Hi all
It's been a long time since I posted but that's because of me not playing any games for a long time now. I didn't update on my last 2 day game before this big break. My team won by an innings - I got 2-23 from 9 overs and 2-30 from 6. I felt in the worse form in that game of this year. I guess it was due, as I started my season since late last year by practicing.
Anyhow, after that, it has been six weeks a few days back with me going game-less! In all fairness, the break was kinda good; had time to reflect on where I went wrong and what I thought might have been some of the problems. I found a few - not so comfortable of a run up, had a minor error in my wrist position and that I can lose momentum when fielding in lonesome positions like the outfield where it's not vibrant which leads me to lose concentration and hype.
Anyhow, I played a friendly game a few days ago and got 4-29 from 5 overs. The boundaries straight back were very short, about 30 odd metres so I concentrated on a length and back as it was better to bowl short than full on this ground so I bowled faster as well. I got the first wicket with a faster ball that went between bat and pad - bowled a series of turning leg breaks before that. Next one fell to a slower leggie and got caught at point trying to play through the leg side. Third one went bowl to a short one that jumped and hit the guy on his elbow then onto the stumps - I got lucky there! Last one went lbw to another faster ball, this time in the black hole.
I had a bat, opened and made two. Got drop very first ball pulling a short one to deep square - it was completely mis timed and the surface was very slow. I got dropped on 2 pulling one outside off but it was to hard for the bowler to hold onto to. I got run out soon after that!
We then went and played an 11 over game, everyone had to bowl. I got 2-11. I bowled off breaks in that over and I bowled a guy with a big turning off break.
Anyhow, I had a 2020 game yesterday. My side batted first and got 208. I came at 6 and made 19, hitting one six and one four. The pitch was ridiculously slow and so were the bowlers and I mis-timed almost all of the balls I played big shots after. We dismissed the side for less than a hundred so it was a big win and we are onto the semi finals for this coming weekend.
I bowled 2 overs and got 2-13. Bowled the first over very well, landing the leg breaks dead on target and picked up a wicket first ball. I was fooling around with the batsmen a bit second over and paid for that - definitely learned a lesson there about bowling. My first two balls, I looped them but went back serious and bowled dot balls the last four deliveries.
All in all, I am batting much better these days but finding it tough on the very slow wickets. My leg breaks felt good yesterday so I am looking forward to these future games this season.
I got two 2020 games left in one competition, five 2-day games in another which sadly will meet up on the remaining 2020 games. I love 2-day cricket more but will play the 2020 as that's my home town and I want to help my side win the cup. After the remaining five 2-day games of the national first division competition back here, there will be the national 2020 competition, which involves teams from the premier and first division so I'll be meeting up on some of the best players in the country.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Wickets, wickets, wickets, but at a cost
Hello viewers.
I played another game this weekend (two day game) which was my third for the season. I had a lot of positives from this game but some disappointments as well. I arrived an hour and a half late for the game due to road works. It was the first time I've ever been late for a cricket game but that wasn't one of my disappointments.
Anyhow, my side won the toss and batted first. We got about 170 with me making 1 off 3 balls. I played a defensive push to a good length ball that came on much slower than I expected and it popped up to mid off - guess it shows how hard I can go at the ball. Anyhow, the team got about 230 with me claiming my career best figures of 7-79. It came off 16 overs so that was expensive and I have to work on that. I did bowl a lot of troubling balls, some that pitched on the stumps and spun way outside off. I beat the bat a lot for the game.
I got the first wicket caught behind to a nice flighted delivery that turned a bit. The second one got stumped coming down to a flighted one that spun a bit outside off. Third one got lbw to a full toss so I was lucky and the fourth fell in a quite similar fashion, only that his hit him quite low down on the pad. I went to lunch on day two with 4 wickets and came back out energized and got one straight away, caught and bowled. I got the sixth one stumped to a magnificent leggie that pitched on leg and spun a feet odd and he dragged his backfoot out. The last one got stump trying to hit one that turned and he dragged his foot out as well.
Our team then went in and made about 180 setting the team about 120 to win. I got 8 in the second innings. I did hit one four and was batting well but got cleaned up to an inswinging yorker at good pace. The team lost 7 wickets in the run chase but didn't get 100 runs either but they still won first innings points. I got 2-18 from 5 overs. Got two lbw but I bowled bad in that second innings. If I didn't have a sweeper on the cover boundary, I would have gone for many runs.
