Mat-fixing allegations :)

We'd a big mat-fixing operation yesterday before training, it certainly seems to have improved matters somewhat - though we won't know how much until we get to bowl on it when it isn't spilling rain!

We all got pretty soaked, and it wasn't ideal bowling conditions with the ball getting very greasy and mis-shapen. I decided I'd play around for a while when bowling and see if I could get the ball to do anything interesting, so I just experimented with a few grips - inswing, outswing and cross-seam, and different wrist positions. I found I was able to get the ball to swing in late a couple of times - which was great, as my natural movement is away-swing. Granted it didn't move very far, but at least it did move. The grip felt awkward though, and in conjunction with the wet ball made for a few wides and full tosses. It's definitely something to work on though.

During the day yesterday too we had our little work-related indoor game. First time around with the bat I felt I played well. I was playing at anything straight with the full face of the bat, and without trying to score it was getting punched back past the bowler for a couple and kept the tally ticking over. Unfortunately I didn't learn from this and in my second batting stint I was trying to score runs and ended up getting caught very quickly I really need a lot more experience in the middle to get the mental side of my batting right. If I concentrate on just watching the ball and getting the bat on it late I might have some hope of sneaking runs - whereas if I go after the bowling I usually can't see the ball at all and end up swiping at fresh air while the ball is busy beating the stumps to death. I'll stick with the patient approach, it'll come good one of these days :D

Tomorrow would be a good day for that to happen ... we've a first round cup game against a team that hammered us two weeks ago - bowled us out for just 60 I got 0* in that game without facing. Unfortunately, at the moment we only have 9 players (8 that will be there on time), so it could be a tough day! Batting the overs will be the main plan I think. If we can get through them there's a good chance we'll have a defendable total (anything over 120 I think is possible on our ground) and we won't be able to blame the missing batsmen for our score.

Obviously it will be tough fielding with 9, but we've done it successfully before and the skipper is canny enough to come up with a good plan I reckon. A big part of it is going to be for the bowlers to be consistent in their line. Ideally we'd be looking at a 6-1 off side field - but I don't think that's possible for Junior C bowling.

I'm actually looking forward to it though ... weather permitting of course.

Rising Damp?

Aravon Cricket Pitch

Bit of a disaster this weekend!!

It's been raining pretty much constantly for the last couple of weeks over here - and it's finally managed to do some real damage to our pitch!

We put in a mat at the start of last season when we moved grounds, and on Saturday the firsts game was called off because the top layer of the mat had lifted from the underlay. There was basically a 4 foot square bubble on a length that killed every ball that bounced near it. Then on Sunday morning it was even worse, with a load of standing water on and around the mat and both ends lifted from the ground

As it turned out, the games probably would have been off anyway due to the weather (though sunday evening was very nice). But still, I don't know how likely it is that the pitch will be playable by next weekend. We might have some interesting fixture conjestion over the next few weeks!

The thirds managed to get in a half game on Saturday at an away ground. I'm definitely going to have to post some pictures of this place - it's on the grounds of a school that looks a lot like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films - no kidding. The setting was great - but the pitch was a mess. It was damp and mucky - and it wasn't even really a wicket ... basically just a strip of grass cut short. It didn't even look like it had been rolled! Not that rolling would have helped - it wasn't even level to begin with. There were some odd bounces off it. One coming up at your head if it hits a ridge, and the next skidding through even though it seemed the same length - nightmare.

Aravon School

We lost the toss and were unsurprised to be put in to bat - but then we managed to get the score to 190 in 39.3 overs. I came in at 11 and was involved in a 15 run partnership, of which I put on 0 The important thing was to survive until the last over so as not to give the opposition extra ones - which we did. I faced 6 balls, 3 of which were decent yorkers that I managed to jam down on, and the rest I just left or tried to defend. In the last over my batting partner hit one to square leg and started running without calling. I was a bit confused, but started to run - until he stopped in the middle of the wicket and turned to look at the man picking the ball up! After that it kinda went slow motiony ... he tried to get back to his ground, but slipped and ended up in a heap. So then it was up to me to try to beat the ball to the strikers end. Luckily the throw wasn't good and the keeper was busy trying to pick the ball up when I made it in - but unfortunately, my batting partner was too slow getting up and didn't make it to the non-strikers end before that wicket was put down

So I ended up with 0* for the third innings in a row ... even after a suicidal attempt to save the other batsman

I think all out defense is the way to go with my batting for the moment. Our teams tend to have spectacular collapses meaning that when I come to the wicket we have lots and lots of time. I reckon if I get some time at the crease just getting bat on ball and content not to score, eventually I'll get a better eye and be able to hit out at the ball should the occasion arise.

