July 1st will be the last match under the banner of MPAfirsteleven.
Check out www.greatberrycc.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Gavin and the nets
Hopefully some of you will have taken up Gavin's offer of a net practice tonight at Chalkwell Park. I'm hoping to go over there on Wednesday with him and Riley. I've been talking to Gavin and he's been giving me some good advice about practice - the main thing that he's said is that we need fielding practice catching balls and the like - he mentioned that (Boffa noticed this as well) when we were knocking the ball about catching it we were knocking it into the air, whereas we should be knocking it straight at each other off of the bat and yes it does hurt - but that's the nature of cricket balls - you have to learn to catch the ball properly. He also pointed out that it's a really dangerous to stick a bony part of your body out to stop a ball e.g. a foot/leg because if the balls does hit a divot in the grass and it's trajectory changes at the last moment you can find yourself with a broken ankle/shin etc. Use your body or best your thigh to stop the ball in those situations. We're doing so many things wrong and these blokes are offering to help in little ways - e.g. the nets, so if it's offered take it and listen to what they're saying and take it on board.
Team Ethos
There's a lot of opinions flying around at the moment with regards the team ethos - are we in it to win or are we doing it for a laugh. The situation is this the team is made up of several types from me - totally obsessed and committed but crap through to - totally crap with hardly any commitment - to probably very good but unaware that they're considered to be in the team. Different factions within the team have opinions about the way forward, outsiders have their opinion on what we should do and each and every one of their opinions has a degree of merit depending on how you as an individual perceive the teams ethos.
At the moment with the follow up match looming on the horizon and it's to be a 40 overs affair we need to be clear as to what we're about because we've got 15 people chasing after 11 places. The game is on a Sunday and it looks like everyone is going to be available (If you're not let me know as it'll make this so much easier).
I think Alex knows the situation with regards who thinks what. I'll state my case.....
In view of the reason the team was formed and the committment shown through the winter by all those that turned up for the practice sessions we should stick to the original ethos - it's a bit of a laugh, not too serious and therefore the places within the team should go to those that have been there the longest. If any of those people can't make it their places should be taken by the next longest serving member.
Unless of course Alex (The Captain) feels otherwise and chooses to pick the team on ability and skills which I'm happy to go along with as well.
At the moment with the follow up match looming on the horizon and it's to be a 40 overs affair we need to be clear as to what we're about because we've got 15 people chasing after 11 places. The game is on a Sunday and it looks like everyone is going to be available (If you're not let me know as it'll make this so much easier).
I think Alex knows the situation with regards who thinks what. I'll state my case.....
In view of the reason the team was formed and the committment shown through the winter by all those that turned up for the practice sessions we should stick to the original ethos - it's a bit of a laugh, not too serious and therefore the places within the team should go to those that have been there the longest. If any of those people can't make it their places should be taken by the next longest serving member.
Unless of course Alex (The Captain) feels otherwise and chooses to pick the team on ability and skills which I'm happy to go along with as well.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
I've had several interesting conversations with different people and trawled around the local cricket team websites all with a longer term approach to what I'm going to be doing at the end of this season. No matter what happens I'll still be playing cricket and I'll continue to try and bowl leg spin in practice situations as I'm determined to get it right.
Boffa had pointed out that he thought I was far better at batting and than bowling (3rd highest score against the Aussies and Kiwis and not out on Friday despite being No.6) so at this mornings practice over at 'The Rec' I approached it slightly differently sort of having gained confidence after surviving the onslaught from the bowlers on Friday. I was quite pleased with how I batted but no-one was bowling this morning particularly well, so that may have helped? So I'm settling in as my role of as a batsman and looking forward to maintaining my position at around No.6 despite the arrival of Chris, Alex & Jack.
With regards to the team I've been looking at the make-up of lower XI teams in the area and noticed that as in the case of Grays & Chadwell cricket team they have 38 players in that team. So every Sunday that they play and they field 11 men plus a No.12 they have the choice of 38 players to call upon. So that begs the question how do you get a regular match if you're really up for playing?
I now realise in order to do what I'm trying to do effectively our team needs to be made up of as many players as possible in a similar way as the Grays & Chadwell. Perhaps have 22 - 25 players who are interested at all sorts of levels. But then the issue of how does the side create income in order to finance payment of net sessions, pooled equipment, teas and general running of the team. Most teams charge a yearly fee of around £100 but they also get other benefits of being in the team - the main one being the social aspects. That then takes a lot of organisation and I'm not willing to go that far. I like the idea of a big team and in a perfect world 75% of the team would turn up for nets all winter and pay all the necessary fees asked of them and it would be great. But in the real world it's not going to happen because as the team gets bigger the team members are sourced from a much wider field and the control that I'm able to exercise over them is far less and the need for a captain and a manager and other roles becomes a necessity. So therein lies the problem.