Anyhow, I guess accuracy can always be worked on and a few veteran guys commented on my bowling. One said I just need to practice more and land the flighted ones more. The other said "you're ah nice lil spinner, you're bowling good". I am also pleased about my consistency with fizzing the ball. Anyhow, it's time I get a good score with the bat for my team and also to improve on my economy rate. Funny enough, I got the same figures of 9-97 in my last two games. Anyhow, I'm currently on 19 wickets from 3 games.
Bye until next time.
I played another game this weekend (two day game) which was my third for the season. I had a lot of positives from this game but some disappointments as well. I arrived an hour and a half late for the game due to road works. It was the first time I've ever been late for a cricket game but that wasn't one of my disappointments.
Anyhow, my side won the toss and batted first. We got about 170 with me making 1 off 3 balls. I played a defensive push to a good length ball that came on much slower than I expected and it popped up to mid off - guess it shows how hard I can go at the ball. Anyhow, the team got about 230 with me claiming my career best figures of 7-79. It came off 16 overs so that was expensive and I have to work on that. I did bowl a lot of troubling balls, some that pitched on the stumps and spun way outside off. I beat the bat a lot for the game.
I got the first wicket caught behind to a nice flighted delivery that turned a bit. The second one got stumped coming down to a flighted one that spun a bit outside off. Third one got lbw to a full toss so I was lucky and the fourth fell in a quite similar fashion, only that his hit him quite low down on the pad. I went to lunch on day two with 4 wickets and came back out energized and got one straight away, caught and bowled. I got the sixth one stumped to a magnificent leggie that pitched on leg and spun a feet odd and he dragged his backfoot out. The last one got stump trying to hit one that turned and he dragged his foot out as well.
Our team then went in and made about 180 setting the team about 120 to win. I got 8 in the second innings. I did hit one four and was batting well but got cleaned up to an inswinging yorker at good pace. The team lost 7 wickets in the run chase but didn't get 100 runs either but they still won first innings points. I got 2-18 from 5 overs. Got two lbw but I bowled bad in that second innings. If I didn't have a sweeper on the cover boundary, I would have gone for many runs.
Anyhow, I guess accuracy can always be worked on and a few veteran guys commented on my bowling. One said I just need to practice more and land the flighted ones more. The other said "you're ah nice lil spinner, you're bowling good". I am also pleased about my consistency with fizzing the ball. Anyhow, it's time I get a good score with the bat for my team and also to improve on my economy rate. Funny enough, I got the same figures of 9-97 in my last two games. Anyhow, I'm currently on 19 wickets from 3 games.
Bye until next time.
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Best figures ever
Last blog, I said I was gonna write part 2 of the u19 tour of Grenada but I haven't been on the net much of late and feel kinda lazy to type as well. Anyhow, basically, when we were not playing or in other words, not on the playing ground, it was loads of fun! The team was really together as some of us use to be in the pool together; other times, one room use to have in most of the team watching tv together - the team was put in 4 rooms! Things was very good and the room mates use to by food for their respective rooms and other room members use to come and eat so that was signs of an excellent team and I guess that's why we won in the end! Anyhow, we had some very funny lads on tour and that made it very enjoyable and I won't ever forget my first ever tour!
Anyhow, I played my second club game of the local national competition. My first game, we lost first innings but draw the game still. I made 39 not out and struck 5 fours and 1 six. I felt in good touch that game. I got 1 wicket for 35 runs though of 5 overs. The batsmen were slogging but I flighted one too many and paid for doing that on small boundaries.
Anyhow, I played another two day game this weekend and helped my team to an outright victory! We batted first and made 220 and I got 7 not out - struck a lucky six! Anyhow, we dismissed the opposition for 93. I bowled in tandem with the skipper who bowls left arm orthodox spin and we shared 9 wickets. I bowled 5 overs, 4 wickets for 23 runs. I got one caught and bowled, the second got caught at deep covers trying to launch me out the park, the third was lbw to his first ball so I was on a hat trick, the fourth one got stump from one that turned and bounced.
We enforced the follow on and we then dismissed them for 222. I took 5-73 from 13 overs! I got my first wicket well planned out - went around the wicket and spun them into him sharply and then tossed one up and he hit me for six then I gave him the googly and had him drawn forward and stumped. The second one was caught at short fine leg off a full toss so I was lucky there! Third one was a beauty - the batter already smashed me for six so I bowled a bit flatter and on the stumps so he went back and was defending the turn late so I put in a quicker back spinner and it hit his pad then stump and his bat came down very late as he was beaten for pace. The fourth wicket was stumped to a slower leg break that dipped and turn and draw him out of his crease. My fifth wicket was bowled between his bat and pad to a leggy that pitched about 6 inch outside leg and bowled him on middle.
