Captain's Blog

Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope you're all wintering well (typical cricketing cliche to kick off with!).

It's been a while since I last sat down to compile an update on the Captain's Blog, so thought the time was well overdue for me to bore you all once again, and if all goes well I will continue to update this on a regular basis throughout the year.

For those of you blissfully unaware, or those that just delete my texts when you receive them, the winter nets have begun, so far we have managed three nets without too many niggles re-surfacing as a consequence of those inactive months since the end of the season. There are one or two new faces down there, including a dashing batsman called Rick Lees, who is not too pleased his Sunday drinking has been curtailed in favour of the nets now he has returned to something like full fitness. Leesy has been absent since I took over the captaincy role some two seasons ago, and I have been assured it was a genuine shoulder complaint rather than my style of leadership (I can hear you all, Leadership ?? Is that what you call it ??). It's great to see him back anyway, and I can assure you after serving up one or two customary pre-season half-volleys, he can still drive the ball.

While I'm talking about players with more than a likeness to Louis Saha when it comes to bonding time with the physio, Darren Carr is recovering well from his shoulder operation that he underwent sometime in 1994 I think. He has managed to get into the nets, and I'm pleased to say his progress looks promising in terms of being ready for the start of the new season. Also vice-captain and rugby tough-guy Rick Keyworth has finally come to his senses and realised that rugby is far too rough a sport to play in between cricket seasons and has not got onto the 'rugger' pitch over the winter. Unfortunately for Keysy it hasn't been through choice as he's struggled with a back problem, hopefully time spent resting his injury will ensure he too will be fighting fit come the season opener on April 23rd when we travel to Warrington.

The numbers at nets have been good, which is fantastic, it does bring it's own problems such as limited time in the nets for each batsman and bowlers bowling a delivery than having to wait a while for the next one. It is something we're conscious of and are trying to find a practical solution to, but it is very encouraging to see so many people geared up for the new season.

I cannot stress the importance of practice both pre-season and during the season. Some players do have the misconception of believing they can go from Saturday to Saturday without picking up the bat or bowling a ball. It is possible, and if the results have been positive without training, imagine the improvement with some added fitness or more time spent on the basics.

We are hoping once again to arrange a pre-season friendly season, with Bollington already enquiring if we wish to face-off again in order to get some game time in before the season starts for real. There are major benefits to this, for example locating your whites before the first game of the season, and it also allows you to realise what you burnt at the end of last season giving you time to make some necessary purchases before the following weekend. As for the cricketing aspects, of course it's always good to get rid of some that rustiness as we look to hit the ground running in 2011.

Can I urge all players to regularly check the website for any upcoming events and help support the club in a small way by attending these functions that the social committee, and others, go to a lot of trouble in organising. We recently enjoyed the Presentation night at the club, which was reasonably well supported (but it can always be better) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It represents a chance to give some well earned recognition to players of all standards, young and old, that performed well in one area or another throughout 2010, and if you're that way inclined youcan even enjoy one or two more drinks than perhaps you usually would on a Saturday night. Realised pretty late in the night, my drinking games with 'the youngsters' should be a thing of the past, but that ain't gonna happen.

That's all from me for now, as I say I am aiming to use this blog as a convenient way to update folk with anything I may deem worthwhile (or not as the case may be), it'll also save me texting so many people and costing me an absolute fortune!!