Trinity Pitch

Also, I'd a taverners match on Friday in Trinity College - a fantastic ground (pics to follow). I batted fairly poorly trying to whack the ball - the idea being to score some runs or get out and let someone else have a go. But kept just missing it. I got two runs off the edge, but never felt remotely comfortable. In the reply, trinity chased 91 with the loss of only one wicket. I bowled my two overs getting 1 for 11. Should have been less runs, but our fielding was poor to say the least. I'm no exception - having let a catch bounce just in front of me and then go for 4

Ah well, hopefully we'll have a pitch next week!

EDIT:
Nearly forgot! The wicket I took on friday was a first for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I noticed a flaw in the batsmans technique and was able to expose it. And secondly because it was the first time I intentionally swung the ball!

I spotted that the batsman took guard about 3 inches outside leg stump :? and it occurred to me that the only reason someone would do that was because they were crap off their legs. So I adjusted accordingly and started bowling at his pads. Sure enough he had trouble getting it away. So then I started bowling with the ball angled for outswing, and on the third attempt - it moved late - he missed it - and it hit leg stump

I'm sure it won't be every week that the batsman will give a clue that big, but it's progress for me that I'm actually looking for these things.

New leggie

View from our home ground

There were only 5 of us at training last night after a very busy weekend for the club (6 games) so we decided to just have a bat and bowl. Not much point having fielding drills with so few there. I didn't bowl very well, but after a while of chasing down the ball you've just bowled over and over - neither did anyone. It was nice to get a good long bat though - I made an effort to be very defensive, especially against the spinners, and I think I did OK. I did go after a few - but they would have been easily caught and I guess it reinforces that a defensive approach would be best for now. If I can somehow claw my way out of the lead for the duck cup at this stage it will be a miracle, but it's worth a try.

Also, one of the new guys at the club tried his hand at a bit of leg spin last evening - and did surprisingly well! He was getting the ball to turn on our mat, which is notoriously un-spinny. Obviously he wasn't the most accurate with it being his first time trying it, but I reckon with a bit of practice he could be quite useful. He bowled me round (or through I think) my legs at one stage. It was a shorter ball that I started going down to, and then decided to leave as it was going down leg. But it pitched and straightened and shot by me as I was heading back to the crease and took out leg stump!

Bloody spinners!

I've suggested to him to have a look at the leg-spin thread here, and to think about getting the Philpott book and watch some of the vids on youtube. So he may be joining us at some stage I hope!

Over-cricket-itis!!

I'm starting to get to a stage where I can't remember details about individual matches anymore! I'm glad I have the blog to remind me of stuff. One of the 1st teamers asked me yesterday who had taken wickets the previous day in the game I played - and I flat out couldn't remember. I couldn't even really remember who had played - or if I'd bowled my self!!!!

Bizarre!

Anyway after thinking about it, it wasn't too surprising that I was confused as frequent bowling changes were the order of the day, and no-one had taken more than a 3-for.

So on friday, I was looking forward to a busy weekend of cricket - with a cup game for the 3rds on Saturday and a league fixture for the 4ths on Sunday. But at lunchtime on Friday I got a text from the 2nds captain asking me to shift up to their team on Saturday. 2nds is a bit above my standard - but as he was stuck, I had no problem travelling. But then a half hour later I got a call from him saying that he'd got someone else and didn't need me any more! And by then the 3rds was full again - so I'd no game! A while later though our 3rds skipper said he needed me - only for the 2nds captain to call me again looking for me to play! At this stage I just said "the pair of you can sort it out and when you know where and if I'm needed - let me know".

View from edge of Mullingar cricket pitch

So eventually I ended up going to Mullingar to play for the 2s (3->2->no-one->3->2 in 4 hours ... phew). It was a good game, which we won well - defending 140 on a damp track relatively comfortably. I was batting at 11, and faced 2 balls before the other man got bowled - so 0* (much better than a duck ). I didn't get a bowl, but managed to take a sharp catch at square leg - one of those reaction catches that you take about once every 10 tries. Apparently after taking it I still had a look of terror on my face for a few seconds before I realised I'd actually caught it. I wasn't great in the field for the first while of the game - mis-fielding 3 due to a lack of concentration and a wet ball. Got away with it though for the most part - only costing us one run ... but boy was I glad that it wasn't a much tighter game!

We'd our annual club mid-season drinks that night too - wasn't a great turnout though. And I was fairly tired after travelling and a long game - meaning I was glad to get home before 3 and get to sleep.

