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Getting in to playing at an older age

Jap Stammer said:
I was once out first ball of the game at Horden - caught and bowled by Steven Ward, who is sadly no longer with us.

Took guard at 2pm and was back in the dressing room at 2:01pm. Spent the rest of our innings lying in the sun in a huff and got sunburnt. Got heckled by the Horden cardboard-cutouts when I was fielding as well. Not a good day at all, but, hey ho, sh!t happens.

Think I got fifty-odd the following week - cricket's like that. You've just got to take the rough with the smooth and enjoy it for what it is.
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Once saw a bloke get out at horden who was absolutely livid as he walked off. Got to the changing rooms and hoyed his batting gloves onto the roof and sat down in a huff. About 10 mins later once he’d calmed down strode off to get a ladder to retrieve said gloves from the roof. 😂😂😂
 

SAFC2403 said:
Once saw a bloke get out at horden who was absolutely livid as he walked off. Got to the changing rooms and hoyed his batting gloves onto the roof and sat down in a huff. About 10 mins later once he’d calmed down strode off to get a ladder to retrieve said gloves from the roof. 😂😂😂
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I only once threw a strop on a decision

In the Sheffield midweek alliance, you were often umpired by a bloke from your own side, this can result in someone trying to be over fair and giving decisions to the opposition, a bent f.ooker giving you everything, or someone who actually didn't know the basics.
I was in a massive partnership batting with the number 4 (Partnership was nearly 40....(Fuc k off)
and he went to square cut, the ball hit the bottom edge and rattled into his pad, some idiot appealed, and our mates finger went up.
We were schooled to walk on decision, he walked..I was simply staring at the idiot of an umpire I actually worked with...I couldn't hold me water and said
"He got a bottom edge first on that one mate"
His reply
"Yea but it was going on to hit middle"
I mean..I laugh now, but at the time .....
We once wrote a book of excuses one afternoon when a game was called off
We worked out..not a one of us was at fault at anytime for dropping a catch, or getting out.
It was a reight laugh, all p*ssed and saying stuff like.....
"Outswinger, didn't read it"
I only ever played with one player EVER that could read a ball out of a bowlers hand...and one bowler who could put the ball where he wanted it, and it do what he wanted to do with it...and they were BOTH the same player....So unless he actually once bowled to himself....I haven't seen the movie.
Its simply the level played at....Its a great game, even when you are average, no buggrr remembers your gaffes, if youplay at the level I played at, you get picked simply because the ball might hit you in the field and you stop a single ffs!..Its cricket, its so subtle you can say owt, no f.ooker notices.
I mean Sheffield Sunday league football is a totally different kettle of crap....You volley the ball into yer own net and you can't say
"It turned in "..yer simply crap..no excuses...From a corner..I once went to clear an header, glanced it onto me own cross bar, it ricochets out from the cross bar, back to me...I shinned it and hit me own post..Captain screamed
"Which bloody side are you playing for"
I p*ssed meself with laughting, cos it I was like panic struck, and found it funny, but the rest of the team didn't and kept giving me a round of f ucks....you don't get that in cricket, cos its NEVER your fault, and no-one argues cos they have the same problem
 
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wednesday1957 said:
I only once threw a strop on a decision

