Should I follow my dreams?

[slowfinger]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

There are no tricks to getting it to spin more. murali teaches people finger strengthening exercises but I would be surprised if they helped much. You are either a big spinner of the ball through god's gift or you are not.

I can tell you how to be a mediocre turner of the ball instead of a small spinner of the ball. The trick is to impart spin with your thumb as well as your index finger. This will give you an extra degree or two of spin. But you will not become graham swann. I suggest you work on your technique to enhance your array of strokes as a batsman so you can score quicker - who cares about big hits. Kane Williamson doesn't seem to be a big hitter of the ball and it isn't holding him back. I haven't hit any sixes in 4 years and I don't lose sleep over it.

I mean you can still smoke a 4 can't you. We are just talking about you going downtown?

Also if I am following this thread properly - you aren't even getting regular game time with your club. I think your priority should be becoming a top order batsman for them rather than the county team.

Final advice - when I was 18 I was pretty scrawny but I smoked a few sixes here and there. The key is to practice hitting it for six in front of the mirror. You can tell from the feel of your swing whether the ball would go for six or not if it was in a game. Keep refining your swing and coaching yourself until you have a powerful swing. Then you can hit sixes.
(Just be careful not to follow through and hit the ceiling or the wall).

Thanks, Yeah the problem is my team is 90% county so to be a player in my club I need to get into county

Literally though, it has become an unhealthy obsession and I really won't rest until I achieve it.

As for my role to the team, I'd like to be known as a bowling all-rounder. A specialist bowler who can take wickets and a batsman who doesn't get out. I play wristy shots and my off-spinners skid on, if I can hit a few degrees and get a good L+L going I reckon I'd be a great addition, as I can think batsmen out pretty well

[slowfinger]

If anyone cares... Didn't get selected this year again... Starting to fade...

[edynamo]

Which club do you play for?

[Goughy]

Passion and determination are a given. You need at least one of the following to get to the next level. Have two and you are laughing. All three and you are Michael Vaughan as a junior:

- Prolific
- Unique
- Connected

[slowfinger]

Originally Posted by Goughy

Passion and determination are a given. You need at least one of the following to get to the next level. Have two and you are laughing. All three and you are Michael Vaughan as a junior:

- Prolific
- Unique
- Connected

Looks like the 1st and 3rd options stand out... My bowling is fairly orthodox.


Update: Got selected to join Worcester's 'Satellite' spin academy sessions. Will be taking valuable lessons and hopefully impressing. Cricket in full flow, determination to the next gear!

[uvelocity]

just have fun eh

[slowfinger]

Really going for it this year, 6th or 7th year of district and I'm tired. I just want to start playing county cricket and will be working hard to get there. Would you guys like to see a diary sort of thing to see my progress or...?

[Neil Pickup]

Just join in with the "Your Cricket Season" blog/chat thread. There's plenty of us talking playing/coaching and writing about your game often helps you think about things.

[ClubCricketer]

Originally Posted by slowfinger

Really going for it this year, 6th or 7th year of district and I'm tired. I just want to start playing county cricket and will be working hard to get there. Would you guys like to see a diary sort of thing to see my progress or...?

You said earlier in this thread you had determination and passion so I am bit worried by the comment you're 'tired'. Not sure if you mean physically tired? Tired of trying?

Cricket is full of examples of guys who have been overlooked for years and years but have kept playing, enjoying their cricket, and working to get better. Think of Mike Hussey and Darren Lehmann for Australia who both had something like 10,000 runs in Sheffield Shield Cricket under their belt before they got a start with Australia. I am sure others on this thread could tell you examples from other countries as well.

And then there's Bryce McGain. He was told he wasn't even good enough for club cricket but actually played a test for Australia (he only played one and got smashed around a bit, but he still achieved something all of us could only dream about). Read this article bryce mcgain | cricket with balls for some inspiration. And he has played for his state for many years.

The bottom line is if you believe you are good enough for county cricket then keep working to make it. You will get knock backs, you might be told you aren't good enough, and it will be hard work. But none of that should bother you if you really want to make it. All you need to worry about is enjoying your cricket and being the best player you can be. Do that and you'll give yourself the best chance to reach your goal.

Goood luck for the coming season.

[slowfinger]

Originally Posted by ClubCricketer

You said earlier in this thread you had determination and passion so I am bit worried by the comment you're 'tired'. Not sure if you mean physically tired? Tired of trying?

Cricket is full of examples of guys who have been overlooked for years and years but have kept playing, enjoying their cricket, and working to get better. Think of Mike Hussey and Darren Lehmann for Australia who both had something like 10,000 runs in Sheffield Shield Cricket under their belt before they got a start with Australia. I am sure others on this thread could tell you examples from other countries as well.

And then there's Bryce McGain. He was told he wasn't even good enough for club cricket but actually played a test for Australia (he only played one and got smashed around a bit, but he still achieved something all of us could only dream about). Read this article bryce mcgain | cricket with balls for some inspiration. And he has played for his state for many years.

The bottom line is if you believe you are good enough for county cricket then keep working to make it. You will get knock backs, you might be told you aren't good enough, and it will be hard work. But none of that should bother you if you really want to make it. All you need to worry about is enjoying your cricket and being the best player you can be. Do that and you'll give yourself the best chance to reach your goal.

Goood luck for the coming season.

Thanks man, I was just a tad annoyed when I said 'tired', no, not at all tired! You are completely right, not time to give up, time to get going, thanks!