Sunday then I was playing 4ths - and it was a bit of a nightmare game! We got off to a very poor start with both openers getting 3 a piece - and it pretty much went downhill from there! Only 2 of our guys made double figures, with one getting 30-odd and another 14 - with the rest of the team pitching in to get us to just 60 all out! I got a 0 not out without facing a ball. Once I came in the other batsman decided to hit out and got caught in the deep. On reflection though, it would have made much more sense if he'd kept playing sensibly and I tried to block up an end. Chances are I would have been bowled cheaply anyway - but if we'd managed to stick on another 20 runs who knows what would have happened.

We didn't do too badly in the field considering - taking 4 wickets before they managed to make the total. Even with this though, we never completely looked like pulling it off. We gave a good attempt though - with some pressure fielding and opening with a spinner to try and put some pressure on. I was fielding at silly mid off and also quite close in on the leg side. I managed to stop a few balls, and managed to avoid being decapitated by one that was cracked at me. I got a hand to it ... but only to stop it hitting me in the face. I've got a nice little bruise on the side of my hand and my ikkle finger doesn't like me much - but it saved a run or two so no complaints here.

I did get to bowl three overs in this match, taking 2 for 16. So a bit expensive again, but at least I'm taking wickets. My major problem is that my first over is usually too loose (unless I get a wicket with the first ball). Yesterday it went for 10, before clawing back the rate for the next two. I still think that I need to groove my action for a few hours a week until I'm able to ramp up faster in games - but it's been difficult to find time.

Also - one of our thirds players pulled a ball into his face yesterday and broke his nose - nasty. Funny enough I'm seriously considering purchasing a helmet now.

Midweek

Merrion's Home Ground

I had a nightmare bowling spell yesterday!! Our thirds had a midweek game that I was picked for relatively late. We lost the toss and were put in to bat, with myself as the number 11. I didn't get a go though as we only lost 7 wickets in posting 240 in 40 overs, which is the highest score for the thirds in our club.

We also had an ideal start in the defense, when I took a catch at square leg off the 2nd ball of the innings - giving me a total of 8 catches from 12 games so far this year. We were a bit short on the bowling side - so it was likely I'd be getting a few overs. Unfortunately though, their number 7 was a very good batsman. He was very solid against anything full and straight, granted he wasn't great outside off stump, rarely getting a shot away out there for runs. But he had a great eye - and anything short was thumped away over the pavillion for 6

One of our opening bowlers got hit for two 6s in one over - including one lost ball. So the skipper took him off and tried me at his end......

Two overs, 22 runs and three more lost balls later .....

Numerous balls last seen bouncing on this roof

Needless to say, another bowling change was tried. Luckily (for me), he got the very same treatment - going for 23 in his two overs. We managed to get him out eventually though, when our spinner got him to mis-hit a shot to mid off who gladly took it. We went on to bowl them out 99 runs short of their target.

I also dropped a difficult chance at deep square leg - it was well struck and was coming at me flat, and I didn't pick it up until late - so it bounced off the edge of my palm and out. It's a bit bruised, but not that bad. I made up for it a bit later in the over when he tried a similar shot through mid-wicket that I just pulled back inside the boundary. But I was disappointed not to take my 9th.

Unfortunately, I didn't get back on to try and fix my figures a bit - and I reckon it'll be a while before the thirds resort to bowling me again. It was especially disappointing after a good spell of bowling at the weekend. I think the problem was that I was trying to bowl too fast, and I ended up dragging it short too often. I was trying to keep it full, but it just didn't click for me for some reason. It didn't help either that I couldn't establish a rhythm because we kept having to retrieve or replace the ball and I was a bit knackered.

As soon as I get a chance I'm going to get back down to the pitch by myself and get some more bowling in. I haven't had enough time of late to practice my bowling, meaning that a lot of my overs come in games - where as I've figured out, you cannot afford to be off.

We've a few games at the weekend, so I may be in action twice. Hopefully I can do a bit better if I get a bowl.

Longest day

Sandyford v Merrion - Cars came in handy for keeping the book dry

On the weekend that contained the longest day of the year - and supposedly the middle of summer - 3 of the clubs 4 games were called off :( The only game to go ahead being the 4ths fixture against one of the two teams that had beaten us already this year. Somehow we managed to dodge the rain and squeeze in a match - only having to come off the field 3 or 4 times for heavy showers.

This was a mixed blessing - good that we got it completed, but bad because we were soundly beaten.

They batted first on a pitch that constantly kept low and started well - with both openers making it into the 20s. We were a man short for the first 14 overs, and so were constantly having to adjust the field. But one of the openers in particular was finding the gaps well. Eventually we got him, and soon after our last man turned up. The game started going well for us for a while then, getting a few quick wickets.

