Latest Words from Wallis cricket article discusses importance of being part of a team in the sport
Written by Stephen Wallis
The cricket season has started. British summer time has clocked on and the sound of bat on ball will soon be heard around local cricket grounds. Cricketers young and old are now anticipating the new season.
From experience, batters and bowlers will be setting themselves runs and wickets targets. However, in the modern era, strike and economy rates will probably be just as important.
With the Cambridgeshire local league season due to get under way on Saturday April 30, I sought out the views of today’s players and those of yesteryear.
How much did the current crop look forward to the new season? It’s all hope and enthusiasm in April.
How much did the players of yesteryear miss the game? Do ex-batters still yearn for the chance of taking guard, and crisply hitting a four through the covers?
Do former bowlers, putting their current ailments to one side, dream of that perfect Jimmy Anderson-type delivery which clips the off bail? They can but dream.
The vibe from the current crop was excitement and the chance to play with friends - hopefully in the warm.
I know as you get older the lure of fielding on a cold one does have its drawbacks. Slip fielders dread the sharp catch off the thin edge while everyone tries to keep their hands in their pockets without the captain seeing them.
On the weather theme, Wisbech skipper James Williams, who has already played in 2022, is simply looking forward to playing without three jumpers on.
He should have got the chance over the Easter weekend.
"I always get excited around February time," said the Wisbech skipper.
New March Town Cricket Club skipper Sam Clarke echoed those sentiments. "I'm very much looking forward to the new season and getting back playing with my mates," he said.
Camaraderie seems the key ingredient for the county senior players, Stuart Arnold, Andy Bayes and Stuart Unwin.
“The beauty of cricket is that as time goes by the cricket gets slower as we all do, but we still enjoy donning the whites, and look forward to competing at the level we are at for our age," said the former.
"As the old saying goes, 'whilst we can we should'. We look forward to meeting old foes, who we have played against for decades, and re-convening the friendships we have made. But still we have the same competitiveness on the pitch."
Women's cricket is booming, and Lois Hopkins of the March Marvels can't wait for the new season.
She said: “The Women's team at March are due to have their first full season playing both soft and hard ball matches and festivals.
"We will be competing in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Softball league. All new players are welcome".
So what do ex-players miss? Unsurprisingly, there was a similar theme.
The mates, companionship and the feeling of being part of a team that cricket gives you were those chosen by ex-March Town captain of the 1990s Dave Kenning, Wisbech legend and now Cambridgeshire CCC President Derek Wing and Ernie Wool of Chatteris Town Cricket Club.
Ernie, who played for Chatteris CC for 36 seasons, was on the same wavelength - or should we say waistline - as former England captain Mike Gatting. He missed the wonderful teas provided by the tea ladies!
As for former March skipper Chris Ringham, who still makes the odd appearance, I am sure he will be back again this summer.
He does not miss the early-season cold weather and the muscular soreness that comes with it.
Keeping on with the weather theme, March Town CC chairman Ian Liversedge misses the chance to get out there on a warm summer’s day.
Suitably, he added: "I don’t miss the standing around on a freezing cold April day."
Playing-wise, Derek Wing said: "The beginning of the cricket season here at Wisbech means the annual visit of the MCC to Harecroft Road, an event that has taken place since 1926.
"The Wisbech club are still, I believe, the only club that has a two-day game with them which is something we are very proud of."
Meanwhile, March president and secretary Les Mills can view answers to the question from both sides.
He misses the playing friendships but said: "Now as an umpire I still enjoy spending the summer months on the field and you have of course one of the best seats in the house."
Personally, I believe the answers were best summed up by Dave Kenning.
"It’s not so much the playing side," he said.
"The banter, the stories, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging that being in a team against an opposition can only provide. That’s what I miss."
It's all about being part of a team. When the cricket season starts up, players can get back to just that.
