Into the Nets

The weather has been filthy today, although the Dennis winds didn't reach the strength of Ciara's, the rain has been much much heavier; it rained solidly from about 9pm last night to 4pm today.

So, I haven't been out walking today. Only to cricket nets.

It's my third net session of the year, and now my hip isn't causing so much of a problem, my knee is often very sore when I'm bowling so feel I need to get a knee brace for next week as well as some new batting gloves; mine are suddenly full of holes!

I love going to nets; I love bowling, which I'm just about OK at, and I love batting, which in my case is rather awful usually. I'm not sure how much it improves my game, I'm one of those people who can never do as well in matches as I do in nets, especially at batting.

What also makes me rather happy about winter nets is that the first team fast bowlers don't really turn up. I have no wish to end up with ruptured testicles again. We mainly have lower team players and juniors, and now also our new ladies section, some of whom hit the ball further than I do.

Today, it was all reasonably ok, bowled ok if a bit short, batted ok although occasionally my patience lapsed and I had a big, and hopeless, yahoo against the spinners. But I enjoyed it, I always do.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.02.20

Return to the Nets

As today proved, I'm not such a natural sportsman that I can take 6 months off and come back as good (or average) as I ever was.

Yes, it was the first evening of cricket practice of 2019, on the underground bounce of the nets of the local academy. It was the busiest I've ever seen nets, which was probably a blessing as I didn't have to bowl too much on my plantar fascitis foot which by the way stood up to it ok.

Or at least, it doesn't hurt any more that it usually does.

As it turned out, I bowled ok, once I'd got a rotten full toss out of my system. Clattered the stumps a few times, although every time I tried to field off my own bowling I fell over and missed the ball.

Batting was a different matter. Like any kind of "hit a thing with a thing" sport - tennis, badminton...bar billiars - once I get out of practice, I completely lose any basic ability for a while. The first two balls bowled to me I missed completely and knocked over the three sticks. I then took my helmet off and batted with a cap on instead, and although I didn't get castled again I still couldn't hit the bloody thing.

It was only my last couple of deliveries that my feet began to move anywhere at all.

Hopefully things will be better next week, because no-one else seems to get as rusty in the off season as I do.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.02.19

Cricket; the Return

Back into the nets tonight, with a lot of trepidation and a slightly out of condition body. Feel like I've put on a stone since yesterday. Would my back stand it? Would my batting suffer?

Well my batting didn't suffer because it was as hopeless as it always was. I'd said myself so many times the last couple of days that I'd relax, get an early stride out to the ball no matter how quick, and easily fend it out, but the first ball I received splattered the stumps. As did the third, I merely nicked the fourth one behind.

No matter what I do, batting will always take more co-ordination than I am capable of, and it really makes me angry! Walking wicket, brackets quintessential.

At least with bowling I'm on better ground, and despite a short run up was reasonably sharp and not too wild.

Felt the juniors were better than me though! You can see that below.

Feeling it now. Muscles unused for 6 months or so now starting to ache. Too old to be trying to bowl quick at 44! But it is so good to be back in action.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 08.02.17