Boffa had pointed out that he thought I was far better at batting and than bowling (3rd highest score against the Aussies and Kiwis and not out on Friday despite being No.6) so at this mornings practice over at 'The Rec' I approached it slightly differently sort of having gained confidence after surviving the onslaught from the bowlers on Friday. I was quite pleased with how I batted but no-one was bowling this morning particularly well, so that may have helped? So I'm settling in as my role of as a batsman and looking forward to maintaining my position at around No.6 despite the arrival of Chris, Alex & Jack.
With regards to the team I've been looking at the make-up of lower XI teams in the area and noticed that as in the case of Grays & Chadwell cricket team they have 38 players in that team. So every Sunday that they play and they field 11 men plus a No.12 they have the choice of 38 players to call upon. So that begs the question how do you get a regular match if you're really up for playing?
I now realise in order to do what I'm trying to do effectively our team needs to be made up of as many players as possible in a similar way as the Grays & Chadwell. Perhaps have 22 - 25 players who are interested at all sorts of levels. But then the issue of how does the side create income in order to finance payment of net sessions, pooled equipment, teas and general running of the team. Most teams charge a yearly fee of around £100 but they also get other benefits of being in the team - the main one being the social aspects. That then takes a lot of organisation and I'm not willing to go that far. I like the idea of a big team and in a perfect world 75% of the team would turn up for nets all winter and pay all the necessary fees asked of them and it would be great. But in the real world it's not going to happen because as the team gets bigger the team members are sourced from a much wider field and the control that I'm able to exercise over them is far less and the need for a captain and a manager and other roles becomes a necessity. So therein lies the problem.
- Have a small team that will always be severely weakened by the players not able to commit themselves for games, but it's kept informal and personal.
- Have a large team guaranteeing that you're always able to field a good side, but have to create positions within the club to run it.
In the short term we try and avoid teams that include serious cricket players and look to play people of a similar standard to us in order that it's a game and that we have a slight chance of winning. We try and get Suhail on board and aim to play on Sundays so that more people are able to be involved. To this end I'll be looking to play the Aussies and Kiwis again soon but with some of our new players involved as well. Boffa has said he might be able to knock together a team as well and they'll be up for a 40 over sunday match as well - they're all either blokes in their early 40's and one or two 16 years olds and they're similar to us in ability - but they will want to wind desperately.
The only downside is - if these matches are to be played at Welstead it's going to cost £120 for the venue + teas. I'm up for it who else is.
Then once this season is over we'll have some kind of AGM and see where do we go from here?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Annihilated
Where to start? We got beat again severely I'm not even sure at this stage that I want to even mention the score but rest assured it was bad.
They (Sports Science) fielded some really good players - blokes that are obviously not college staff, (We do the same) but I think they've got contacts with local cricket clubs and they're able to draw on them as players. There was an Aussie bloke who was pretty lethal as a bowler, a noisy South African bloke who took Deans place as the wicket keeper - he was good. Then there was the bloke they call 'Ethnic' and he was fast (Bowling). But the surprise for me was Ronnie. Last time I saw him bowl was against SEEVIC and he was okay tonight he was lethal. I umpired through all of his overs and he was unbelievably accurate and fast. With regards the batting we only took a few wickets and again they used the young bloke who batted well and they had to retire him after he'd scored 50. It seemed to me that there was a handful of people that play regular cricket and are decent cricket players along with some really good cricket players. We didn't stand a chance.
Now the excuses........
Nakul, Rod, badger, Sunhail and Alex#2 weren't there. Both Chris and Jack bowled really well but where both dismissed cheaply, I think Chris got some runs and Jack went for a duck and then came a succession of ducks including Richard. Thankfully Jack's Dad Ian had given Jack and Chris a lift and he mentioned in passing that he'd played cricket years ago and if we didn't have an 11th man he didn't mind stepping in. Ian played well and scored probably 75% of our runs if not more. I managed to stay in through 2-3 other peoples dismissals but only scored 1 run as far as I recall and I run Terry out as he wasn't shouting run/stay etc and I shouted run when it was his shout and he was dismissed.
Worthy performances on our side......
Richard - he did really well wicket keeping
Jack - Very good bowling commended by loads of the opposition and Boffa. Also noted for good contributions in the field - stopping balls and catching.
Chris - Very good bowling commended by loads of the opposition and Boffa and like Jack commended for his fielding.
Simon - Commended for a good bowling performance very consistent.
Ian - for scoring all the runs.