I was definitely expensive in my second innings but I got wickets and that's what I see myself as, a wicket taker but I deliberately tossed up the ball to try and buy some more wickets as I going economically before I had a wicket! Anyhow, this wicket definitely suited my bowling and if I didn't do well here, I don't think I could have done well anywhere else. The wicket was biting and with my ability to spin the ball on any surface, it was all good for me. I darted in some balls that spun past the bat and then slowed up some and also pitching up some for drives. I didn't bowl a slider all game and bowled just 3 googlies, three faster balls and about 3 top spinners - the leggies were doing the job!!
Anyhow, I'm very pleased about my performance as I didn't bowl a hard ball for about 8 days prior to this game. My first two overs today wasn't that good but things went well after that and I didn't look back and took 8 wickets today. If I had gotten another wicket, I would have got 10 and thus making me get 100 EC dollars from the cricket association!
17 overs, 96 runs and 9 wickets, my best figures ever and my first fifer in club cricket - 'tis my second season and my fifth game!
Anyhow, I played my second club game of the local national competition. My first game, we lost first innings but draw the game still. I made 39 not out and struck 5 fours and 1 six. I felt in good touch that game. I got 1 wicket for 35 runs though of 5 overs. The batsmen were slogging but I flighted one too many and paid for doing that on small boundaries.
Anyhow, I played another two day game this weekend and helped my team to an outright victory! We batted first and made 220 and I got 7 not out - struck a lucky six! Anyhow, we dismissed the opposition for 93. I bowled in tandem with the skipper who bowls left arm orthodox spin and we shared 9 wickets. I bowled 5 overs, 4 wickets for 23 runs. I got one caught and bowled, the second got caught at deep covers trying to launch me out the park, the third was lbw to his first ball so I was on a hat trick, the fourth one got stump from one that turned and bounced.
We enforced the follow on and we then dismissed them for 222. I took 5-73 from 13 overs! I got my first wicket well planned out - went around the wicket and spun them into him sharply and then tossed one up and he hit me for six then I gave him the googly and had him drawn forward and stumped. The second one was caught at short fine leg off a full toss so I was lucky there! Third one was a beauty - the batter already smashed me for six so I bowled a bit flatter and on the stumps so he went back and was defending the turn late so I put in a quicker back spinner and it hit his pad then stump and his bat came down very late as he was beaten for pace. The fourth wicket was stumped to a slower leg break that dipped and turn and draw him out of his crease. My fifth wicket was bowled between his bat and pad to a leggy that pitched about 6 inch outside leg and bowled him on middle.
I was definitely expensive in my second innings but I got wickets and that's what I see myself as, a wicket taker but I deliberately tossed up the ball to try and buy some more wickets as I going economically before I had a wicket! Anyhow, this wicket definitely suited my bowling and if I didn't do well here, I don't think I could have done well anywhere else. The wicket was biting and with my ability to spin the ball on any surface, it was all good for me. I darted in some balls that spun past the bat and then slowed up some and also pitching up some for drives. I didn't bowl a slider all game and bowled just 3 googlies, three faster balls and about 3 top spinners - the leggies were doing the job!!
Anyhow, I'm very pleased about my performance as I didn't bowl a hard ball for about 8 days prior to this game. My first two overs today wasn't that good but things went well after that and I didn't look back and took 8 wickets today. If I had gotten another wicket, I would have got 10 and thus making me get 100 EC dollars from the cricket association!
17 overs, 96 runs and 9 wickets, my best figures ever and my first fifer in club cricket - 'tis my second season and my fifth game!
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
U19 in Grenada - part 1
Hello folks! I know I'm late with an update to my blog. My trip to Grenada was packed with fun so it may take about two blogs to cover. One about the game and the other about other stuff. Also, this was my first time ever representing my country in cricket and hopefully, it won't be the last.
About the games now. Our first game was against St. Lucia - I was left out of the starting xi. They won the toss and sent us in to bat on quite a good looking track. It was hardish and had some pace in it. We didn't bat too well in that game, being dismissed very cheaply for about 150 odd. At one point we were about 50 for 5. Thanks to our skipper Cottoy, and our youngster member of the squad, Ambria, who by the way looks an enormous prospect for West Indies in the future. The skippper got 46 and Ambris made a flairy and mature 27. The Lucian spinners did the damage against us and Ambris went down the track to his first ball of his innings and smacked it for one bounce into the boundary. In another overs time, the field was spread for him. He caressed a ball through covers and he really looked like a little master at the crease. His innings came to an end being out caught deep on the square leg boundary, trying to flick one but his counter attacking was quite sublime to watch.
