Diary of a Vegan Cricketer (Week Twenty)

C is for ……… concentration, a small run of form, a narrow defeat for Staffs Seniors but we still in the hunt for a semi final position, and taking the small wins where you can!

2024 Season Week Twenty: August 12th – August 18th

Staffs Seniors: the 1s have played four games in the vase league this season, winning three and narrowly loosing to Derbyshire in the last over. All our games have been close, and we could easily be 1 & 3 instead, but that is one of the beauties of cricket: it is demanding both physically and mentality, will give you oporrunites to develop, and will (sometimes brutally) highlight weaknesses. I was reminded in the week that back in the early 70s a colleague of my fathers at Hull University said some research had been done showing that cricket was the perfect game both mentaly and physically.

It has been good to get a run in the 1s, and get some runs. My bowling has not been required which is giving my shoulder a good rest, but my fielding has improved significantly the last three weeks.

Having thought this week may have been my last two injuries and a holiday means I am making the long slog to Durham, for what probably is my last game as getting from Yorkshire to Ipswich next Tuesday morning not particularly feasible or attractive, and if we do qualify for the semi final I suspect the injured players will be available.

As normal there is already much speculation about next years team but the clarity and calm this season has given me means I know what I will be focusing on over the winter and form and fitness will deterrmine my next season.

Church Eaton: continues to give with one hand and take with the other. I love the proximity of the club, the people, the nets and overall am enjoying captaining the 2s whilst the captains thumb heals. It has helped that I have finally remembered how to bat and have two good weeks batting at 5. I find captaining natural, but people have to want to be captained, to give the captain the opportunity to earn respect, and accept that ultimately the teams performance is down to how individuals train, prepare, play and support their teammates.

After 3 weeks of fielding first and watching the opposition pile on the runs I won the toss and we batted first, and for the first time in my time batted the 40 overs. We still got less than 100, which were knocked off in 15 overs, but having had an insight into availability and selection this year, this is going to be a recurring theme for some time yet.

With my body getting stronger I have started some light training, and have been working hard on my golf, which is highlighting just how improved my shoulder, hip and general fitness levels are. Not quite pain free, but free enough to be enjoying playing again, and the new swing/clubs have made a big differenece.

I have a great playing partner and we have created a winter plan with some clear objectives for weight, fitness and performance. If I could do the same with my cricket that would be great.

On the vegan front …. another lovely cricket tea, but no vegan options per se, but the tomato pasta, onion bhaji, fruit and pickled onions were pleasant, but not worth the £5! The expecation is that everyone pays an extra £5 for the tea even if they don’t eat it, which highlights the lack of inclusivity and whilst I am happy enough to pay, I know of many who resent it because they take their own food to eat because they prefer to.

C is for …… concentration! Or to be more accurate lack of. I know it was different in my day but ….. and I will jump straight in here: mobile phones should be left in the changing rooms, checked at the interval and that is it. Enjoy the company of your teammates and opposition, watch the game you are playing in, think about what you will do when your turn comes. Yes it is of interest to know how other teams in your club are doing, but we had to wait until they returned to the club in the evening to find out and share stories.

On the subject of mobile phones, whilst I say above they should be left in the changing room, they must not be used if playing in a team that includes juniors. Not only should players only change in appropriate groups, phones should not be used when (for example) a team talk or debrief is taking place a) because it is rude, b) because the ECB say so, c) because you should be concentrating on what is being said, and d) it is rude!

Yes, it was not the best of weeks in some ways!