Boffa who's now seen us play a couple of times recommends that I no longer bowl saying that I'm the worst bowler he's ever seen. I've got to admit in a situation such as a match he's right it does seem that I'm completely phased by the situation and bowl badly. So now I've got to sit down and re-evaluate the situation. The only reason I do this is so that I can bowl. The only reason I spend hour after hour practicing is so that when it comes to the day I get that chance and by his reckoning I shouldn't bother as it's to the detriment of the team. I did bowl awfully and it's true that I did in the previous game, but I felt more confident this time round and to be honest I think I was put off by Boffa's comments on the field albeit meant to help at the time. Personally I think with more games my confidence may grow and I will be less phased with each ensuing match? He disputes that and says I shouldn't bowl at all stick to the batting as I'm so much a better batsman than I am a bowler.
I think what I'll do for the good of the team is not bowl in the 40 overs match (Which is something I've been looking forward to doing since all this started) but in the meantime continue to practice and look to join a local club and see how I fair there at bowling and maybe pick up some coaching? Again I reckon it's a case of bowling more against a variety of people in different situations. Maybe doing that I'll overcome being phased by the event?
If as Boffa says batting is my strength I'll look to improve on that and make sure my contribution in that area is worthy of a place on the team?
This could be a pivotal point in the teams short history as I found the whole thing really demoralising and talking to Boffa after - he told me a few home truths and has forced me to look at the whole situation slightly differently.
The decision I need to make is why am I doing this? Do I need all of the aggro involved especially the issues around why do we exist as a team and is the ethos of the team one of winning? If it is - what as a team do we need to do to improve our chances of winning and what sacrifices are involved in the pursuit of winning. I've acknowledged that I maybe have to step down as a bowler because in game situations I'm wholly inaffective. In order to stay in the team I've now got to up my game as a batsman. The crux of Boffas argument was - does the rest of the team really have a sense of the whole picture and share my passion to win and if they do, why are they not like me and spending hours trying to maintain a place in the team through practice or willing to hold there hand up and say - Jack, Chris, Badger, Nakul etc are far better and more affective bowlers than me - let them have my place in the bowling line up. I may have my day if someone doesn't turn up and a bowler is required but until then I'm going to step down and work on my batting to ensure I play at least as a fielder and batsman on July 1st.
I'm with Boffa on this - it's a case of on July 1st we should field our best team. The game is on a Sunday and theoretically everyone is available to play. So the question is - Who will play? I posted my dream team a couple of days ago and it's unchanged other than the bowling line up. From what I know of the bowlers if we had 5 bowlers (8 overs each) I'd go for.
Jack
Chris
Nakul
Suhail
Simon
6 Bowlers
I'd add Rod.
Everyone I know that looks at this from the outside says that I'm mad and they say - If you want to play cricket why don't you join a real cricket team and join up - you wont have all this aggro and you may find that you're playing with people that are as equally obsessed as you are? It's a vaild point. In the short term I'm going to stick at it and see out the rest of the summer. The Aussies and Kiwis today contacted me today and said they'd be up for another 3 games between now and September so we still have a possible 4 games to go? In the meantime I'm going to go along to Westcliffs net practice next week and see how I go and maybe look at joining a club more local to me here in Basildon.
Don't forget Sunday practice is at 'The Rec' 9.30 - 12.30 if you want a place in the team come along to the practice and prove your willing and worthiness!
One final point. This was a dismal performance but we had to face a team which did appear to be made up in part of very strong players that did look like they'd been playing for years. Our team is made up of people that have hardly ever played or used to play years and years ago. If we had been able to play Suhail, Alex#2, Rod, Nakul and Badger the outcome would have been better - I'm not saying we'd have one because some of their players were very good including Ronnie who I was amazed at in how much better he was and he claims to be new to cricket. What I want to say is Chris and Jack is don't give up on us yet - hang in there at least till the next game.
Dave
They (Sports Science) fielded some really good players - blokes that are obviously not college staff, (We do the same) but I think they've got contacts with local cricket clubs and they're able to draw on them as players. There was an Aussie bloke who was pretty lethal as a bowler, a noisy South African bloke who took Deans place as the wicket keeper - he was good. Then there was the bloke they call 'Ethnic' and he was fast (Bowling). But the surprise for me was Ronnie. Last time I saw him bowl was against SEEVIC and he was okay tonight he was lethal. I umpired through all of his overs and he was unbelievably accurate and fast. With regards the batting we only took a few wickets and again they used the young bloke who batted well and they had to retire him after he'd scored 50. It seemed to me that there was a handful of people that play regular cricket and are decent cricket players along with some really good cricket players. We didn't stand a chance.
Now the excuses........
