Cricket Diary: Strangely Enjoyable

Feels strange rather than frustrating not to be playing cricket but I have certainly made the right decision and after one week on what is a pretty intensive fitness programme I can feel quite an improvement. It helped that I had figured out long ago that I wasn’t going to be starting the season for Staffordshire Seniors, and whilst if I had been I would have played through the pain and discomfort, the fact that I am not gives me this opportunity, especially as I have yet to decide on my club cricket plans.

The frustration is that if the committee had made the decision that I was expecting at the end of last season or even during the winter I would have scheduled by rehab and fitness programme to aim to be available May 16th rather than April 25th. I would not have arranged the NBCC Pre Season game or played in the inter squad game and would have had a much better chance of being fit. As it is the earliest date that I have pencilled in is now June 6th, but we live with the decisions of others.

The issue now is not really one of repairing injuries, but a case of realigning and reeducating my body after years of compensating for injuries. Specifically my hips, glutes and hamstrings with some attention still needed to thighs and knees but they will (in theory) get better by focussing on the other areas. The one remaining injury affected area is my shoulder/arm which is basically my rotator cuff and this may never get much better so I will need to experiment and find the best method of throwing as that is the only area of my game it really effects, and even then it is long throws. IF I get the body sorted then fielding in my preferred positions of short cover and short mid wicket will be ideal!

There are three key areas I need to strengthen: Glutes, Core and Rotator Cuff and I am working through the programme below 5 times a week:

Glutes

1. Lateral Band Walks
2. Lunges
3. Squats
4. Clamshells
5. Side-Lying Leg Circles
6. Side Plank Hip Abductions
7. Weighted Glute Bridges
8. Deadlifts
9. Step Ups

Core

1. Plank
2. Reverse Crunch
3. Bird Dog Crunch
4. Bicycle Crunch
5. Glute Bridge

Rotator Cuff

1. Pendulum
2. Cross Over Arm Stretch
3. Passive Internal Rotation
4. Passive External Rotation
5. Sleeper Stretch
6. Standing Row
7. External Extension Arm Abducted
8. Internal Rotation
9. External Rotation
10. Elbow Flexion
11. Elbow Extension
12. Trapezius Strengthening
13. Scapula Setting
14. Scapula Retraction
15. Horizontal Abduction
16. Internal Rotation
17. External Rotation

Cardio wise I am walking the dogs every day (2.5m), doing 15km on the bike 3 times a week. Next week all being well I will add some very gentle shuttles twice a week, and an even gentler jog with Tito once a week.

Not even picking up a Cricket Bat at the moment, and have logged out of Play Cricket and any cricket related WhatsApp groups so that I am totally removed from all the chat, gossip, speculation and other associated ‘stuff’ that goes with being part of cricket clubs!

I do have some Monday night nets scheduled in May with the Birmingham Unicorns primarily to do some coaching but at the same time will get some ‘cricket mobility’ into the body.

There are a number of friendly/charity games during May that I may play in if body is ready, but will be very specific as to what I am looking to test in each game.

I have been selected to play for the XL West Midlands on May 17th which is the week before I go to Spain and will be the first competitive game I will be playing in to tell me if I am fit enough to relax and enjoy a rest in Spain and then start playing when I come back, or if I need to use the time in Spain for more training.

In a perverse way I am really enjoying being this focussed. As mentioned I have left all the cricket club/team/chat WhatsApp groups to distance myself from the day to day and help with the focus. I have put on hold a few projects that were cricket related and am only doing the animal welfare and No Boundaries ‘usual stuff’. I am staying away from club cricket for now as well. Nothing sinister or to be read into this: it is the way I am when I need to really focus on something, I withdraw from pretty much anything that may distract me.

I really am OK with all of this. The nets over the winter and first two games have given me confidence in my own game and I now need to get the same level of confidence in my body. I will then look at where I will play with one factor dominating: I have to enjoy my cricket. I have ten years or more ahead of me if I can keep my body and enthusiasm in good shape and I think the main focus will be No Boundaries, Charities and Development Cricket. I have never been one to ‘belong to a club’, and I really don’t have the time, temperament or desire to get drawn into traditional club life: I think my time, energy and skills will be best used with No Boundaries and our plans to help clubs become more inclusive and diverse.