The family man…
So I was discussing cricket with one of my mates, and he mentioned about the renewed possibility (I think it’s now agreed) of there being a ‘super-league’ for South Wales cricket. This would involve teams from east and west, stretching from Chepstow to Ammanford, all playing each other in a competition to see who’s the best team in the whole of South Wales.
Initially I thought great: a stronger league playing a higher standard of cricket that would be a better feeder league for Glamorgan to call upon. And provide a clear pyramid for younger players and clubs to aspire to climb.
Then I thought about the impact it could have on that much overlooked component of the game, the family man.
If you’ve played senior cricket at any level, then you will know the sort. It’s the guy who’s been there done that. Possibly not in the shape of his life and possibly on a downward curve in terms of his cricketing abilities, but who has plenty of nous and experience to bring to the table.
It’s the family man who casually eases the young tyro quick behind square for effortless boundaries, or hops onto wide-uns to punish inaccuracy.
It’s the family man who trundles round the field, then plucks an awesome catch out of the air.
It’s the family man who bowls the military medium, on target balls that keep a hot-headed flashy batsman tied down, and who then gets slated for being crap in the dressing room once that batsman has got out slogging his wicket away in frustration.
It’s the guy with the experienced head on his shoulders who’ll dish out advice and who the skipper turns to when he’s in a jam.
Vital to the game, and hugely annoying to play against.
But is the family man going to be phased out as the new premier league puts extra demands on the levels of time and dedication that players have to give? While the league will be ‘amateur’, how many established club cricketers who have partners and kids are going to be forced out of playing at the highest amateur levels? Some could regard it as progress, showing that cricket is a ‘serious’ sport that requires a certain level of fitness.
My problem is that young cricketers can learn a lot from playing with and against these guys. It makes them learn the mental side of the game and learn it quickly before they get embarrassed at being found out. Judging by Glamorgan’s performances over the last 2 or 3 years, especially against battle hardened county sides full of old pros, surely we want our youngsters learning those tricks of the trade as they rise through the ranks? Surely the leagues should consider their actions before an important part of the amateur game is potentially forced out.
So I was discussing cricket with one of my mates, and he mentioned about the renewed possibility (I think it’s now agreed) of there being a ‘super-league’ for South Wales cricket. This would involve teams from east and west, stretching from Chepstow to Ammanford, all playing each other in a competition to see who’s the best team in the whole of South Wales.
Initially I thought great: a stronger league playing a higher standard of cricket that would be a better feeder league for Glamorgan to call upon. And provide a clear pyramid for younger players and clubs to aspire to climb.
Then I thought about the impact it could have on that much overlooked component of the game, the family man.
If you’ve played senior cricket at any level, then you will know the sort. It’s the guy who’s been there done that. Possibly not in the shape of his life and possibly on a downward curve in terms of his cricketing abilities, but who has plenty of nous and experience to bring to the table.
It’s the family man who casually eases the young tyro quick behind square for effortless boundaries, or hops onto wide-uns to punish inaccuracy.
It’s the family man who trundles round the field, then plucks an awesome catch out of the air.
It’s the family man who bowls the military medium, on target balls that keep a hot-headed flashy batsman tied down, and who then gets slated for being crap in the dressing room once that batsman has got out slogging his wicket away in frustration.
It’s the guy with the experienced head on his shoulders who’ll dish out advice and who the skipper turns to when he’s in a jam.
Vital to the game, and hugely annoying to play against.
But is the family man going to be phased out as the new premier league puts extra demands on the levels of time and dedication that players have to give? While the league will be ‘amateur’, how many established club cricketers who have partners and kids are going to be forced out of playing at the highest amateur levels? Some could regard it as progress, showing that cricket is a ‘serious’ sport that requires a certain level of fitness.
My problem is that young cricketers can learn a lot from playing with and against these guys. It makes them learn the mental side of the game and learn it quickly before they get embarrassed at being found out. Judging by Glamorgan’s performances over the last 2 or 3 years, especially against battle hardened county sides full of old pros, surely we want our youngsters learning those tricks of the trade as they rise through the ranks? Surely the leagues should consider their actions before an important part of the amateur game is potentially forced out.
Labels: Cricket
posted by Hagg at 1:27 pm
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