Wednesday 12 September 2012

The start of a new season

There is nothing more exciting than the start of a new season.


Brand new uniforms, the smell of freshly cut grass, knocking in the new cricket bats, practice sessions, post practice and game drinks and arguably our favourite sound in the whole world... that of leather on willow.

There is so much to look forward to. But most importantly,  a new start and a clear league table.

Both the mighty and the aspiring start as equals, with dreams of emerging triumphant at the end of a long and gruelling campaign.A chance at redemption for the teams and players who failed to live up to their true potential and a chance to replicate some scintillating cricket for the ones that emerged at the top of the pile at the end of the campaign.

Unfortunately, for a team so laden with talent, our results in the last season or two put us in the former category. By far the most mercurial team in the league, having set some of the highest batting totals in the past few seasons, our players continuing to end up amongst the top in both the batting and bowling ranking, we have been missing out by the skin of our teeth on that elusive third league title.

Over the years the league has grown more competitive, and we are at a very exciting stage where each team has at least a few game changers. Ones who can change the course or a game in the span of one over... for better or for worse.

At our best, we are more than a match for any team in the league.

Boasting two of the most swashbuckling openers to have graced the RMIT field, in Atul and Swaroop we have two players who regularly draw comparisons to the Greenidge and Haynes of our league.

In Nikhilesh we have an all rounder who is not only one of the quickest bowlers in the league but has found his feet as a batsman. Gracefully devastating, watching him decimate bowling attacks with seemingly minimum effort from that lanky frame was a highlight of last season.

Omar throwing himself around the field to save each run and bowling his heart out when called up was a modest inspiration last year.

And you get the feeling, that we are about to turn a corner. All we need is a few more of us to put our hands up and be counted. And yes... I am looking at YOU newcomer!


Gentlemen, the scoreboard has been wiped clean. The third title awaits....... its time for redemption.