Nakul, Rod, badger, Sunhail and Alex#2 weren't there. Both Chris and Jack bowled really well but where both dismissed cheaply, I think Chris got some runs and Jack went for a duck and then came a succession of ducks including Richard. Thankfully Jack's Dad Ian had given Jack and Chris a lift and he mentioned in passing that he'd played cricket years ago and if we didn't have an 11th man he didn't mind stepping in. Ian played well and scored probably 75% of our runs if not more. I managed to stay in through 2-3 other peoples dismissals but only scored 1 run as far as I recall and I run Terry out as he wasn't shouting run/stay etc and I shouted run when it was his shout and he was dismissed.
Worthy performances on our side......
Richard - he did really well wicket keeping
Jack - Very good bowling commended by loads of the opposition and Boffa. Also noted for good contributions in the field - stopping balls and catching.
Chris - Very good bowling commended by loads of the opposition and Boffa and like Jack commended for his fielding.
Simon - Commended for a good bowling performance very consistent.
Ian - for scoring all the runs.
Boffa who's now seen us play a couple of times recommends that I no longer bowl saying that I'm the worst bowler he's ever seen. I've got to admit in a situation such as a match he's right it does seem that I'm completely phased by the situation and bowl badly. So now I've got to sit down and re-evaluate the situation. The only reason I do this is so that I can bowl. The only reason I spend hour after hour practicing is so that when it comes to the day I get that chance and by his reckoning I shouldn't bother as it's to the detriment of the team. I did bowl awfully and it's true that I did in the previous game, but I felt more confident this time round and to be honest I think I was put off by Boffa's comments on the field albeit meant to help at the time. Personally I think with more games my confidence may grow and I will be less phased with each ensuing match? He disputes that and says I shouldn't bowl at all stick to the batting as I'm so much a better batsman than I am a bowler.
I think what I'll do for the good of the team is not bowl in the 40 overs match (Which is something I've been looking forward to doing since all this started) but in the meantime continue to practice and look to join a local club and see how I fair there at bowling and maybe pick up some coaching? Again I reckon it's a case of bowling more against a variety of people in different situations. Maybe doing that I'll overcome being phased by the event?
If as Boffa says batting is my strength I'll look to improve on that and make sure my contribution in that area is worthy of a place on the team?
This could be a pivotal point in the teams short history as I found the whole thing really demoralising and talking to Boffa after - he told me a few home truths and has forced me to look at the whole situation slightly differently.
The decision I need to make is why am I doing this? Do I need all of the aggro involved especially the issues around why do we exist as a team and is the ethos of the team one of winning? If it is - what as a team do we need to do to improve our chances of winning and what sacrifices are involved in the pursuit of winning. I've acknowledged that I maybe have to step down as a bowler because in game situations I'm wholly inaffective. In order to stay in the team I've now got to up my game as a batsman. The crux of Boffas argument was - does the rest of the team really have a sense of the whole picture and share my passion to win and if they do, why are they not like me and spending hours trying to maintain a place in the team through practice or willing to hold there hand up and say - Jack, Chris, Badger, Nakul etc are far better and more affective bowlers than me - let them have my place in the bowling line up. I may have my day if someone doesn't turn up and a bowler is required but until then I'm going to step down and work on my batting to ensure I play at least as a fielder and batsman on July 1st.
I'm with Boffa on this - it's a case of on July 1st we should field our best team. The game is on a Sunday and theoretically everyone is available to play. So the question is - Who will play? I posted my dream team a couple of days ago and it's unchanged other than the bowling line up. From what I know of the bowlers if we had 5 bowlers (8 overs each) I'd go for.
Jack
Chris
Nakul
Suhail
Simon
6 Bowlers
I'd add Rod.
Everyone I know that looks at this from the outside says that I'm mad and they say - If you want to play cricket why don't you join a real cricket team and join up - you wont have all this aggro and you may find that you're playing with people that are as equally obsessed as you are? It's a vaild point. In the short term I'm going to stick at it and see out the rest of the summer. The Aussies and Kiwis today contacted me today and said they'd be up for another 3 games between now and September so we still have a possible 4 games to go? In the meantime I'm going to go along to Westcliffs net practice next week and see how I go and maybe look at joining a club more local to me here in Basildon.
Don't forget Sunday practice is at 'The Rec' 9.30 - 12.30 if you want a place in the team come along to the practice and prove your willing and worthiness!
One final point. This was a dismal performance but we had to face a team which did appear to be made up in part of very strong players that did look like they'd been playing for years. Our team is made up of people that have hardly ever played or used to play years and years ago. If we had been able to play Suhail, Alex#2, Rod, Nakul and Badger the outcome would have been better - I'm not saying we'd have one because some of their players were very good including Ronnie who I was amazed at in how much better he was and he claims to be new to cricket. What I want to say is Chris and Jack is don't give up on us yet - hang in there at least till the next game.
