Diary of a Vegan Cricketer (Week Nine)

Beginning to wonder why I carry my batting gear round with me at the moment! Couple of games played in the sunshine …. well mostly spent my time watching, and finally got a net.

2024 Season Week Nine: May 27th – June 2nd

Bank Holiday Monday I captained the Church Eaton 2s in a team comprising four (4) of the NBCC LGBTQ+ Team against a very accommodating and pleasant Stone SP. A low scoring but competitive game saw us stick to a plan, bat the majority of our overs and lose by just two wickets. Few ‘heat of the moment’ incidents which are understandable but we did cross the line, and hopefully we will all learn from that. 2s cricket is very much dependent on the strength of the 1s and at the moment we are asking none 1s players to play in the 1s and that is not allowing them to gain confidence and experience in the 2s, and the 2s are struggling as we don’t have a strong senior spine to the team.

Ironically I am struggling with this as well, as I am not getting any real chances with the bat as I am spending most of my time at 10 or 11 in the 1s, or not batting in charity games. My bowling is really consistent this year and I am being selected to bowl, but a) the 2s (and Staffs Seniors) need me batting and b) my shoulder is not going to maintain this volume of bowling all season. I need to be more selfish and only bat 6/7 and limit the overs I bowl.

I did manage a hour in the nest with my mate and had a good batting session (thankfully we can both use a thrower well) and I batted well. I think the ‘answer’ lies in not trying to be flexible and accepting that I need to play my natural game ….. but I need to get the opportunity to do this over a number of games. I have let the various captains know of the teams I am scheduled to play for and will play in those games regardless, but after these games I will be more selective.

Played for Church Eaton 1s on Saturday as a last minute replacement. We batted well posting 180+ and batting 11 I got to face the last ball of the innings …. what’s the point eh!?? Bowled OK but felt a little tired and sore, so all in all I would have been better on the sofa as per the original plan having made myself unavailable for the weekend.

Sunday I drove up to Yorkshire to play for Graces against the Kites, with NBCC providing three players including myself. Was a really good, fun day: of course didn’t bat, bowled 6 very gentle overs, stood at slip all day next to Tom, who is a great guy to spend an afternoon with. Main test for me was how the body would react to the long journey …. and it was really good. Best it has been in years regards knee and lower back, but I would have struggled to play a competitive game but I think another month to six weeks may see that change.

The problem areas remain: ligament at top of calf on left leg going into knee (needs stretching and strengthening), left hamstring (same), right hip/glute (same) and left arm/shoulder which is more an issue with a trapped nerve and damaged vertebrae in back and neck which is probably going to always be the biggest issue.

Golf wise played on Friday against mate in a Best of 3 challenge, and lost. Still inconsistent but the good shots are much better and more frequent, but I lost it really on the greens as this was the first game all year when the greens actually played properly and I was just not used to them

On the vegan front, still no good news. The tea on Sunday did include a very pleasant mixed salad and some hummus and carrots and I think some Falafel or Bhajis but as neither were labelled and I had taken my own food again I didn’t worry about asking. The main takeaway (sorry about the pun) is that I have still to be asked by anyone before any game if I have a dietary requirement.

And Finally