[Cricket] The village / amateur 2024 CRICKET thread...

[ROSM]

Used to play for them when I first moved to Sussex…….lovely setting

It's a beautiful ground. Umpired for a bit in a game there last season

 

[ROSM]

Anyone connected to local cricket may have heard that Rottingdean "behind the scenes" stalwart Sarah Hunt died a couple of weeks ago after a short battle with brain cancer. Her funeral is today, with a wake at the Saltdean Lido this afternoon. If anyone on here is with RCCC, I send my condolences to everyone at the club and her family.
Another great club to be part of (Its where my lad started his journey 8 years ago) Flag will be flying at half mast today

Rottingdean is my sons team. Sarah will be fondly remembered as she undertook every role at the club and when my son did his cricket leaders, she supported and helped him. Her husband passed away last year. She also taught me scoring and was very polite/helpful with my umpiring (explaining that I didn't need to umpire like reffing a football match)

I won't be at her celebration today but thoughts will be with her and her wider family who are so heavily involved in the club

 

[BrightonCottager]

I don't play - used to enjoy bashing a ball around with my daughter and her friend after (primary) school, but she doesn't want to anymore. I watch the St Peter's B team in Preston Park and feel a bit jealous. Unfortunately, I don't think I could justify the time, given other demands outside the football season.

 

[amexer]

Anyone connected to local cricket may have heard that Rottingdean "behind the scenes" stalwart Sarah Hunt died a couple of weeks ago after a short battle with brain cancer. Her funeral is today, with a wake at the Saltdean Lido this afternoon. If anyone on here is with RCCC, I send my condolences to everyone at the club and her family.
Another great club to be part of (Its where my lad started his journey 8 years ago) Flag will be flying at half mast today

Yes good club. Thats 3 clubs you say your lad has played for. Why do youngsters change clubs so often. Things have changed. I played senior club cricket for 15 years and apart from moving out of area players very rarely changed clubs.

 

[Bry Nylon]

As a non-cricketerist, I have a question for those that do play. And the question is this;

One Saturday afternoon last summer, I walked past the cricket ground in my local town whilst a match was in full swing. The fielding side were wearing bright yellow 'cricket whites' whilst the batsmen were wearing maroon. Obviously, I'm aware this is how the professional game has gone, but are 'team strips / colours' a thing even at local level now?

If so, it seems a shame. There's something very timeless and classy about proper cricket whites, regardless of the level / standard.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Yes good club. Thats 3 clubs you say your lad has played for. Why do youngsters change clubs so often. Things have changed. I played senior club cricket for 15 years and apart from moving out of area players very rarely changed clubs.

Basically down to the standard in kids cricket. He spent 2 happy seasons at RCC when he first started, but once he was in the Sussex Sabres set up at 11 they couldn't offer a standard good enough for him tbh. My mate coaches at RCC and actively encouraged him to move to Ditchling for Div 1 kids cricket where a couple of his mates from Sabres played. Spent a couple of years there with a brilliant squad, but because of friends moving on / taking up other sports, he decided to join LPCC for his first foray into the adult game when he was 13/14. Then he spent one season at B&HCC in the Prem after Mike Yardy suggested it as another step up (which is what SCCC wanted) - but it wasn't a good season for anyone. Grubby then put him in touch with Mayfield last year which, despite his injury, he really enjoyed - so is back this year despite relegation from the Prem last season. Hopefully off to NSW this winter to play in Oz once our season is over.

Pretty much everything hes done has been because Sussex have pushed him to take that next level step. They're happy for him to stay at Mayfield this season, but Im sure if he didn't have aspirations of a pro career he would've been happy playing club cricket on a Saturday at Lewes for the rest of his days tbh.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

As a non-cricketerist, I have a question for those that do play. And the question is this;

One Saturday afternoon last summer, I walked past the cricket ground in my local town whilst a match was in full swing. The fielding side were wearing bright yellow 'cricket whites' whilst the batsmen were wearing maroon. Obviously, I'm aware this is how the professional game has gone, but are 'team strips / colours' a thing even at local level now?

If so, it seems a shame. There's something very timeless and classy about proper cricket whites, regardless of the level / standard.