Dave
Match Day Update 16.10hrs
So far the game is on. The report from the groundsman is that it's all sytems go unless it rains bewteen now and 5pm. Everyone is looking at websites trying to figure if it's going to rain I reckon looking at proper charts the weather men are hedging their bets and saying it will rain at 15.00hrs. I reckon it's 50/50. Update at 15.00hrs.....
16.10hrs - Weather -
Here in southend Windy,Dry, warm and sunny all systems go! Cloudy but not so ominous now.
Captains plans are as follows....
Here we go then chaps
bowlers look like
Si, Me, Chris, Jack, Dave – we’ll all have to be on form since I don’t have any options for rotation. We’ll open up with quicks and see if we can use Dave to mix it up – especially to tease them at the end of the innings
Batting order is as follows (don’t make it up as you go along like last time)
Richard
Chris
Jack
Mark
Simon
Alex
Dave
Trev
Nick
Boffa
Loolie
We must look to put pressure on the fielding side and run wherever possible runs not wickets are the issue with this game – standing around waiting to hit 6’s in 20/20 is not an option. Do however play yourself in, trying to twat it in the first couple of deliveries will be likely to get you out.
Fielding will be up close to start with one or two sweepers as the batsmen get their eye in – we must field closer than we do at practice to put the pressure on, there’ll be more people to plug the gaps. Start with the Wicket keeper, Wide first slip, gulley, (deep) leg slip, short mid on, short mid off, cover, cover point, square leg, long off (sweeping).
All ok? Remember to get there as soon as you can after college in order to warm up and get a feel for bowling on the pitch (not as straightforward as you may think)
[Dave – who is going to umpire the match? – can you forward this to anyone else you can]
Watch this space..............
16.10hrs - Weather -
Here in southend Windy,Dry, warm and sunny all systems go! Cloudy but not so ominous now.
Captains plans are as follows....
Here we go then chaps
bowlers look like
Si, Me, Chris, Jack, Dave – we’ll all have to be on form since I don’t have any options for rotation. We’ll open up with quicks and see if we can use Dave to mix it up – especially to tease them at the end of the innings
Batting order is as follows (don’t make it up as you go along like last time)
Richard
Chris
Jack
Mark
Simon
Alex
Dave
Trev
Nick
Boffa
Loolie
We must look to put pressure on the fielding side and run wherever possible runs not wickets are the issue with this game – standing around waiting to hit 6’s in 20/20 is not an option. Do however play yourself in, trying to twat it in the first couple of deliveries will be likely to get you out.
Fielding will be up close to start with one or two sweepers as the batsmen get their eye in – we must field closer than we do at practice to put the pressure on, there’ll be more people to plug the gaps. Start with the Wicket keeper, Wide first slip, gulley, (deep) leg slip, short mid on, short mid off, cover, cover point, square leg, long off (sweeping).
All ok? Remember to get there as soon as you can after college in order to warm up and get a feel for bowling on the pitch (not as straightforward as you may think)
[Dave – who is going to umpire the match? – can you forward this to anyone else you can]
Watch this space..............
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Bloody Rain!
It's looking like we may be rained off again, I'll keep you posted as to what's happening.
We've had another 3 "Unavailables" - Rod, Nakul and Alex Jnr.
So we've got -
1. Richard
2. Alex
3. Dave
4. Chris
5. Jack
6. Simon
7. Nick
8. Terry
9. Mark?
10, Loolie (One of my Tilbury Mates)
11, Boffa (Another Tilbury Mate)
So it looks like we may be okay for players? I've got some other people that may play who are on standby. Just need the rain to hold off.
Went over to Chalkwell Park tonight despite the rain knowing full well there wouldn't be anyone there, I just wanted to check out the set up over there. I was surprised as the nets seem to be a council facility open to anyone. There's an artificial surface and you'd need to take your own stumps, but other than that it appears to be a first come first served arrangement. I'm tempted to go down there one evening with the Southend contingent instead of going over to Great Berry? Richard, Simon, Mark or Nick do you fancy checking it out one evening and see what the arrangements are on a nice evening when it'd get used?
We've had another 3 "Unavailables" - Rod, Nakul and Alex Jnr.
So we've got -
1. Richard
2. Alex
3. Dave
4. Chris
5. Jack
6. Simon
7. Nick
8. Terry
9. Mark?
10, Loolie (One of my Tilbury Mates)
11, Boffa (Another Tilbury Mate)
So it looks like we may be okay for players? I've got some other people that may play who are on standby. Just need the rain to hold off.
