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[Manormanic]

A bit of a different topic to consider guys - how do you know when its time to go?

I'm 38 now.  I've always been a cricket-nut - I started played when I wsa seven and, aside from a year off when my knee had to be completely reconstructed, have always played widely - as a junior I once managed 114 games of cricket and 68 of rugby in a single calender year, and even as a senior I've usually been in the mid-50s until last season.   But over the last 18 months, life has changed a lot - lost two parents, undergone a few other changes and the truth is, I din't enjoy playing at all last year.

Its not that I did particularly badly - 450 league runs in the ones, decent enough level - though I am well aware that I'm in the last phase of my evolution as a cricketer - the top club level quick went with the knee injury to be replaced by an improving batsman.  Well, now I'm definitely back to being a declining batsman, and the fielding is starting to hurt...

So, is it time?

[SwingAndMiss]

It's down to enjoyment at the end of the day. If there's still enjoyment to be had then carry on, even if you cut down a little, imagine how long a weekend is without cricket!!!

[tom line]

I think it depends on a number of things. Maybe you should miss some of next season and see whether you notice not doing and don't enjoy the fact your not playing. As well as that I think you need to decide whether although you didn't enjoy it much last season whether maybe dropping down to a lower level might bring you back some enjoyment and lastly whether you have other things which you would prefer to do. I think you only ever know when you have had enough when you can answer those questions without regret or uncertainty.

[Seniorplayer]

I don't believe the time to go should be decided by age or the number of runs or wickets taken decisions should be made around  your own enjoyment and how much your body hurts  and how long it takes to recover I do agree though if playing  Is  in your blood  when we stop  for whatever reason we will all miss it.

[InternalTraining]

The most important factor for me is enjoyment and people I play with. It is very hard to find a group of people that you enjoy playing cricket with.

[Tailendfielder]

I play rugby as well as cricket and i have really bad knee problems. I considered retiring from rugby this season but then i remembered what a saturday afternoon feels like when cricket is rained off and changed my kind.

Think about what you would be doing instead.

[WalkingWicket37]

You know you've had enough when the floor is unstable when you stand up, your lips have gone numb and the bar lady who was a ropey 4 when you went in becomes a 9/10. Don't purchase anything other than a McDonald's or a kebab while in this state...
Oh, wait. Enough Of playing cricket. 

[waikik]

My advise is to take a year or two off, your far to young to give it away.
You don't stop loving cricket you just get a bit tied of it.
After a break find a team that plays more for the enjoyment and company of each other.
I've known quite a few blokes that have done this and they come back to the game
like they were kids again, each week looking forward to Saturday coming around as quickly as possible.

[Gurujames]

If you're not enjoying it because you don't get on with the people in your team then move clubs.
I'm 40 and I suffer in the field. My shoulder hurts when I bowl, my elbow hurts when I throw (limit myself to 3 hard throws a game).
I have had a knee athroscopy and I'm having my other knee done tomorrow.
I also still play hockey.
Sometimes I get frustrated with myself/teammates, but at the end of the day sport is a good way to spend a day.

[Whispering Death]

I've stopped playing league cricket on Saturday when my daughter was born and just now play pub standard t20 on a Monday night- best decision I ever made. Maybe this is a way you could go, playing for fun for me is now far more important than stats, etc

[ProCricketer1982]

Simply has to be down to enjoyment. If the enjoyment isn't there then it's time to consider why. Is it the fact that winning isn't quite as important anymore but enjoying it is.. Are the opposition teams to serious to be enjoyable?

Is it the amount of time it takes ? If so, (although it's not cricket) 2020 evening crap might be the answer for a season

[Northern monkey]

I'll give up when I'm told too
I've played over 40yrs now, from local club stuff to lancs and ribb league and now back to local club stuff in Oxfordshire
I couldn't imagine not playing? I've missed seasons due to injuries,(back and knees, and eye op), missed to look after my son for a coupla years when I split up with his mum,(who hated cricket!) and missed a few odd games here and there for whatever reason.
I've met people from all walks of life and all parts of the world, who all shared a love for cricket,
Played at some lovely grounds .
Introduced my son to the game.
Made many many friends from playing.

Just joined a gym, and just been told I've still got twenty twenty vision, so roll on next year as physically there's no reason I can't carry on playing
Mentally, I'm still as hungry to PLAY, as I was 40yrs ago

[ppccopener]

Echo that I think I'm going to play until the whole body gives up! Currently carrying a shoulder injury,neck injury and the worst injury of all....my ability is fading
But the key,as has been said,is enjoyment and realising you ain't as good as you were at 25
If I could play with a bunch of mates now like I used to-I wouldn't care about anything else 

[jamielsn15]

I turned 40 in July. Probably fitter now than in my mid late 20s so fitness isn't an issue. I guess for me I missed out on eight years of playing, through working abroad and uni. I absolute love playing and I'm a better player than before I took a break.
I have goals in the game. A maiden ton, helping the team to promotion and bringing younger players through.
My advice? See how you feel at the start of the season and if you feel the same as now, take a year out. That will hopefully add some perspective and help you figure out your cricket future.

[uknsaunders]

A bit of a different topic to consider guys - how do you know when its time to go?

I'm 38 now.  I've always been a cricket-nut - I started played when I wsa seven and, aside from a year off when my knee had to be completely reconstructed, have always played widely - as a junior I once managed 114 games of cricket and 68 of rugby in a single calender year, and even as a senior I've usually been in the mid-50s until last season.   But over the last 18 months, life has changed a lot - lost two parents, undergone a few other changes and the truth is, I din't enjoy playing at all last year.

Its not that I did particularly badly - 450 league runs in the ones, decent enough level - though I am well aware that I'm in the last phase of my evolution as a cricketer - the top club level quick went with the knee injury to be replaced by an improving batsman.  Well, now I'm definitely back to being a declining batsman, and the fielding is starting to hurt...

So, is it time?

Go and play at Marlow with Pistol ;-)

I think you can keep going until into your 50s. Fitness plays a big part in your later years but playing a level you can contribute to is also important. You don't have to be jonty Rhodes in the field and as long as people understand that then you can contribute in other ways.Experience is important.

I find now that I want to play cricket for the experience. New grounds and surroundings are my thing.  Are you sure the tvl treadmill hasn't just worn you down? It got to a point with me where I went direct to every ground as I knew them inside out.

As you get older I think you play for enjoyment and its worth trying another club, league, setup if you aren't enjoying it.

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