Anyhow, we were on fire with the ball. Windies u19 pacer Johnson roughed up the Lucian batsmen with pace and hostility as the pitch had juice in it. Williams did the damage by taking 4 wickets, as he too bowled with good pace and hostility. Our bowlers was took quick for the Lucian batsmen and our skipper then came on and took 3 quick wickets to dismiss St. lucia for 88.
In our second dig at the crease, we got about 116-7 dec. We got off to another bad start but our number three bat, Small, made 54. It was a very important knock as he batted for a long time. Williams also chipped in with an unbeaten 30 odd. With the ball now, the first innings tactics didn't work this time around as the pitch had lost it's life from day one. The pitch got slow very quickly. At one point, the boys lossed all intensity that they showed and looked very flat on the field. The skipper got a break through at a point were the game looked to be heading for a definite draw but that sparked some life into the boys and triggered a collapse. One wicket was needed off the last over of the day but the Lucians survived and the game ended in a draw but we got first innings points.
Our second game was against Grenada and I got included in the xi this time. We lost the toss again and was sent in to bat, again! It seems like all the tracks in Grenada looks bowling friendly at the start, as this one was a hard turf wicket which was grassed quite well. Things certainly wasn't going our way this game as five of our guys got bad decision but hey, that's cricket! We were dismissed for 170 I think with Walters making a valuable 46. I was the last man in and I got a duck facing three balls. I saw the ball very well which was kinda surprising but got out trying to cut a ball to close to my body which only got the gloves on it's way through.
Things weren't good for us with the ball on day one. We only got one wicket with the new ball and the second wicket partnership was getting frustrating for our side because our total was small. I came into the attack, probably as the fifth bowler and my first ball wasn't good. Second was ok but third got hit for a six, a low full toss. I got the break through with my fourth - a faster top spinner to a lefty who got caught behind. I was tossing them up and got punished for doing that as about 29 runs came off my first three overs but the captain persisted with me as there was some bad fielding off my bowling too. Anyhow, I got another break through in my fifth over. I got the centurian from Grenada's previous game. I got him caught and bowled with a nicely flighted leggy. I had some bad luck after that - had a right hander plumb lbw. The guy in slip was very frustrated at it. Few overs later, I had a chance for stumping that I couldn't see if it was out or not but all the guys from my team who saw it said he was out and I could have seen it from the keepers reaction when the umpire didn't send it!
Grenada finished the day on 153-3. That was my debut game and I finished with 10.0.47.2 wickets, being the most successful bowler for my team and I felt good to break the partnership and bring them back in the game, despite being a bit costly with my economy rate although Grenada were scoring at 4 an over as well. Anyhow, day two came and I got no bowl! The skipper who bowls very good leggies took 4 wickets and all the other bowlers who bowled kept it tight so Grenada had only about an 80 runs lead. We went in to bat and finished the day on 201-3 with Small making 83 runs. Thomas, our opener got 49 and the other, Harper, got 46 and everyone else got starts who batted. So, that was a drawn game and good fight back by us after a bad first day. Grenada got first innings points.
Dominica was our third game and the trophy was up for grabs between us. We were both on 12 points. I was included again in the final xi. Dominica won the toss and batted - our skipper is very bad lucked with the toss it seems. Anyhow, our ace fast bowler Johnson ripped apart their batting by taking 5 wickets. I bowled 5.0.22.0. My first four overs were good but messed it up in the last over, although I wasn't that threatening in my five overs. With our turn to bat, we ended up with a lead of about 50. Our skipper came to our rescue as we went into trouble again with the bat. He made 56 and I had a good 9th wicket stand of about 20 with him, although I remained on duck not out. The number 11 faced two balls and got a duck. I was just planning on going berserk the next time I got strike.
Dominica did better with the second dig at the crease. They got about 200 runs I think with a member of the Windies u15 side, Hodge, making 82. He played very well. I bowled 6.0.22.0. It was an okay bowling performance but again, I wasn't threatening in this innings. Anyhow, we were set about 170 odd to win and had enough time and we batted cautiously at first then started to excellerate. We wanted about 5 per over going into the last 10 with 7 wickets in hand so we decided to go after it and that we did. We last wickets regularly and the game started to get tense. The skipper was there yet again and saw us home. A boy who got called up as a replacement hit a late cut for four to win the championship for us.