Went over to Chalkwell Park tonight despite the rain knowing full well there wouldn't be anyone there, I just wanted to check out the set up over there. I was surprised as the nets seem to be a council facility open to anyone. There's an artificial surface and you'd need to take your own stumps, but other than that it appears to be a first come first served arrangement. I'm tempted to go down there one evening with the Southend contingent instead of going over to Great Berry? Richard, Simon, Mark or Nick do you fancy checking it out one evening and see what the arrangements are on a nice evening when it'd get used?
Monday, June 11, 2007
Tuesday Night Practice
There's a practice scheduled for Tuesday night over at Great Berry
As many of us as possible should turn up as for most of us this will be the last chance to have a practice before the match on Friday night.
Hopefully there'll be a good turn out? We should have -
Suhail, Ankul, Nakul, Dave, Chris, Alex Jnr, Jack and Alex Wood - that's 9 already and Suhail may be able to bring a couple more players so there could be enough for a good practice? Taking Suhail's advice we should all take turns at the crease two at at a time maybe have a 10 minute limit each and just be bowled at continuously by all of the bowlers one after another - 3 bowlers have six balls each the rest of the team fielding trying to take catches and retrieving the balls - rotating the bowlers. Then if your bowled your out. Have 3rd batsman already padded up and he keeps a tally of each individuals run score? The bloke that's given out joins the fielding/bowling.
As many of us as possible should turn up as for most of us this will be the last chance to have a practice before the match on Friday night.
Hopefully there'll be a good turn out? We should have -
Suhail, Ankul, Nakul, Dave, Chris, Alex Jnr, Jack and Alex Wood - that's 9 already and Suhail may be able to bring a couple more players so there could be enough for a good practice? Taking Suhail's advice we should all take turns at the crease two at at a time maybe have a 10 minute limit each and just be bowled at continuously by all of the bowlers one after another - 3 bowlers have six balls each the rest of the team fielding trying to take catches and retrieving the balls - rotating the bowlers. Then if your bowled your out. Have 3rd batsman already padded up and he keeps a tally of each individuals run score? The bloke that's given out joins the fielding/bowling.
MPA 1st XI Dream Team
Having missed the first match because of bad weather the much anticipated opening game is scheduled this Friday for a 5.30pm start. But the boys of Sports Science are already requesting an earlier start of 5.00pm but I don't think that's going to be possible. I myself have got to get to the pitch from Southend and may have to go by train via Chalkwell which includes a walk of about a mile up hill with my bag so I may not be able to get there for 5pm.
Other than that the team is still looking incomplete. The only people so far that have committed to playing are.....
1.Simon Grainge
2.Nick Naughty
3.Alex Wood
4.Richard Sainsbury
5.Dave Thompson
6.Mark Soye
7.Alex Jnr
8.Chris
9.Jack
10. Terry the bloke
There's question marks relating to Mark Soye - I've not heard from him whether he's playing or not and there may be transport issues for Alex Jnr, Jack and Chris.
Given that we've got some newcomers to the team my dream team if I was the captain and all the players could turn up would be as follows in this order......
1. Chris Eggleton
Batting - On form hitting fours & sixes does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - devastatingly fast and accurate
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
2. Jack
Batting - When on form hits fours & sixes does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - Medium Pace and some leg spin
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
3. Alex Jnr
Batting - On form hitting fours does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - devastatingly fast and accurate.
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
4. Nakul Handa
Batting - Our current highest scorer adaptable and solid batsman.
Bowling - Tactical Medium pace swing with some spin - takes wickets.
Fielding - Committed with no fear when it comes to catching.
5. Simon Grainge
Batting - 2nd highest scorer think Geoffrey Boycott.
Bowling - Medium/Fast and accurate.
Fielding - Committed and does run.
6. Suhail
Batting - New to team but looks exceptional highest score in practice.
Bowling - Fast swinging action and very accurate.
Fielding - Not seen in action yet but likely to be good.
7. Rod Jeanes
Batting - In practice one of our top batsmen
Bowling - Medium Pace swing bowler - accurate and tricky
Fielding - Okay?
8. Badger
Batting - Okay been unlucky so far in match situations.
Bowling - Slow/Medium varied speed catches people out
Fielding - Committed.
9. Alex Wood (Captain).
Batting - Yet to find his form (Bit of a Vaughn in Windies case).
Bowling - Exceptional Stats, fast and accurate.
Fielding - agile and very fast and committed.
10. Dave Thompson
Batting - In match situations 3rd highest runs score.
Bowling - Leg Spin going to be good in situations where opposition are chasing the game.
Fielding - Fully Committed.
