Mens League Cricket

[PowerPenguin]

Maybe its the weather, maybe its the start of the season. Maybe both? But I have a sudden desire to get back into cricket again. Being 16 its likely I will be too old for junior sides, so I guess I will have to play 2nd or 3rd team mens cricket.

Does anyone on here play this kinda cricket? I was reasonably good when I stopped, I think I got a bit dispondent after a bad season so I should be able to get back into it. I hope. 3 years is a long time to go without playing competitively though isn't it?

To give you an idea of my ability, it was recommended I trial for the county but I let my peers talk me out of it and quite frankly didn't have the confidence. I think thats kind of where my 'career' took a downward turn. I used to get terribly nervous out in the middle, so kind of pushed and prodded at alot of balls so got out quickly. I think my top score was about 12* in the season I quit.

I would ask my dad, but as he used to play for the county a loooong time ago, he's very keen for me to play again, so might sugar coat mens cricket to get me playing again.

Tear me to shreds lads.

Dave

PS: Whats the lightest bat on the market at the mo?

[pie_chucker]

I dont know where you are based but up here a lot of clubs are crying out for players and there are leagues to suit all standards.

You'd be better off playing mens cricket because you'll develop far quicker as a player and expectations on you will be lower.

Most bats nowadays are quite heavy, but dont go for deadweight see how the bat "picks up". The old fashioned way of comparing pick up is to complete your backlift using your top hand again most modern bats have a fairly light pickup despite weighing the best part of 3lbs.

Oh, and I know players who would kill for a top score of 12!

[adamberry]

Mine's only 14... and I bat at number 3.

Ditto what p_c said, most clubs are crying out for players. Our club will quite regularly start a season with a squad of over 20, by the end of the season we're perennially scraping the barrel to put out a full team. Any team would, I'm sure, be glad to have you.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by adamberry

Mine's only 14... and I bat at number 3.

Since being in New Zealand, I would have killed to score double figures.... Last year my batting average was 0.33333; this year at one stage it was 1.5, but thanks to a few 1s and 2s not out and (finally) reaching 14, I finished with an average of 7ish.

Fortunately, I salvaged something from the season on the last day, bowling 19 consecutive overs of pik'n'mix, bagging figures of 19-3-49-5. I'd only taken one league wicket before - and the five wickets I took were the opposition's top five.

Oh, and btw, I didn't take up cricket until I'd left university and was 22/23 years old, I'd only ever played a single game for my school and never had any coaching (explains my batting average really) - so at the age of 16 you'll have no problems getting back into the swing of proper league cricket.

[PowerPenguin]

I've just been on Morrant.com and priced up a full bag of Hunts County stuff and it came to £192. Helmet, wheelie bag, the lot. Is that about right? If any of you want to go and recommend some good stuff for me then I would be very grateful.

I'll be sending dad to have a word with some of his old cricketing buddies tommorow, see where they are now as regards to clubs.

One thing though, I asked this same question in an off topic golf forum, and someone said this:

After been there done it with the whole game of cricket , be prepared for 25 overs fielding at third man and batting a 9 or 10 no matter how good you are as a kid in a mans game.

Will that happen?

Dave

[pie_chucker]

For kit try your local independant shop (if you have one). Mine will price match stuff off t'internet and you have the advantage of trying the kit on etc... find out where the players in the local leagues shop.

For example i got a Gray Nicholls helmet for £24. Most of the stuff online is more expensive than his shop, but if you dont have a local shop then you have no option.
Yes, you will probably field fine leg - fine leg and bat 10 or 11. I did and most people i know did, you have to start somewhere! After a while if you score runs you'll soon move up the order. If you show you can field you'll soon get moved from to a decent position, trust me!

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

I did and most people i know did, you have to start somewhere! After a while if you score runs you'll soon move up the order. If you show you can field you'll soon get moved from to a decent position, trust me!

I think this depends how good a team you start playing for. The first team I played for were pretty poor and we all had turns at batting various different places in the order, except the bowlers who generally propped up the tail; and unless your captain is a bastard, you shouldn't be expected to run from fine leg to fine leg every sodding over. I certainly wouldn't do that. Personally, the bowlers should be fielding at fine leg when not bowling to ensure that their fielding is kept down to a minimum to conserve their energy for their bowling efforts (incidentally, I wasn't afforded this luxury when bowling my 19 over stint as being one of the better fielders in the side, I was expected to field at either point or mid-wicket and the ball kept getting hit to me - sod's law really)

Also, another way to guarantee a move up the order at a low grade of cricket is by going to practise and nets as most of the players in the lower grades will only turn up on Saturday and not practise!!

[pie_chucker]

When I startted playing (about 16 years or so ago ) I would say the standard was much higher then and you had to serve time as it were.

I know our 3rd team skipper always tries to give everyone a game.

Dont worry, as a young lad you'll probably not get stuck at fine leg nowadays, as most of the older players who are, shall we say not as fit or as light as they were 20 years ago will demand that you field in the covers to save them from chasing the ball!