Pretty sure it depends which competition that particular game was for. For the early season games last year, Mayfield wore their Navy & Royal strip for the 50 over / T20 games - then wore whites later in the year for longer league games. Someone may know better than me though!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

As a non-cricketerist, I have a question for those that do play. And the question is this;

One Saturday afternoon last summer, I walked past the cricket ground in my local town whilst a match was in full swing. The fielding side were wearing bright yellow 'cricket whites' whilst the batsmen were wearing maroon. Obviously, I'm aware this is how the professional game has gone, but are 'team strips / colours' a thing even at local level now?

If so, it seems a shame. There's something very timeless and classy about proper cricket whites, regardless of the level / standard.

Only white kit allowed in our leagues. You might see some coloured kits in the evening leagues - but they are not terribly serious.

Nobody should be wearing a dark kit in a game played with a proper red cricket ball - you need to be able to SEE the thing. If someone ran in to bowl at me with a red ball, wearing a maroon shirt, I'd stop the game and insist the umpire ask him to change it.

 

[Shins]

As a non-cricketerist, I have a question for those that do play. And the question is this;

One Saturday afternoon last summer, I walked past the cricket ground in my local town whilst a match was in full swing. The fielding side were wearing bright yellow 'cricket whites' whilst the batsmen were wearing maroon. Obviously, I'm aware this is how the professional game has gone, but are 'team strips / colours' a thing even at local level now?

If so, it seems a shame. There's something very timeless and classy about proper cricket whites, regardless of the level / standard.

Pretty sure it depends which competition that particular game was for. For the early season games last year, Mayfield wore their Navy & Royal strip for the 50 over / T20 games - then wore whites later in the year for longer league games. Someone may know better than me though!

Yep, this is usually for cup (20/20 or 50 over), or the win/lose games in the league season (50 over usually). The season is often split into two halves, win/lose and then win/lose/draw format game. E.g. 110 overs in a day and the team batting first can use up 58 of those if they choose to, or declare, get bowled out etc.

The coloured kits will often be 1st elevens only and a good standard.

Edit - If it really was local park cricket maybe as @hans kraay fan club suggested above and some evening 20/20 stuff.

 

[um bongo molongo]

After a few years ‘retired’ after having two kids I returned last year to some Sunday friendly stuff playing for a pub side in Belsize Park called The Washington. Been really enjoying it, much more relaxed than league cricket and no pressure to play every week. This season though I could only get two games in before some surgery. First game I opened and could literally have been out every ball before getting bowled by the 6th, and second game rained off

 

[Audax]

Yep, this is usually for cup (20/20 or 50 over), or the win/lose games in the league season (50 over usually). The season is often split into two halves, win/lose and then win/lose/draw format game. E.g. 110 overs in a day and the team batting first can use up 58 of those if they choose to, or declare, get bowled out etc.

Would be good if they standardised it, IMO. Uckfield 2nds last year it was win/lose 40 overs a side for the whole season. But we're pretty low down the ladder. Never did like the win/lose/draw format back when I played with Laughton. Generated some deadly boring games with the side batting second knowing from very early on they were playing for a draw. Even had some sides that turned up and played for a draw from before the first ball was even bowled.

 

[Badger]

Such a lovely ground. I wonder if Stan Speigel (sp?) will still be playing!

The first time I played there, I saw his bowling and thought "I'll have some of that". Charged down the track... OUT Stumped.

 

[METALMICKY]

Would be good if they standardised it, IMO. Uckfield 2nds last year it was win/lose 40 overs a side for the whole season. But we're pretty low down the ladder. Never did like the win/lose/draw format back when I played with Laughton. Generated some deadly boring games with the side batting second knowing from very early on they were playing for a draw. Even had some sides that turned up and played for a draw from before the first ball was even bowled.

Absolutely this. Steaming hot day and you fielded second and you just knew it was going to be a draw. Was always a decent tea at Laughton

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

The first time I played there, I saw his bowling and thought "I'll have some of that". Charged down the track... OUT Stumped.

me too! tried to hit him into the garden

 

[dazzer6666]

As a non-cricketerist, I have a question for those that do play. And the question is this;

One Saturday afternoon last summer, I walked past the cricket ground in my local town whilst a match was in full swing. The fielding side were wearing bright yellow 'cricket whites' whilst the batsmen were wearing maroon. Obviously, I'm aware this is how the professional game has gone, but are 'team strips / colours' a thing even at local level now?