11. Richard Sainsbury
Batting - He's got a big yellow beak and feathers.
Bowling - NA.
Fielding - Specialist Wicket Keeper.
Some of you that are not that involved because of other committments need to be aware that the team is growing and the people that we can call upon to play has recently grown and a lot of the newcomers that are on the edge of the team as such are potentially good players. You'll notice that I myself have almost been pushed out of the team if we were to field our best 11 and I feel that I need to justify my place in the team by being affective hence the reason I practice non stop trying to perfect my bowling and batting. I'm also lucky in that I'm the acting manager of the team and I get the sense that if I was to stop cajoling people and organising the team it would disappear? Being in that position allows me to maintain a position in the first XI irrespective of how inaffective I am as a team member, but I do recognise my place in the order and readily accept that I must do better hence I'll be practicing on Tuesday night at Great Berry hopefully with Suhail (Who has played cricket at a very high level), Nakul, Chris, Jack, Alex Jnr and Alex Wood. I'll also be down at Chalkwell Park with Westcliff Cricket Club in the nets Thursday night with them checking out the option of playing for one of their teams and picking up tips and advice. Whatever I need to do to get better - I'm doing it. Whatever I need to do to get a game I'm doing that too.
As yet it's not got to the point where you get a game on merit. At the moment (This Friday) it's down to whoever gets to the ground first gets a game because there's no communication. I'm not interested in reasons for not being able to get there till 5.37 or 6.11 with the inference that we and the other team should therefore wait till you get there. I just need 11 people to say "I'll be there for 5.30". It's those people who will play.
In the longer term with Alex and Badger going away for a year and the prospects of Nets all winter a new system based around ability and committment to the team and improving will dictate who plays next summer. The Captain will pick the side based on ability - committment - and availability. Who fancies the job?
Other than that the team is still looking incomplete. The only people so far that have committed to playing are.....
1.Simon Grainge
2.Nick Naughty
3.Alex Wood
4.Richard Sainsbury
5.Dave Thompson
6.Mark Soye
7.Alex Jnr
8.Chris
9.Jack
10. Terry the bloke
There's question marks relating to Mark Soye - I've not heard from him whether he's playing or not and there may be transport issues for Alex Jnr, Jack and Chris.
Given that we've got some newcomers to the team my dream team if I was the captain and all the players could turn up would be as follows in this order......
1. Chris Eggleton
Batting - On form hitting fours & sixes does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - devastatingly fast and accurate
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
2. Jack
Batting - When on form hits fours & sixes does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - Medium Pace and some leg spin
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
3. Alex Jnr
Batting - On form hitting fours does well facing fast bowlers.
Bowling - devastatingly fast and accurate.
Fielding - Agile, fast and committed and takes catches option as Wicket Keeper.
4. Nakul Handa
Batting - Our current highest scorer adaptable and solid batsman.
Bowling - Tactical Medium pace swing with some spin - takes wickets.
Fielding - Committed with no fear when it comes to catching.
5. Simon Grainge
Batting - 2nd highest scorer think Geoffrey Boycott.
Bowling - Medium/Fast and accurate.
Fielding - Committed and does run.
6. Suhail
Batting - New to team but looks exceptional highest score in practice.
Bowling - Fast swinging action and very accurate.
Fielding - Not seen in action yet but likely to be good.
7. Rod Jeanes
Batting - In practice one of our top batsmen
Bowling - Medium Pace swing bowler - accurate and tricky
Fielding - Okay?
8. Badger
Batting - Okay been unlucky so far in match situations.
Bowling - Slow/Medium varied speed catches people out
Fielding - Committed.
9. Alex Wood (Captain).
Batting - Yet to find his form (Bit of a Vaughn in Windies case).
Bowling - Exceptional Stats, fast and accurate.
Fielding - agile and very fast and committed.
10. Dave Thompson
Batting - In match situations 3rd highest runs score.
Bowling - Leg Spin going to be good in situations where opposition are chasing the game.
Fielding - Fully Committed.
11. Richard Sainsbury
Batting - He's got a big yellow beak and feathers.
Bowling - NA.
Fielding - Specialist Wicket Keeper.
