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[SOULMAN1012]

So I'm on the train for the next 3 hours on my way to Edgbaston for the test match. I've been thinking for a while now how long can I keep keeping wicket for. I'm not old at 32 but I've been keeping since I was 15 and for most of that sat and Sunday each week. My fingers are already bent and out of shape and give me problems in the winter when it's cold.
This season though I have started having real trouble with the bottom of my back and it's causing me some trouble with what I can only describe as back spasms.
I really enjoy keeping as always in the game and allows me to be quite vocal and get into the game, I also feel that this season along with last has been my best years as a keeper and I'm in the prime of my wicket keeping having put in a lot of time and practise, was asked at the weekend to move to a EAPL club for my keeping as skipper was impressed (my current club probably play 3-4 leagues lower than our teams ability due to moving league structure)
So what do I do and has anyone been in this situation? I'm also an opening bat so my body doesn't get a lot of rest time but Intel that keeping improved my batting as I have best ideas of what the pitch is doing, pace, bounce etc.
We do not have any younger keepers coming through the ranks either as quite a small club

[Akewstick]

I'm really not in the best position to answer this as I'm a bit younger than you and I've never kept, but: Do you do gym work? I know you don't get time to rest during the season, but with the winter coming up, barbell lifting, squats and deadlifts are going to improve your stability and strength in your back, I'm sure that'll help with the horrible back-bending work of keeping and batting next season?

Just a thought.

[Buzz]

I would start to improve your out fielding!
I have enjoyed life grazing in the field quite a lot having stood at slip for about 8 seasons, not the same I know, but as close as I can offer! My throwing remains terrible.

You need to help the next generation of keepers at your club/help attract a new keeper or two

[Gurujames]

I'm 41 but have arthritis in my left knee. This restricts my running and I find it difficult to bend down on my left side. As a consequence I volunteered to play for our 2nd XI although our 1st team captain wanted me in his team.
I'm not concerned about being competitive anymore and have little interest in my personal performance. Instead I only play to enjoy myself and a load of beers after. That said we are unbeaten this season, but that is mainly due to a league restructure which prevented the team from being promoted last season.
However, the poor quality of the opposition and my inability to run as I used to has me thinking that this may be my last year of playing week in week out.  The only thing that really keeps me going is the pleasure in using all of my bats. In terms of my form I have batted as well as I ever have and I am yet to drop a catch but I'm not the future of the club/team so it would be better long term for me to step aside.

[iand123]

... allows me to be quite vocal and get into the game...

You vocal? Never!!! 

[justnotcricket86]

@SOULMAN1012 - keep on going for as long as you enjoy it mate. I am 30 and have developed some pretty bad back problems recently but still enjoy it.

However, if you do decide to hang them up - let me know as I'll have all your kit

[SOULMAN1012]

I would start to improve your out fielding!
I have enjoyed life grazing in the field quite a lot having stood at slip for about 8 seasons, not the same I know, but as close as I can offer! My throwing remains terrible.

You need to help the next generation of keepers at your club/help attract a new keeper or two

Nothing wrong with my out fielding Buzz and on the odd occasion enjoy it as I don't keep in T20 as a lad that just plays in out T20 does that as he enjoys it

[SOULMAN1012]

You vocal? Never!!! 

Yeo hard to believe I know, I generally love getting in little battles with batters, nothing nasty at all just love the banter that can be generated from it

[SOULMAN1012]

I'm really not in the best position to answer this as I'm a bit younger than you and I've never kept, but: Do you do gym work? I know you don't get time to rest during the season, but with the winter coming up, barbell lifting, squats and deadlifts are going to improve your stability and strength in your back, I'm sure that'll help with the horrible back-bending work of keeping and batting next season?

Just a thought.

Yes do quite a lot of gym work as lost a couple of stone in the last 18months as I knew that wasn't helping things and I got to the point where I was generally fat, 2 personal trading sessions a week and 2 weights sessions per week.

I may try a specialist in the off season to see about helping my back

[Seniorplayer]

My thoughts Chris are keep doing both as long as you can but listen to your body regardless of fitness work if keeping opening and playiny Sat &Sun begins to hurt on a Monday if you want to extent your playing career  or it affects your ability with the bat decide do I keep once a week do I keep Sat and Sun and bat lower down do I play once a week and do all three do I play and not keep etc etc from experience and injurys I knew the only way I could keep playing giving 100 percent  effort and  in particular as an opening bat was to give up bowling followed  by going from playing nearly every Sat and Sun plus Midweek for many summers was to drop to one Saturday game.

[Biggie Smalls]

Simple . When all your bats break and you've been issued your pension card .

Take anti inflammatory meds , snake oil....whatever you need . Maybe bat in the middle order to give your back more rest . Do a shed load of abdominal work and cross those crooked fingers and hope for longevity!

[tim2000s]

Well Chris, I'd say only when you're tired of the game. I'm 40 and still running in. I'm no longer as fast as I used to be, but swing and seam are my friends. Saturdays don't knock me out for the week and I do a lot of gym work to keep fit and strong. I'd never say never. Cricketers don't get old and give up, they just get old and move down the leagues to easier pastures, allowing the newer guard to come through.

[sarg]

I agree with @tim2000s. I'm 46 this season and still love playing. I've changed clubs and am still welcomed in. If you love playing it doesn't matter the grade. Yes I carry injuries but I have no regrets. I'll go out when I'm ready.

[ProCricketer1982]

If you're thinking about it then stop now before you fall away. Just take up grazing in the field and enjoy batting.

[Gardiner1886]

If you've got a bad back you've either got an injury or a weak back. If it's weak you need to do lots of core exercises, Squats and deadlifts. If you're are carrying a injury you need to rest else you'll never get better. Maybe have the rest of the season off from keeping and when you feel better start training ready for next season.