.  Didn't pick up a bat for 25 years or so but got badgered by his missus to play for his local village team to get him out of the house at weekends.  Fantastic batsman with timing to die for, and playing alongside blokes not worthy to tie his shoelaces (though was always very complimentary about my ability  ), but not an arrogant bone in his body, absolutely the opposite of the stereotype in this thread.  Just played for fun, though horrifically injury-prone.

Mind you I've met other guys who used to be "good" and go on and on about it...

Ah for me it wasn't the standard - highest I played was a few County U19 games that were nowhere near as impressive as they sound (I was a squad player after the professional Academy had taken nine out of consideration, so the equivalent of a good county U19 3rd XI player!) and a bit of NYSD D1 & Northern Prem on a few quid a game.  It was more the constant expectation (I was better at rugby and it was even worse there), the feeling that you'd never quite been good enough.

That's enough of my complex psyche though!

As for going on about it, I occasionally give our lads some stick about how many runs I've scored for the club - best guess I must be pushing 20k now - but that's my post injury, fun career as a batsman with twenty variations on the forward defensive.  I can't say too much about my earlier days as a quickie because, well, they only know me as the broken down old lad who can't even turn his arm over anymore.  I kinda like it that way! 

[Manormanic]

Incidentally, am I the only one having this discussion and feeling suddenly a whole lot better about the game? 

[jbrommo]

In all honesty i was never good enough to play 1st 11 at my club, but saw myself as a good 2nd team player. Nowadays i'm really not great, but play in the 3rds to help the club. I'd like to think my experience of 25 years league cricket helps our kids to be better, but of course they know better!

[tushar sehgal]

Accessing my ability wasn't hard but what really is hard is to keep it current and accept it. In my head I am a early 20 something fit guy but reality is I am older with lots of injuries and not half as good as I once was


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[ProCricketer1982]

I like to think I realistic about my own and others ability tbh. The reasons I think so is because I've come to the game late ( 2009) and couldn't bat (basically had the moo and that's it) and couldn't land the ball on the wicket. By the end of 2009 I'd got 34 wickets and could bowl (probably around 70mph but could swing /seam it almost at will). Did my knee in 2010 winter so missed 2010 season totally and went from 22 selection fitness to fat codger. Obviously with no knee, no fitness and lost pace I couldn't bowl so learnt to bat.

Since 2011 I've basically been like the 13yr old youth at your club and am now like 18 in my development. Will I ever reach the potential I obviously have?? Nah, doubt it as the body will let me down but I enjoying trying to be as good as I can while learning as I go. I'm joe average IMO, to me people in the premier leagues should be nearly pro class but sadly the level just isn't that high so it's quite disappointing to see he lack of quality around. I think I'd make an average prem class opener in another year or so but don't see the point of doing it as all it means is pressure and I starting to want to just play for fun.

[19reading87]

In all honesty i was never good enough to play 1st 11 at my club, but saw myself as a good 2nd team player. Nowadays i'm really not great, but play in the 3rds to help the club. I'd like to think my experience of 25 years league cricket helps our kids to be better, but of course they know better!

Jump in the car with @Maverick79 and have a change next year

[Stuey]

One minute I'm deluded the next minute I'm rubbish, but since having kids I've been able to add some perspective. I'm enjoying cricket more now than I ever have, just wish I had the time to play as many games I could when in my 20s.

[Vulcan Cricket]

Iam 33 now and in all my years of cricket it only takes one ball to get out and one ball to get some one out if you enjoy your cricket no matter what level you play at cricket has a funny way of comeing back to bite you

[jwebber86]

im a very happy village cricketer. i usually open the batting and know i will have 2-3 match winnings in the season. i bolw medium pace and get a few wickets and dont go for many runs.

i know im never to to play at a high standard and i enjoy playing in my local league

[Cover_Drive]

I am tad perplexed on this. I know I was terrible and have improved since I started playing club cricket (in 2009), but I am still not good enough as I think I can become better. Few guys know me how I was in the beginning and how I am now who have helped me tremendously, in particular @Buzz and @roco

I practice with those who play top level of club cricket in Canada (or North America). Maybe seeing them I am deluded but then I wish to try and fail rather fail by not trying.

I just try to enjoy cricket. I pay to play, and play where I'm picked. As long as I make some runs and help the team win then that's enough. I have enough worries in real life to add to the load where crickets concerned.

My favourite post of all time.

[tim2000s]

In my head I am a early 20 something fit guy but reality is I am older with lots of injuries and not half as good as I once was

Lol, I know what you mean @tushar sehgal . Since I started back at the gym last year, I've found I regained a couple of yards of pace and it showed this summer, where I was actually being begged to play for one of the first times in my life! I think they were just short... Still, nice to know that at nearly 40 I am still considered good enough to play 2s level cricket...

[northernboy1987]

I live off past glories, still bat in the top 6 despite not making a score over 50 (plenty of 30's and 40's!)for three seasons because I hold the club record for most runs in a season and a couple of other batting records. Truth is my batting has been rubbish for 3-4 seasons but my team still believes I'm one of the best top order players we have and we don't play a high standard and I don't feel like I'm a worse batsman than the guys below me in the order so I haven't asked to be moved. Although saying that I was skipper last year and did demote myself from nailed on number 4 down to 5/6 most weeks and played as an all rounder, did top our wickets tally though

Should point out due to work commitments I've only played midweek T20 for the past 7 years.

TL;DR: I suck and always have (probably always will) but I get to play twice a week with a group of my oldest mates and we win more than we lose (just) and get to go for a pint afterwards on what other wise would be very boring Wednesday/Thursday nights.