We got jubilant and went right on to the field. Celebrations and picture taking started. Our last game was an ODI game against St. Lucia. I didn't play but we won the game quite comfortably in the end. We got 236 from the alloted overs and Johnson hit a ball right out of the park - the biggest hit of the tournament. St. Lucia got about 160 odd and the skipper did the damage by claiming 3 wickets. He varied his pace very well in this game and his accuracy is superb.
That's it for the games, look out for blog two for more on my great time in Grenada.
About the games now. Our first game was against St. Lucia - I was left out of the starting xi. They won the toss and sent us in to bat on quite a good looking track. It was hardish and had some pace in it. We didn't bat too well in that game, being dismissed very cheaply for about 150 odd. At one point we were about 50 for 5. Thanks to our skipper Cottoy, and our youngster member of the squad, Ambria, who by the way looks an enormous prospect for West Indies in the future. The skippper got 46 and Ambris made a flairy and mature 27. The Lucian spinners did the damage against us and Ambris went down the track to his first ball of his innings and smacked it for one bounce into the boundary. In another overs time, the field was spread for him. He caressed a ball through covers and he really looked like a little master at the crease. His innings came to an end being out caught deep on the square leg boundary, trying to flick one but his counter attacking was quite sublime to watch.
Anyhow, we were on fire with the ball. Windies u19 pacer Johnson roughed up the Lucian batsmen with pace and hostility as the pitch had juice in it. Williams did the damage by taking 4 wickets, as he too bowled with good pace and hostility. Our bowlers was took quick for the Lucian batsmen and our skipper then came on and took 3 quick wickets to dismiss St. lucia for 88.
In our second dig at the crease, we got about 116-7 dec. We got off to another bad start but our number three bat, Small, made 54. It was a very important knock as he batted for a long time. Williams also chipped in with an unbeaten 30 odd. With the ball now, the first innings tactics didn't work this time around as the pitch had lost it's life from day one. The pitch got slow very quickly. At one point, the boys lossed all intensity that they showed and looked very flat on the field. The skipper got a break through at a point were the game looked to be heading for a definite draw but that sparked some life into the boys and triggered a collapse. One wicket was needed off the last over of the day but the Lucians survived and the game ended in a draw but we got first innings points.
Our second game was against Grenada and I got included in the xi this time. We lost the toss again and was sent in to bat, again! It seems like all the tracks in Grenada looks bowling friendly at the start, as this one was a hard turf wicket which was grassed quite well. Things certainly wasn't going our way this game as five of our guys got bad decision but hey, that's cricket! We were dismissed for 170 I think with Walters making a valuable 46. I was the last man in and I got a duck facing three balls. I saw the ball very well which was kinda surprising but got out trying to cut a ball to close to my body which only got the gloves on it's way through.
Things weren't good for us with the ball on day one. We only got one wicket with the new ball and the second wicket partnership was getting frustrating for our side because our total was small. I came into the attack, probably as the fifth bowler and my first ball wasn't good. Second was ok but third got hit for a six, a low full toss. I got the break through with my fourth - a faster top spinner to a lefty who got caught behind. I was tossing them up and got punished for doing that as about 29 runs came off my first three overs but the captain persisted with me as there was some bad fielding off my bowling too. Anyhow, I got another break through in my fifth over. I got the centurian from Grenada's previous game. I got him caught and bowled with a nicely flighted leggy. I had some bad luck after that - had a right hander plumb lbw. The guy in slip was very frustrated at it. Few overs later, I had a chance for stumping that I couldn't see if it was out or not but all the guys from my team who saw it said he was out and I could have seen it from the keepers reaction when the umpire didn't send it!
Grenada finished the day on 153-3. That was my debut game and I finished with 10.0.47.2 wickets, being the most successful bowler for my team and I felt good to break the partnership and bring them back in the game, despite being a bit costly with my economy rate although Grenada were scoring at 4 an over as well. Anyhow, day two came and I got no bowl! The skipper who bowls very good leggies took 4 wickets and all the other bowlers who bowled kept it tight so Grenada had only about an 80 runs lead. We went in to bat and finished the day on 201-3 with Small making 83 runs. Thomas, our opener got 49 and the other, Harper, got 46 and everyone else got starts who batted. So, that was a drawn game and good fight back by us after a bad first day. Grenada got first innings points.
