The Return of Cricket

Various aspects of my life are now returning, and after 4 months of more or less solitary existence, the time has come for me to re-emerge blinking into the sunlight of everyday life.

I return to work in two weeks for a start. I could have hidden away longer, but need some structure in my life.

Then there is the return of cricket.

Last night, I practiced on my own for the first time, bowling - very badly - into an empty net.

Tonight, I headed out for a walk, visited the cricket ground and found it full of life - there was net practice, circuit training a la Muscle Beach in LA, and young kids being coached.

I found myself taking part, nervously, in the net session and was only moderately awful. My calf is rather strained though, as ever cricket for me means constant niggling injuries at my age.

Anyone who knows me or reads this blog knows how important cricket is to me; it helps with my mental health and improves my socialisation. But I'm still very nervous, and don't really want to travel in other folk's cars so I can only play at home.

So no Saturday match for me this week, but I am in action on Sunday against Fiskerton and Thurgarton. And I have no doubts that I will probably be rubbish.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 14.07.20

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