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[pablomarmite]

We have huge game this weekend cup semi final and my star player is unavailable. No reason he is just unavailable. He misses games periodically especially when we are short and then turns up half way through to watch! I was wondering do you guys have frustrating members like this? and what do you do with them? I've asked why he is unavailable and he hasn't replied. If I had any hair left I would be tearing it out! I've vowed not to select him again if he doesn't play this weekend. Am I over reacting?

[brokenbat]

We have huge game this weekend cup semi final and my star player is unavailable. No reason he is just unavailable. He misses games periodically especially when we are short and then turns up half way through to watch! I was wondering do you guys have frustrating members like this? and what do you do with them? I've asked why he is unavailable and he hasn't replied. If I had any hair left I would be tearing it out! I've vowed not to select him again if he doesn't play this weekend. Am I over reacting?

"Star player".. comes with the territory. Just ask Kumble

[Churchy1989]

End of the day it's a cricket game and it's a lot to play every week, some times you have to accept that people need down time away from cricket.

I tried to get out of playing for the 1st co this week as it's a 11:15 meet with a 1pm start and won't be home until 9-9:30 ish. If rather play at home so I can actually to a few things in the morning and have plans on the evening. But my whole Saturday will be cricket.

[ppccopener]

I wouldn't waste any energy stressing or pulling at your hair if it's a bit thin on top.

Cricket is a team game you do what is best for the team, yes we are all judged by runs and wickets but you have to look beyond that sometimes.

Teams that are more than the sum of their parts will always do well.

Pick someone else, you never know maybe they just need a chance. 'Star player' can watch or contribute next time.

And yes I've skippered for many years so have come across this before.

Good luck with the match

[Seniorplayer]

We have guys who pick there matches    we pick next weeks team after the match giving the players who have played the first opportunity to play but if someone  Wants to play when when it suits them we accommodate them when we haven't got eleven from the previous  match which for us  is most  Saturdays.

[pablomarmite]

I've selected someone else. It's a bit of a grudge match I wanted my best team possible. Ironically the 1s star player is missing he has decided he is finished for season so I was missing my opening bat who stepped up and this guy was my No 3 and spin option. I'm also carrying one guy as I hadn't guts to drop him as wouldn't be eligible for 3s who are also playing in cup semi so he would have been cricketless for weekend and he plays every week for me and gives his best.

I haven't been in too many Cup semi finals in career so it's a bit of a big deal and just wanted us to have our best team.

[Vitas Cricket]

I hate it when players declare they are unavailable and then turn up ten minutes after the start and watch the whole game supping beers. I generally 'politely' tell them to leave, come back at 6 lol

[NT50]

I hate it when players declare they are unavailable and then turn up ten minutes after the start and watch the whole game supping beers. I generally 'politely' tell them to leave, come back at 6 lol

We have this problem on Sundays. Most of our Saturday 1/2's over the age of 20 wont play Sundays because they don't like the slightly more village standard. But will be there at 1:30 and stay till after the game!

[pablomarmite]

I hate it when players declare they are unavailable and then turn up ten minutes after the start and watch the whole game supping beers. I generally 'politely' tell them to leave, come back at 6 lol

I am afraid he is one of those! We are away but I've no doubt he will be watching 1s at some stage. He should be in 1s every week but they have ran out of patience with him too. Earlier in season he couldn't play a 1s t20 game. I turned up at half time and saw him with his coloured shirt on and said was glad to see he played in end oh no he was down watching. His excuse had been it was his girlfriend's gym night so he had to stay in with daughter. Turned out she was no longer a member. The 3 of them watched the entire game.

As I've no reason for his absence this week I can only go on what I've heard from his mate and that he can't play because it is date night!

[uknsaunders]

As a general rule, the more talented the player the more likely he'll be a liability when it comes to availability. How many times have you seen a rubbish player muck you around, probably 10 times less (but it does happen).

Moral of the story, build a team around 11 men, if you can.

[Tailendfielder]

Best player we've had prefers beer. Watches and gets smashed most weeks. We gave up on him, he occasionally says, i'm avail next week or ill play next season .... Just to tease everyone or put pressure on first team skipper to beg him to play.

[northernboy1987]

I've skippered for a few years now and I never ask why people are unavailable, if they say they can't/don't want to play that's their issue, I'd rather go and play with 10 men than waste my time begging people to play who don't want to. Fortunately it's a very rare occurrence at our club and most of our guys make themselves available unless there's a genuine reason.

[pablomarmite]

As a general rule, the more talented the player the more likely he'll be a liability when it comes to availability. How many times have you seen a rubbish player muck you around, probably 10 times less (but it does happen).

Moral of the story, build a team around 11 men, if you can.

He shouldn't just be playing 1s he should be playing Prem league for someone.  I think it comes down to fact I'm a lot more obsessed with cricket than I should be! I wish I had half his talent I've played for 20+ years practice at least once a week and don't seem to get any better! As per the post title he is frustrating and I am frustrated!

Well as it's a semi final we get league umpires so that is a novelty hope weather holds or it is a bowl out.

[pablomarmite]

I've skippered for a few years now and I never ask why people are unavailable, if they say they can't/don't want to play that's their issue, I'd rather go and play with 10 men than waste my time begging people to play who don't want to. Fortunately it's a very rare occurrence at our club and most of our guys make themselves available unless there's a genuine reason.

I skippered for years at a 1 team club and struggled for players so every week was a begging match! So force of habit. Now I captain 2s in a 4 team club so you are right I should just say nothing and move on to the next person.
The guy I called up has been hols for few weeks and thanked me for picking him, believing in him and said he would give me 100%. So maybe I've learned a valuable lesson. Makes me even more likely not to select him again although what the selection committee will say is a different matter!

[Boondougal]

Best player we've had prefers beer. Watches and gets smashed most weeks. We gave up on him, he occasionally says, i'm avail next week or ill play next season .... Just to tease everyone or put pressure on first team skipper to beg him to play.

I guess this post sums up why "making it" takes more than talent.
You can have all he talent int he world but if you don't want too... ultimately you won't.