Playing Cricket Again: Part One (The Plan)

I wrote recently about my new cricket bat and commented that I was thinking of playing cricket again.

I couldn’t have picked a worse time really as Club Cricket has only just started again and who knows for how long it will be allowed. I am not sure if it is fair (or allowed) to go and look at clubs and what I really need is to attend a few nets and training sessions and see if the old body has enough in it to give it a go – and I imagine this is pretty much the last thing clubs want people doing at the moment.

The Cons

It is without doubt a pretty mad idea: I am 57, have not played cricket for 32 years, have a chronic issue with my neck and shoulder and have had 5 operations on my left knee.

I am not exactly short of things to do (well in a normal non COVID-19 world that is) and Manchester United, Yorkshire CCC and Warwickshire CCC take up a fair few weekend days, especially when add in England Test and ODI’s.

The Pros

I am pretty fit, but not as fit as I could (or should) be, but I have always struggled to motivate myself when not to play a sport or play a sport better. I am a little overweight but not in the unhealthy bracket and all my clothes fit (even suits that I was wearing when I was in my 30’s!).

I would like to take part in some team sport/training again, and having just moved into the area (well 18 months ago) it would be a good opportunity to meet some local people (although that does depend on which club – see below).

After a lifetime moving from one place to another I like the idea of being involved with a few things for a long time.

The Club

I am a little torn between trying to rejoin one of my old clubs (which are over half an hour away) or a local club. I have looked at their web sites and all seem to have a old mans team that I could look to play in.

Ideally I need someone to throw a few balls at me (if I can borrow some kit) and put me through some fielding drills. I reckon batting and fielding would be OK but probably give the old off spin a miss with my shoulder.

The Kit

Now I have to confess I like a good bit of kit, but even I am a little unsure about the current fad of selecting a brand and a product range and co-ordinating the whole outfit, but in for a penny in for a pound.

There are a multitude of new brands (well new to me) and I don’t know enough really to say which would be better, but for the sake of working out a guideline budget I have picked Kookaburra, and specifically the Kahuna Range.

• Bat: 4.1 Long Handle 2lb 8oz £143.99 * I wouldn’t use my new bat as that is really a piece of art!!!
• Gloves: 3.1 Large £39.99
• Pads: 3.1 Large £51.99
• Shoes KC 2.0 Spike Size 10 £47.99
• Bag: D3 Duffle Black/Lime £39.99
• Helmet: Shrey Armor Mild Steel XL Navy £54.99
• Neck Guard: Shrey 2.0 Large £14.99
• Shock Jock Compression Shorts With Cup XL £34.99
• Kookaburra Pro Guard 500 Large £29.50

Tempting as it is to go “top of the range” my guess is that I wouldn’t need pro level protection. For example a Titanium helmet probably essential for a 90mph+ ball and when worn for a whole day, but my guess is that 20 minutes against a fellow semi-geriatric would be covered by some lower range products!

Still am looking at £458.92 and that is before any whites (which I think can now be bought from most clubs with the club logo etc), and assuming that I haven’t forgotten anything.

If I did buy matching Kookaburra Shirt £18.99, Trousers £18.99 and a couple of plain sweaters (£27.99 and £26.50) I am looking at £551.39. Not an insignificant amount but I confess far less than I thought before I started looking at prices. I think I paid more for some of my stuff 35 years ago!?

Of course £551.39 for one practise session or one game would be a tad excessive (OK plain stupid) but if I could get 7 seasons out of the old body at say 12 games a season that would be £6.56 a game.

And Sands, just think how much enjoyment I will get out of it all ……

What Next

Have sent a few emails off to start the discussions and see what the options are.

In the meantime I have started shadow batting in the Summer House and going through the motions of throwing a ball – I would throw one for our dogs but they have zero interest in chasing one never mind fetching one back.

Will keep you posted as I am sure you are all on the edge of your seats now ….