Some of you that are not that involved because of other committments need to be aware that the team is growing and the people that we can call upon to play has recently grown and a lot of the newcomers that are on the edge of the team as such are potentially good players. You'll notice that I myself have almost been pushed out of the team if we were to field our best 11 and I feel that I need to justify my place in the team by being affective hence the reason I practice non stop trying to perfect my bowling and batting. I'm also lucky in that I'm the acting manager of the team and I get the sense that if I was to stop cajoling people and organising the team it would disappear? Being in that position allows me to maintain a position in the first XI irrespective of how inaffective I am as a team member, but I do recognise my place in the order and readily accept that I must do better hence I'll be practicing on Tuesday night at Great Berry hopefully with Suhail (Who has played cricket at a very high level), Nakul, Chris, Jack, Alex Jnr and Alex Wood. I'll also be down at Chalkwell Park with Westcliff Cricket Club in the nets Thursday night with them checking out the option of playing for one of their teams and picking up tips and advice. Whatever I need to do to get better - I'm doing it. Whatever I need to do to get a game I'm doing that too.
As yet it's not got to the point where you get a game on merit. At the moment (This Friday) it's down to whoever gets to the ground first gets a game because there's no communication. I'm not interested in reasons for not being able to get there till 5.37 or 6.11 with the inference that we and the other team should therefore wait till you get there. I just need 11 people to say "I'll be there for 5.30". It's those people who will play.
In the longer term with Alex and Badger going away for a year and the prospects of Nets all winter a new system based around ability and committment to the team and improving will dictate who plays next summer. The Captain will pick the side based on ability - committment - and availability. Who fancies the job?
Sunday, June 10, 2007
This weeks schedule
I'm knackered and so are a few others, so I'm going to keep away from bowling for a couple of days. The next scheduled practice is for Tuesday night over at Great Berry. Depending on who's going to turn up and what time I don't normally get over there till 7.30 at the earliest. By all means come and collect the gear and get set up earlier if you are going to be there earlier. If there's a few people who are going to get over there earlier than 7.30 I make a concerted effort to get along early myself. So far interested people who are/may turn up on Tuesday -
Dave
Alex
Suhail
Nakul
Chris
Alex Jnr
Jack
Ankul?
Thursday night I'm in the nets with Westcliff Cricket Club down at Chalkwell Park I'll let you know how that goes, be nice if I can bowl a few people out or pick up some batting tips?
Friday night as you all know is the first match with 'Sports Science' at Welstead Gardens with an expected starting time of 5.30. Talking to Alex the Captain it is going to be a case of first come first served with regards to getting to play. We can't mess about with people being indecisive. These games have been flagged up for months and months so if you can get there do so as early as possible. I'm looking forward to it - if the Alex, Chris and Jack turn up it looks like we may have a chance against there big guns. We're looking good with the bowling but our batting is what scuppers us.
Based on most likely to turn up by 5.30pm the team looks like this -
1.Alex
2.Alex Jnr
3.Chris
4.Jack
5.Dave
6.Simon
7.Richard
8.Nick Naughty
9.Terry the bloke
So there's still some gaps. Mark Soyes in the frame as well, but there's rumours that he's unfit? Badger I think is doing something? I'm not sure what the situation is with Nakul I'll have to talk to him this week. Boffa AKA Steve - might be able to help out along with a couple of other of my mates from Tilbury if we're really stuffed. If you can get there for 5.30 let me know.
Next Practice will be at 'The Rec' 17th June 9.30 - 12.30
That's a proper cricket pitch.
Sunday Game 1st July 40 overs match 1pm till finish Welstead Gardens
If you want to play in this game you need to let us know because the queue starts here........
Dave
Alex
Suhail
Nakul
Chris
Alex Jnr
Jack
Ankul?
Thursday night I'm in the nets with Westcliff Cricket Club down at Chalkwell Park I'll let you know how that goes, be nice if I can bowl a few people out or pick up some batting tips?
Friday night as you all know is the first match with 'Sports Science' at Welstead Gardens with an expected starting time of 5.30. Talking to Alex the Captain it is going to be a case of first come first served with regards to getting to play. We can't mess about with people being indecisive. These games have been flagged up for months and months so if you can get there do so as early as possible. I'm looking forward to it - if the Alex, Chris and Jack turn up it looks like we may have a chance against there big guns. We're looking good with the bowling but our batting is what scuppers us.
Based on most likely to turn up by 5.30pm the team looks like this -
1.Alex
2.Alex Jnr
3.Chris
4.Jack
5.Dave
6.Simon
7.Richard
8.Nick Naughty
9.Terry the bloke
So there's still some gaps. Mark Soyes in the frame as well, but there's rumours that he's unfit? Badger I think is doing something? I'm not sure what the situation is with Nakul I'll have to talk to him this week. Boffa AKA Steve - might be able to help out along with a couple of other of my mates from Tilbury if we're really stuffed. If you can get there for 5.30 let me know.
Next Practice will be at 'The Rec' 17th June 9.30 - 12.30
That's a proper cricket pitch.
Sunday Game 1st July 40 overs match 1pm till finish Welstead Gardens
If you want to play in this game you need to let us know because the queue starts here........
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