In the Sheffield midweek alliance, you were often umpired by a bloke from your own side, this can result in someone trying to be over fair and giving decisions to the opposition, a bent f.ooker giving you everything, or someone who actually didn't know the basics.
I was in a massive partnership batting with the number 4 (Partnership was nearly 40....(Fuc k off)
and he went to square cut, the ball hit the bottom edge and rattled into his pad, some idiot appealed, and our mates finger went up.
We were schooled to walk on decision, he walked..I was simply staring at the idiot of an umpire I actually worked with...I couldn't hold me water and said
"He got a bottom edge first on that one mate"
His reply
"Yea but it was going on to hit middle"
I mean..I laugh now, but at the time .....
We once wrote a book of excuses one afternoon when a game was called off
We worked out..not a one of us was at fault at anytime for dropping a catch, or getting out.
It was a reight laugh, all p*ssed and saying stuff like.....
"Outswinger, didn't read it"
I only ever played with one player EVER that could read a ball out of a bowlers hand...and one bowler who could put the ball where he wanted it, and it do what he wanted to do with it...and they were BOTH the same player....So unless he actually once bowled to himself....I haven't seen the movie.
Its simply the level played at....Its a great game, even when you are average, no buggrr remembers your gaffes, if youplay at the level I played at, you get picked simply because the ball might hit you in the field and you stop a single ffs!..Its cricket, its so subtle you can say owt, no f.ooker notices.
I mean Sheffield Sunday league football is a totally different kettle of crap....You volley the ball into yer own net and you can't say
"It turned in "..yer simply crap..no excuses...From a corner..I once went to clear an header, glanced it onto me own cross bar, it ricochets out from the cross bar, back to me...I shinned it and hit me own post..Captain screamed
"Which bloody side are you playing for"
I p*ssed meself with laughting, cos it I was like panic struck, and found it funny, but the rest of the team didn't and kept giving me a round of f ucks....you don't get that in cricket, cos its NEVER your fault, and no-one argues cos they have the same problem
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Played in a DSL game against Philadelphia CC when they had Wasim Raja as pro. Him and our pro knew each other well and had played international cricket against each other.

There was one particular over when Raja was bowling his full bag of tricks to our pro, Azad, who was shouting out what each delivery was as it left Raja's hand - 'Orthodox', 'Googly', 'Outswinger', 'Inswinger' and so on. He took a single off the fifth ball, leaving me with one to face.

Wasim ripped his faster ball past my outside edge as I was about two weeks too late with my defensive prod.

'That was the faster one,' shouts Azad to me.

Yeah? Really? Go and take your f@cking head for a sh!te, and while you're on, f@ck off until you can't f@ck off any more.

Twat!
 
Inside Forward said:
I’ve been thinking this too. I’m 32 and have never played (only really started watching about 3 years ago) but it’s my favourite sport and I’d love to have a go at playing it.
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I'm late to this thread, and I've got 5 years on you, but in the same boat.

My kids play for one of the local sides, eldest having started in All-Stars.

They put a call out for Dads to come along to nets sessions for the main team. I've never played, my school was in a crap part of town and it was just never a thing. I've always enjoyed watching, and my Dad always had TMS on the radio in the house (the switch might as well be glued to 198 longwave). I'm reasonably up to speed with rules and fielding positions.

Had a blast bowling in nets once I got my length right, but sadly IMO it's difficult to start at an older age if you've never played. The lads were really accommodating but I was acutely aware/overthinking if I sent one badly wide, I was f***ing up someone's limited batting time.

Almost need a kwik-cricket esque setup for adults to get into it. Reading the rest of the thread, pleased you've found a way in.
 
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nothing funnier in village cricket than someone spitting the dummy, can see everyone trying not to laugh as they walk past, always love when someone breaks the ice with a "well batted mate" if someone is out first ball

Had some horror decisions in my time playing too, never scored a 100 but was out for 92 once, was caught on the rope, and when i say caught on the rope i mean the lad was stood on the rope as he took the catch,(this was before the days of taking them and trying to jump back in) i stood my ground as it was clear as day, They appealed and the umpire gave me out, our captain went ballistic, i was only 18 at the time, dont think i ever scored more than about 40 after that
 
Inside Forward said:
First game of the season on Saturday. I’ve been picked to play at number 8. I must say I’m shitting myself a bit. :lol:

If I can avoid getting out for a duck I’ll be happy! It’s against one of the better teams in the league too.

I’ve had a few net sessions. Absolutely loving it.
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Just watch the ball all the way onto the bat and don’t be in a hurry to belt the cover off the ball.

You’ll have more time than you think
 
Inside Forward said:
First game of the season on Saturday. I’ve been picked to play at number 8. I must say I’m shitting myself a bit. :lol:

If I can avoid getting out for a duck I’ll be happy! It’s against one of the better teams in the league too.

I’ve had a few net sessions. Absolutely loving it.
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Class. Post on here how you did and crippled you feel the day after.

Played my first game of the season last night at very blustery and cold wearmouth. Got 23 opening up with a lad who kept nicking the strike. Threatened to run him out at one point. We put 80 on in 10 overs so not too bad a start. Aching like fuck today.
mackem1989 said:
Not played for a few years might be time for a comeback any teams looking for players
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I’d say any club will welcome new players. Where do you live as we can suggest a club closest to you? My club silksworth always on look out for players. We have 3 weekend sides and a midweek team.
 
