18, never played properly before, where to start?

[Evilpengwinz]

First post on here

I'm 18 (19 in October), and I'm wondering how I can get involved in cricket, having never been involved in a proper match before.

As a child, I was incredibly good at maths, and both of my parents hated sport, which meant that I brainwashed into thinking that all that mattered was growing up, getting good grades, becoming an accountant or something, going to work and getting lots of money. I was never told anything about sport, other than "You won't like it", and "It's just people chasing a ball around for hours".

Somewhere along the line, I stopped listening to people telling me "You won't like cricket, it's boring", and decided to find out for myself. I turned the telly on just in time to watch England get bowled out for 51 by the West Indies, and I've been hooked ever since.

Since then, I've picked up a bat, a set of stumps, some second hand equipment, and I've been playing in the park with a couple of lads from school since last summer. My huge repertoire of shots includes a forward defence, and... well, that's it, really. If that wasn't bad enough, my bowling is nearly as bad as Mitchell Johnson. I would like to play a proper cricket match sometime. However, I don't know how good I need to be to get into a local team's 2nd XI or something. I'm also scared of turning up for a trial or net practice or something, being really crap, and being told to GTFO.

If I want to play, am I just allowed to turn up to a random net practice somewhere with a bat, or is there some kind of procedure that I'll have to go through first?

Is there a possibility that I'll be too rubbish to ever play for a team?

What could I realistically expect to achieve?

Please help,
Cheers.

[Coach_Pearson]

Hi Evilpengwinz,

Your best bet is to find a local cricket club, and give them a call first.

No local club will turn away another player, as we all need as many as we can get.

Club usually have coaches, and plenty of seniors players who can really improve your game.

[Jager]

You could have a look for a local club on the internet or ask around for some advice from your cricket-playing friends so that you could find your way in (that's what I would do).

I too had the problem of being an extremely defensive player when I started. Now, I attack every ball possible and have way more fun. Just don't take things too seriously, enjoy yourself.

[Evilpengwinz]

Thanks for the replies

[Hurricane]

Go to a club which has a team playing social cricket. We have leagues in NZ where people don't bother to wear whites. I would recommend that level for your first year or two. If you practice 3 or 4 times a week you can graduate to the next level up. Don't be put off by playing social cricket - each team will have 3 or 4 good players who really belong in a higher division who will give you a good work out and will probably get you out in your first few games.

[Neil Pickup]

Does Swindon mean Swindon, East Wiltshire or West Oxfordshire?

I know the club scene down here very well and I can probably pick somewhere out for you (on our side of the border at least).

[Evilpengwinz]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

Does Swindon mean Swindon, East Wiltshire or West Oxfordshire?

I know the club scene down here very well and I can probably pick somewhere out for you (on our side of the border at least).

Yep, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Thanks

[Manee]

I think a few people will envy the position that you are in. Most people pick up cricket at a younger age and so have bodies which are pretty worn-down because of playing when the body is growing and techniques which have poor habits from when you are young. As someone starting at 18, you know what is good and what isn't and so could really make rapid strides to becoming a good cricketer. Don't look at it (starting late) as a hindrance but more a blessing.

[Evilpengwinz]

Originally Posted by Manee

I think a few people will envy the position that you are in. Most people pick up cricket at a younger age and so have bodies which are pretty worn-down because of playing when the body is growing and techniques which have poor habits from when you are young. As someone starting at 18, you know what is good and what isn't and so could really make rapid strides to becoming a good cricketer. Don't look at it (starting late) as a hindrance but more a blessing.

That's a good point, I'd never thought of it like that.

[Neil Pickup]

Originally Posted by Evilpengwinz

Yep, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Thanks

The obvious one that springs to mind (obviously with a bias towards the Oxfordshire side of the border) is Shrivenham CC.

Shrivenham CC - Play-Cricket -

[Evilpengwinz]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

The obvious one that springs to mind (obviously with a bias towards the Oxfordshire side of the border) is Shrivenham CC.

Shrivenham CC - Play-Cricket -

Cheers mate, will have a look in the next couple of days when I get some time.