I was brought on with the score around 80-5. My first ball was a rank long-hop wide outside off :blush: - which has happened to me in a few games. But then my 2nd was a length ball on middle stump. Their man tried to play it onto the leg side, but only succeeded in popping up an easy catch to short-midwicket (inspired field placing ;) ). Unfortunately though, this only resulted in their number 8 coming in, and in true Vettori fashion - this guy went and made 83!! Including around 8 or 9 6s!!! In my third over he hit me for about 12 runs, including one 6 that cleared my man at deep midwicket :(

At that stage, the captain started a bowling change war against him - which resulted in him destroying everyones figures. At one stage he hit three 6s in a row over mid-on - each going a bit further than the last. Eventually the captain brought me back on, and I managed to get under his bat when he was trying to get the ball into orbit and take out middle stump :) At the very least, this saved us having the last 4 overs going for 90-odd runs :D Once he was out, it was easy enough to clean up the tail with a bowled and an LBW to finish their innings with 2 balls left.

179 was the target, which given our track record of batting was never going to be easy. We had a shaky start, with one of our openers pulling a hamstring early on. All their players ran over to see if he was OK, while one of the umpires (from our team) stood back and took photos!!! I'll put them on here once they're on the site ;) I went on as a runner for him, and he made a quick 20 before being bowled.

Bowled was to be a word that featured heavily in the scorecard, with 9 of the 10 wickets on our side being such. The odd one out was a well taken stumping. I was batting 11, and came on for the hat-trick ball of one of their bowlers - luckily, he put it down wide of off. I managed to nick one run in the next over before being bowled on my third ball ::) So Sandyford all out for 82.

My dismissal was from a ball I always have trouble playing. It starts looking like it's going down leg and then swings back onto the stumps. And for some reason I always play right across it. It didn't swing very much, but it was enough for the likes of me to misjudge it.

So as I said - not a great result for the team, but I was happy enough with my first 4-for ... even if it was a bit expensive (~6 rpo). Then again, none of the bowlers came out of the encounter very well off. Their number 8 was the difference between the teams, with scoring almost 4 times more than anyone else and taking 3 wickets. If you take away his batting and replace it with a usual number 8s 6 or 7 runs, then it might have been a very different game.

Busy week ahead - our thirds have games on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. And the 4ths have a fixture on Sunday. So potentially a lot of cricket in the offing. Though the weather forecast isn't looking great. Below is also a picture of one of the wheels from my bowling machine with motor attached. I've levelled the wheels now too - and it's cut down vibrations a lot, but there's still some work to do when I have more time.

Red and silver thing is a motor - not a beer can ;)

Nets update - 19/06

Nets went pretty well again last night. I bowled OK, and managed to put the vast majority on a good length. And the ball was almost always pitching on leg stump. However, all of the balls were seaming in This basically meant that if it was a little bit short it moved outside leg and it was whacked. But it wasn't too bad - as it was being whacked to Deep-Midwicket, so in a match situation it would be covered (hopefully).

I got a short bat at the end of the session too, and it felt really good. Two of the first teamers were trying to fire in yorkers, and I was having great fun with it. I'd a lovely looking drive past mid-off, and another through covers - both of which felt "right". It was another one of those moments where you do something - and a switch trips in your head going "So that's what they meant"! I'd say that this was the first time I'd ever actually played a ball directly under my eyes - and it makes such a big difference!

I was still lucky not to be bowled, I'd two inside edges that missed leg stump. But I suppose the difference is that previously I wouldn't have had the bat anywhere near the ball. And I guess that it helped that I knew they were trying yorkers, so I'd an idea where they were trying to pitch it. Still, it was good fun.

I effected a few run-outs again too, but generally my fielding was poor. I dropped one (admittedly difficult) chance, and some of my throws into the keeper were at his head instead of into his hands.

One thing that really does annoy me though is other players attitudes to fielding in nets. Very few of us were walking in, or trying to field with any sort of intensity. Instead some people were moping about looking bored until they were called to bat or bowl. As far as I'm concerned, if you're a lazy fielder in training thinking "I'll do it properly when it matters" - then the laziness is goint to follow you into the games. There's nothing worse than seeing a ball drop just short of a player when they're still trying to transfer their weight off their heels, and still taking their hands out of their pockets

I found my old camera last night too, but I have no idea where the USB cable is. I'll try to pick one up on the way home from work today. Our 1sts have a big cup game tomorrow so I'll take a few pics during and upload what our pitch looks like here.