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SAFC2403 said:
Class. Post on here how you did and crippled you feel the day after.

Played my first game of the season last night at very blustery and cold wearmouth. Got 23 opening up with a lad who kept nicking the strike. Threatened to run him out at one point. We put 80 on in 10 overs so not too bad a start. Aching like fuck today.

I’d say any club will welcome new players. Where do you live as we can suggest a club closest to you? My club silksworth always on look out for players. We have 3 weekend sides and a midweek team.
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I’m in Hylton castle, I was going to head to Hylton in the summer but missed the winter sessions

had two major injuries which ruined me like a hand break and metal in my hip 😂
 
mackem1989 said:
I’m in Hylton castle, I was going to head to Hylton in the summer but missed the winter sessions

had two major injuries which ruined me like a hand break and metal in my hip 😂
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Helton will deffo welcome you with open arms. The first team skipper Kieron is a canny lad who I played with at littletown.
 
Sillypoint said:
nothing funnier in village cricket than someone spitting the dummy, can see everyone trying not to laugh as they walk past, always love when someone breaks the ice with a "well batted mate" if someone is out first ball

Had some horror decisions in my time playing too, never scored a 100 but was out for 92 once, was caught on the rope, and when i say caught on the rope i mean the lad was stood on the rope as he took the catch,(this was before the days of taking them and trying to jump back in) i stood my ground as it was clear as day, They appealed and the umpire gave me out, our captain went ballistic, i was only 18 at the time, dont think i ever scored more than about 40 after that
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Once got asked to stand in as Captain as the regular lad was away and the VC didn't want to do it.

Lost the toss and got put in to bat on a 'sporting' wicket.

Went in to bat at three or four (long time ago, now, Can't remember which). Took guard. Young lad bowling runs in as fast as he could, bangs it in halfway down the pitch. I went back then watched in horror as the ball rolled along the ground and hit the base of middle stump. First f@cking ball.

Walked off the pitch into a deadly silent dressing-room, sat down and started to take off my pads. "So," came a voice from the back of the room. "How are you liking this captaincy lark?" Cue much hilarity. The b@stards!

Anyway, we won, so it wasn't a complete disaster of a day.
 
Many years back I captained our second team for a season. We arrived late for a league game at Swalwell, ran into the changing room, hoyed me bag down, ran back out for the toss. Lost...put into bat. I used to open back then, so it was a quick change to get back out on time

About a minute after being on the field I realised some twat had sprayed me box with deep heat.

Mind, I batted quite well that day so perhaps I should have done it every week!
 
Reporting back on today.

We won the toss and fielded first. I got my first catch which was a massive relief and generally fielded well. They were all out for 200 (45 overs each).

Our captain thought we could chase it but we lost some poor early wickets and by the time I came in at number 7 it was made clear that a draw would be an achievement. I was very nervous. Being out there surrounded by opposition players was quite intimidating.

I hung around for 7 or 8 overs and managed to score 9 including one 4 (the only boundary we managed actually). I got out bowled round the legs which really annoyed me but I would have taken just scoring one run at the start of the game. :lol: By the time I’d got out there weren’t that many overs left and our tail managed to bat out the draw.

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Aching all over now though. It was beautiful and sunny all day too which was lovely. Can’t wait for next Saturday.
 
Inside Forward said:
Reporting back on today.

We won the toss and fielded first. I got my first catch which was a massive relief and generally fielded well. They were all out for 200 (45 overs each).

Our captain thought we could chase it but we lost some poor early wickets and by the time I came in at number 7 it was made clear that a draw would be an achievement. I was very nervous. Being out there surrounded by opposition players was quite intimidating.

I hung around for 7 or 8 overs and managed to score 9 including one 4 (the only boundary we managed actually). I got out bowled round the legs which really annoyed me but I would have taken just scoring one run at the start of the game. :lol: By the time I’d got out there weren’t that many overs left and our tail managed to bat out the draw.

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Aching all over now though. It was beautiful and sunny all day too which was lovely. Can’t wait for next Saturday.
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Absolutely fantastic. You'll be immobile tomorrow btw.
 
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