Authored by: dburke on Tuesday, March 04 2008 @ 12:39 AM GMT

I agree. Isn't it strange how the people who have improved the most seem to be the ones that train the hardest?

At the level we aspire to play at small things (one percenters the Aussies call them) will make big differences. We will find very quickly that when a player has a discernable weakness, opposition players will now have the skill and experience to target and exploit that weakness very quickly.

Our teams this year are not going to have the luxury of half a season to acclimatise to their respective leagues. All four teams are going to have to be bang on form from ball one. As a result, the time to get the preparation and improvements to your game done is now, not during the season when the pressure is on.

Obviously I will not be involved in selection, no longer being a team captain, but I would love to see some of the people who have committed themselves 100% to being the very best that they can be really push through this year. We all know that there are successive generations of high quality cricketers coming through the club in the 13-19 age bracket, and I think there are some really hard choices ahead. Let's make sure that they are choices forced upon us by on field successes, not failures.

I, for one, will relish the challenge of hanging on to my spot as these lads grow older (and so do I!); but I wonder how many of us feel like this and how many would be happier to shrink into the background for a easier ride.

I hope the captains make some tough decisions; we all know that the future of our club is so so bright, but we all have to be a part of that because without any of us this club would not be the unbeliveable place that it is.

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Authored by: junior on Tuesday, March 04 2008 @ 01:09 AM GMT

I agree with dave, the people who are training hard are reaping the rewards. Down my end of the scale the sheer amount of people who wern't even considered to play 4ths have all reached the level of which they could play for my team. And people who were playing however not regularly (ie sam stein) are making huge pushes towards spots in the teams and are improving considerably. Good on them. Selection will be interesting

The ones and two's training has been good however it is same old same old. Is it any wonder why phil barrow is one of the best bowlers in the premier 2nd XI league. He turns up every week, all he brings is a ball and bowls constantly all night. Good effort mr Barrow

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Cheers lads

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Authored by: venu kondamudi on Tuesday, March 11 2008 @ 03:35 PM GMT

Probably another stupid suggestion,but please read through.

I do strongly believe that nets are good, but Stats are there for a reason. we should consider them as well when we pick a player. ( but for how long is the question)

I think all the teams captains do need to have a target score for batsmen and wickets for bowlers. ( absolutely must, to have a target for this selection to be fair, I got the impression that selection is done by word of mouth every week after previous weeks scores and training, why change a winning combination let it stay for few weeks before you do the selection every 3rd week so that you get a good idea of the player.)

Asses each player especially the teenagers for 3 matches minimum( 5 max ) in this season before they go up a stage. ( or you can use average, as all the bowlers and batsmen do not get to bowl and bat all the time). than the captain saying he bowled/ batted well after one match, or I like him/ technique or panic and take all the good players for crucial match in their league.


for example :
4ths team
batsman; average of 50 ( for the above said 3 - 5 matches) before he goes to 3rds( as 3rds playing very high standards) and 3rds can put a target of 40 average before they go up to 2nds average of 35 to go to first.
same for the bowlers.

And make sure if some one consistently performs below par( set a target ie 25 average for batting or less in first team to be demoted down) in the upper leagues should come down even if they are your best batsman as 5 matches is sufficient enough to prove if someone is good for a season.

All said captain have 3-4 players to deal with in each team as I guess there are only 3-4 teenagers per team and you still have your unchanged 7-8 players whom you should be confident of winning games for you.

Apologies if you have been doing this before hand but in order for this to be fair every one should be starting a the lower rank and go up than Sloted in between as you heard somewhere he was good. ( so pick your 16 teenagers for 4 teams and start the ball rolling if you like the idea) but this process needs to be transparent and should match with Stats so that there is a healthy competition going on than rivalry.Captains please do tell your players the reason why they have been dropped ( Personal experience after an average of around 70 in first 2 matches for the 3rds I was dropped to 4ths no reason given,( no offence all, but my point is about communication) I thought to give a chance to a youngster?) want to hear some comments.

Please don't forget if they cant field let them stay as low as they can be, I have seen appalling fielders go up the ranks.

If you want to bring this average system to all the team members. bring it on, I will look forward to playing first this season.

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Authored by: junior on Wednesday, March 12 2008 @ 02:51 PM GMT

i agree with soem aspects of what your saying venu but that system you proposed seems to be on the assumption that everyone is avaliable every week. This definately isnt the case, if it was our jobs as captains would be a whole lot easier. Finding the compromise between the two is very difficult and something we are striving to do better this year.
Selection has never been done by hearsay and never will. Basically this season everyone is going to have to train hard and perform if expected to be selected, and you will be selected on your merits. Not what others say about you.
I do understand where your coming from though, and believe me selection meetings this year will be even better (or worse depending on how you view them) than last year

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Cheers lads

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Authored by: venu kondamudi on Friday, March 14 2008 @ 12:02 AM GMT

Thanks guys for good replies, my postings was not to upset you captains, ( i do know you people spend more than above average hours to bring the club into life).

I bet 90% of the people might not have known what goes behind the scenes till now. what you lot go through before picking a team. By opening the can of worms, at least half of us have some insight into your difficulties as well.

At the end of the day my point has been mentioned in a nutshell by Gilly.

once again thank you for the replies to all caps.

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Authored by: Ezra on Friday, March 14 2008 @ 12:11 AM GMT

its funny how players from other teams react when I say we started indoor nets in the first week of january - I think it's fair to say the club as a whole had a pretty good start to last season and i have a hunch that the same can happen again because of the extensive training - we will be in more of a groove than so many other sides - i also wonder how many clubs are having a discussion like this one PRE-SEASON - testimony to the attitude, determination, commitment and sense of excitement of this fantastic club

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