If so, it seems a shame. There's something very timeless and classy about proper cricket whites, regardless of the level / standard.

All the clubs round here have separate (gaudy) kits for the ‘Sussex Slam’ tournament……..and crappy contrived names, obvs.

THE SLAM

The Slam is a different brand of recreational, short-form cricket with 324 teams taking part across 3 counties. Click on the logo of the county that applies to you to find out more:

www.slamcricket.co.uk

 

[Ali_rrr]

Love this thread!

First game of the season for me tomorrow as we Hercules take on Voorburg. We’ve taken the step to go partially semi pro (some players being paid, others given reimbursements, sponsors) and it’s a massive workload. Got two lads over from New Zealand and one broke his hand on the first game so that’s been a nightmare.

If anyone fancies a tour to The Netherlands this season or next, we have plenty of teams for different level of abilities and we’re hoping to start a youth section this year.

Anyone is interested, give us a follow on instagram @hercules_cricket

If the name rings a bell, it’s because the football side (also semi pro) beat Ajax in the Dutch cup this year.

 

[Shins]

Would be good if they standardised it, IMO. Uckfield 2nds last year it was win/lose 40 overs a side for the whole season. But we're pretty low down the ladder. Never did like the win/lose/draw format back when I played with Laughton. Generated some deadly boring games with the side batting second knowing from very early on they were playing for a draw. Even had some sides that turned up and played for a draw from before the first ball was even bowled.

Tbh I really like it. It is definitely very frustrating at times and have been on either end of it. But I think it brings out skills in players that you wouldn't otherwise see or even know you had.

Blocking out against a bunch of 30 year olds for 10 overs as a 14 year old being called this that and the other, or trying to bowl someone out with no intent on a flat dry pitch. These are all things that set you apart if you can do it, and is exactly what the current set doesn't allow for in county championship cricket. It's why someone at 75mph averaging 20 won't get picked over a 85mph averaging 30. Also why the kookaburra ball was a very good indicator of skill.

Long story short is it's frustrating at league level but a good thing, I think.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Only white kit allowed in our leagues. You might see some coloured kits in the evening leagues - but they are not terribly serious.

Nobody should be wearing a dark kit in a game played with a proper red cricket ball - you need to be able to SEE the thing. If someone ran in to bowl at me with a red ball, wearing a maroon shirt, I'd stop the game and insist the umpire ask him to change it.

Up here, Shrops Prem and Brum league play in coloured kit but with a white ball and black sight-screens.

My county u14s play in coloured kit with a white ball but the u13s also play in coloured kit but with a pink ball.

Personally, I find the pink ball the best for visibility but I'm not that keen on playing in pyjamas.

 

[Gwylan]

Played at Lewes Priory's ground a few years back (my last full season with Laughton in 2015). Was the scene of the one and only 6 I've ever hit in my outdoor cricket career. But what a 6 it was - sent a low full toss on leg stump clean over the trees at midwicket and a replacement ball was immediately sourced. Remains my top score, and by quite a margin (70*, my only 50+ score).

I'm a Lewes Priory member and I can confirm that we lose a lot of balls over that boundary. I shudder to think how many we'd lose if Fignon's Ponytail's lad was still playing for us . I always make sure I'm bowling from the Lewes end when I turn my arm over.

Interesting question about the coloured clothing. Lewes Priory went to all-black kit a couple of years ago. Something that was pushed by the women/girl members who, for obvious reasons, were unhappy with white kit. The boys teams adopted it too and the adults are encouraged to wear it. I'm still in whites though. I'm probably in my last couple of years before retirement and it's not worth buying another set of clothes for just a few games. I'm sure we'll be in all-black throughout the club once my generation leave

 

[Simster]

Spent many years playing away at Rottingdean blocking or trying to smash the floating leggies of the sadly also departed actor Michael Jayston

I made my finest ever innings at Rottingdean when I was 14. Came in at 5 for 3 playing for St .James" (a club between Keymer and Ditchling), and scored 53 before being bowled last ball of the 20 overs when we were 78/8. I then took FOUR catches in the field.

I was then pushed up the order to opening bat where I doubt I scored 53 in total for the next season and a half.