Dominica was our third game and the trophy was up for grabs between us. We were both on 12 points. I was included again in the final xi. Dominica won the toss and batted - our skipper is very bad lucked with the toss it seems. Anyhow, our ace fast bowler Johnson ripped apart their batting by taking 5 wickets. I bowled 5.0.22.0. My first four overs were good but messed it up in the last over, although I wasn't that threatening in my five overs. With our turn to bat, we ended up with a lead of about 50. Our skipper came to our rescue as we went into trouble again with the bat. He made 56 and I had a good 9th wicket stand of about 20 with him, although I remained on duck not out. The number 11 faced two balls and got a duck. I was just planning on going berserk the next time I got strike.
Dominica did better with the second dig at the crease. They got about 200 runs I think with a member of the Windies u15 side, Hodge, making 82. He played very well. I bowled 6.0.22.0. It was an okay bowling performance but again, I wasn't threatening in this innings. Anyhow, we were set about 170 odd to win and had enough time and we batted cautiously at first then started to excellerate. We wanted about 5 per over going into the last 10 with 7 wickets in hand so we decided to go after it and that we did. We last wickets regularly and the game started to get tense. The skipper was there yet again and saw us home. A boy who got called up as a replacement hit a late cut for four to win the championship for us.
We got jubilant and went right on to the field. Celebrations and picture taking started. Our last game was an ODI game against St. Lucia. I didn't play but we won the game quite comfortably in the end. We got 236 from the alloted overs and Johnson hit a ball right out of the park - the biggest hit of the tournament. St. Lucia got about 160 odd and the skipper did the damage by claiming 3 wickets. He varied his pace very well in this game and his accuracy is superb.
That's it for the games, look out for blog two for more on my great time in Grenada.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
A step to the next level
Yesterday was a very good day for me. I was picked in a 13 man squad for St. Vincent u19 to travel to Grenada for three Two-Day games and one One Day game.
We were informed about a month and couple days ago about the tournament so it came as a surprise to most. The management organized some trial matches for the last few weeks and I did well in the games, taking two or more wickets in each innings. It's a good thing that I was practicing on weekends during the off season for cricket, or I would have been terribly out of form at the moment.
The first game we played, I took 3-20 from five overs. I bowled some low full tosses in that spell but no long hops. The other game was a two day game. I bowled a massive 20 overs out of 69 in over 4 hours and took 3-57. Figures suggest I did well but I was a bit disappointed with myself. I didn't really variate that much in that game and I also had cramps in both calf muscle. Anyhow, I made up for that the next day as I bowled three overs and took 2-5. I variated a lot more there and I took the two wickets in one over which was also a maiden - probably my first time doing that.
The last game which was yesterday, I took three wickets for 30 odd runs from about seven overs. I got wacked for three sixes and two fours but bowled very well still. I bowled a lot of straighter balls and googlies to the left handers and it paid off. I got a left hander stumped, he hit me for two consecutive a few balls earlier. I got right hander stumped and the other caught at long off from a well bowled top spinner that looped and dipped!
So, in all, I probably bowled about 35 overs during the trial games, took 11 wickets at over three runs per over. From those matches, my confidence grew a lot. Batsmen who did not use their feet to me hardly got boundaries off me. They had to try and wack me out of the park at being tied down. I do give the ball air and yesterday, someone describe my googly as vicious. Ha ha.
For the squad, there are two spinners in it and both of us are leggies. The other one is the captain and he is my best mate on the side as well. I'm quite pleased with that! He is the leading spinner in the side however. The squad has a lot of batting so I guess I will be batting at 11 if I do play. Everyone on the side can handle the willow!
Anyhow, we are off to Grenada this wednesday for two weeks. I'm hoping, if I play to put in some good individual performances and also for us as defending champions to win both competitions.
We were informed about a month and couple days ago about the tournament so it came as a surprise to most. The management organized some trial matches for the last few weeks and I did well in the games, taking two or more wickets in each innings. It's a good thing that I was practicing on weekends during the off season for cricket, or I would have been terribly out of form at the moment.
The first game we played, I took 3-20 from five overs. I bowled some low full tosses in that spell but no long hops. The other game was a two day game. I bowled a massive 20 overs out of 69 in over 4 hours and took 3-57. Figures suggest I did well but I was a bit disappointed with myself. I didn't really variate that much in that game and I also had cramps in both calf muscle. Anyhow, I made up for that the next day as I bowled three overs and took 2-5. I variated a lot more there and I took the two wickets in one over which was also a maiden - probably my first time doing that.
