I would agree entirely with this. Being exposed to league cricket from the age of 14 was character forming both inside and outside of sport
I remember the first time I got called up to the 1st team - they were short, rather than nodding to my ability. This was the mid-80s, I was about 16. I came in at 11 for the final 9 balls, as we desperately fought for a draw against Old Sinjuns.
The No. 9 - a senior player - made no effort to get me off strike for the final over, though we both knew it would be bowled by P. Goldberg, the fastest and best bowler in the division by some distance. So, I took guard and managed to deal with the first 4 balls. 3 I didn't see, but they missed. The 4th was a Yorker I dug out. The 5th hit me on the front pad, massive shout, not given. The final ball clean bowled me but was called as a no-ball. Suffering prolonged.
Properly fired up, Goldberg tore in again, and bowled me again. Game over. I walked off in some shock, and nobody talked to me at all for about half an hour. Mental. Welcome to the 1s !