The last game which was yesterday, I took three wickets for 30 odd runs from about seven overs. I got wacked for three sixes and two fours but bowled very well still. I bowled a lot of straighter balls and googlies to the left handers and it paid off. I got a left hander stumped, he hit me for two consecutive a few balls earlier. I got right hander stumped and the other caught at long off from a well bowled top spinner that looped and dipped!
So, in all, I probably bowled about 35 overs during the trial games, took 11 wickets at over three runs per over. From those matches, my confidence grew a lot. Batsmen who did not use their feet to me hardly got boundaries off me. They had to try and wack me out of the park at being tied down. I do give the ball air and yesterday, someone describe my googly as vicious. Ha ha.
For the squad, there are two spinners in it and both of us are leggies. The other one is the captain and he is my best mate on the side as well. I'm quite pleased with that! He is the leading spinner in the side however. The squad has a lot of batting so I guess I will be batting at 11 if I do play. Everyone on the side can handle the willow!
Anyhow, we are off to Grenada this wednesday for two weeks. I'm hoping, if I play to put in some good individual performances and also for us as defending champions to win both competitions.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Can't wait to play, the signs are too good
With my season due to begin soon - probably in two weeks time - I can't help but getting highly anticipative for it to start. I'm hoping to put in some very good performances this year.
My bowling of late has had some considerable improvement compare to last year. I'm way more accurate although there is still the "4 ball" waiting to be unleashed. I will use more defensive fields if there are one too many in the matches but I'm quite confident of doing well with the ball this year. I have been getting the ball to turn, bounce and land accurately. I guess a lot of practice does eventually pay off. I have bowled to school teams in practice over the last two weeks or so and they're quite clueless against me. I guess that says a bit about my improvement with the ball. I am getting the hang of outsmarting a batsman by mixing up my pace, flight, variations etc. Turn still remains my greatest asset, well, in my view it is but some lads told me I am quite a deceptive bowler.
I have been practicing like twice per week since like October last year so it's no surprise that I am bowling good now although for the first month or so, I wasn't bowling that well but I kept on going and it kept on getting better. My brother who I practice with also acknowledged that, saying that I'm very accurate these days. I guess most is all and well going into the season that starts very soon. At the moment, I am in quite a dilemma about my field placings that I should use in the matches, mainly the leg side setting for right handers and the off side for left handers. I do like guys in catching positions as I like to take wickets but with aggressive batters and some short boundaries back here, going with some defensive fields might be the way, especially to the left handers as I hardly get to practice against them.
About my deliveries, the over spinning leggies are good to go. My side spinner is looking very good, which I am pleased about. My googly hasn't been landing good of late and it has never really been landing that accurately ever before by the way. My slider is good and the top spinner as deadly as before. I noticed that I do get a bit of extra bounce with most of my deliveries, probably as I put a lot of rotation on the ball and land it on the seam. I haven't been using the flippers lately but I think I should start practicing with them again but not too use in matches anytime soon.
My batting looks decent and I should get in one or two good scores this time around. I haven't worked on my fielding since last September so that's some kind of a worry but I never had a reputation as one anyhow so.... Also, I have to work on fielding off my own bowling. I noticed in training that some balls were driven back to the leg side past the stumps and I didn't even make an attempt to dive and stop it. I'm quite big and that puts some fear in mind, and with a follow through of moving away off the pitch a good deal, it makes it harder.
Anyhow, I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the season and what might turn out to be one of my best year of cricket!
My bowling of late has had some considerable improvement compare to last year. I'm way more accurate although there is still the "4 ball" waiting to be unleashed. I will use more defensive fields if there are one too many in the matches but I'm quite confident of doing well with the ball this year. I have been getting the ball to turn, bounce and land accurately. I guess a lot of practice does eventually pay off. I have bowled to school teams in practice over the last two weeks or so and they're quite clueless against me. I guess that says a bit about my improvement with the ball. I am getting the hang of outsmarting a batsman by mixing up my pace, flight, variations etc. Turn still remains my greatest asset, well, in my view it is but some lads told me I am quite a deceptive bowler.
I have been practicing like twice per week since like October last year so it's no surprise that I am bowling good now although for the first month or so, I wasn't bowling that well but I kept on going and it kept on getting better. My brother who I practice with also acknowledged that, saying that I'm very accurate these days. I guess most is all and well going into the season that starts very soon. At the moment, I am in quite a dilemma about my field placings that I should use in the matches, mainly the leg side setting for right handers and the off side for left handers. I do like guys in catching positions as I like to take wickets but with aggressive batters and some short boundaries back here, going with some defensive fields might be the way, especially to the left handers as I hardly get to practice against them.
About my deliveries, the over spinning leggies are good to go. My side spinner is looking very good, which I am pleased about. My googly hasn't been landing good of late and it has never really been landing that accurately ever before by the way. My slider is good and the top spinner as deadly as before. I noticed that I do get a bit of extra bounce with most of my deliveries, probably as I put a lot of rotation on the ball and land it on the seam. I haven't been using the flippers lately but I think I should start practicing with them again but not too use in matches anytime soon.
My batting looks decent and I should get in one or two good scores this time around. I haven't worked on my fielding since last September so that's some kind of a worry but I never had a reputation as one anyhow so.... Also, I have to work on fielding off my own bowling. I noticed in training that some balls were driven back to the leg side past the stumps and I didn't even make an attempt to dive and stop it. I'm quite big and that puts some fear in mind, and with a follow through of moving away off the pitch a good deal, it makes it harder.
Anyhow, I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the season and what might turn out to be one of my best year of cricket!
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Make or break.......
Having gone to college early in the morning, I was greeted by one of my cricket mate - I once took him to the cleaners in a school match, three sixes in an over. We had a little talk about cricket and he said club cricket is going to open in February. That means that my season will be opened soon and I'm really looking forward to this year.
I will try my best to train more as being a good leg spinner is hard work, but it eventually pays off. I'm still young (18) and leggies are generally late bloomers, so I'm not too harsh on myself at the moment. I have to try and get back some form that I had in 2006 with the bat. Back then, I use to dis patch bowlers, bar the express ones, with ease. That was my main flaw back then. I'm ready for them now......I think.
Being a leggy that can bat will boost my chances of making most teams. I'm definitely more smarter now as I'm getting older so I fancy my chances of foxing a few batters with my exaggerated turn, which I'm proud to say, is my greatest asset in my armoury. I have the googly, my near-to-perfect top spinner and a wicked slider to play with as well and last but not least, the flipper, which is deadly when spot on.
One of my good mate who played for St. Vincent and Windward Islands at the u19 level plus played for St. Vincent senior side a few months ago, is passing on tips to me every now and then. He's a leggy and funny enough, he's like my rival as he is the spinner who got choosen ahead of me for the u19. In reality though, we're good pals. We are gonna battle again this year for that spot and he's ahead of me accuracy wise with the bowling so that's why I have to really work on my batting to try and probably force my way into the side as an all rounder.
Yes, so, other than that, I have to work on my fitness in which I've made a real hard effort on in the past four months. There is progression for sure. One point last year, I use to make about 20 push ups before my arms use to pass out on me but now, I'm up to 28!
I have a few targets I want to achieve this year but I'm gonna do like Tendulkar and keep them to myself. So, that's why I'm gonna call this year the "make or break" year.
I will try my best to train more as being a good leg spinner is hard work, but it eventually pays off. I'm still young (18) and leggies are generally late bloomers, so I'm not too harsh on myself at the moment. I have to try and get back some form that I had in 2006 with the bat. Back then, I use to dis patch bowlers, bar the express ones, with ease. That was my main flaw back then. I'm ready for them now......I think.
Being a leggy that can bat will boost my chances of making most teams. I'm definitely more smarter now as I'm getting older so I fancy my chances of foxing a few batters with my exaggerated turn, which I'm proud to say, is my greatest asset in my armoury. I have the googly, my near-to-perfect top spinner and a wicked slider to play with as well and last but not least, the flipper, which is deadly when spot on.
One of my good mate who played for St. Vincent and Windward Islands at the u19 level plus played for St. Vincent senior side a few months ago, is passing on tips to me every now and then. He's a leggy and funny enough, he's like my rival as he is the spinner who got choosen ahead of me for the u19. In reality though, we're good pals. We are gonna battle again this year for that spot and he's ahead of me accuracy wise with the bowling so that's why I have to really work on my batting to try and probably force my way into the side as an all rounder.
Yes, so, other than that, I have to work on my fitness in which I've made a real hard effort on in the past four months. There is progression for sure. One point last year, I use to make about 20 push ups before my arms use to pass out on me but now, I'm up to 28!
I have a few targets I want to achieve this year but I'm gonna do like Tendulkar and keep them to myself. So, that's why I'm gonna call this year the "make or break" year.
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