someblokecalleddave's Blog

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Wrist Spin Bowling: Medial Epicondylitis day 5

Got up and threw the ball around a bit this morning working on accuracy. That went pretty well and no problem with my arm. This afternoon Joe, Ben and me went over the Rec and had a knock about. I set up a decent distance boundary and we played in the style of 'Terrier Cricket' and Ben did particularly well in both areas - Bowling and Batting. He hit several 4's and again the majority of these were down the Leg Side. In the end I decided that I'd bowl at him much faster using the plastic practice balls to emulate the type of bowling that he would expect to have in a match because they tend to all be seam bowlers. So I bowled Medium pace seam up balls and he handled these pretty well and I reckon from now on this is what I should do for both of them in order that they get used to this type of bowling as it's what they're going to get in their matches.

It also meant that I wasn't using my spinning fingers in the manner that has led to my injury. Despite bowling a bit of spin this morning and again this afternoon I'm alright tonight which is good so I've signed up for inclusion in any game that might be available this Sunday.

Seam bowling was interesting and I might not of ever considered it if it wasn't for Clarrie Grimmetts mention of it in his book Getting Wickets which I'm currently reading. Just the fact that Grimmett speaks about it in a positive manner made me consider it as an option to look at and today provided the perfect reason to give it a go. The thing I noticed was the ease with which you can direct the ball straight at the stumps and the additional addition of changing the seam direction in the hand added a new dimension in that the ball deviated off the pitch in the direction intended. Sitting here typing I have faced an Aussie bowler who played or rather practiced with the MPA 1st XI back in the day and he bowled a ball that was probably in the 50 - 55 mph speed region that he was able to make the ball swing one way or the other. Interestingly my 10 year old son who bowls seam up gets his balls to swing unintentionally and similarly he doesn't bowl super quick by any stretch of the imagination and yet the ball does swing. The paragraph in the book which opened my eyes to the Medium Pace potential was this - By medium pace bowling, I do not mean the straight-up-and-down medium pace deliveries with which we are so familiar, but medium paced bowling with sting and spin. Getting Wickets Page 61; C.V. Grimmet; London 1930; Hodder & Stoughton.
So with such a positive endorsement from Grimmett and the potential of a straight ball that swings with seemingly a far higher potential for accuracy it may well worth be a look at? I'll continue reading the book and see if the subject is expanded on with regards it's use to spinners.

Joe & Ben

Joe and Ben have a game this Sunday at Wickford and a 3 hour training session on Thursday set up by the Council. It seems that it's in conjunction with B&PCC and Reg has advised all the boys in the team to go along and get involved as they missed out on their weekly training today because of the bank holiday.

I've just emailed Terry Jenner to see if I can get Joe in on his Spin Clinic at Chigwell in July and at the same time asked if I can go along and watch. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens.
 
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I like the photos, nice comment at the bottom. One of the reasons you went well was the weather I reckon. Take notice legspinners always do better in overcast and gloomy conditions. Why has not been explained. It is not because of swing. Kerry O Keefe always emphasised how spinners should do better in dull light, and he reckons old timers said so too.
 
Re: someblokecalleddave's Blog

Yeah that kind of makes sense, it'll be interesting to see how it goes tomorrow, but I'll have at the back of my mind the need to shout for LBW's! Let's hope I can get it together.

With regards the comments at the end do you mean the point that I made about the fact that I'm doing well off the back of not practicing incessantly? Or my Captains comments?

Another thing - the Owzatts, I've just read the bit about Grimmett and his subdued asking for owzatts - apparently he wasn't audible from the edge of the pitch and had an arrangement with the umpire where he turned to him in a civil manner and asked 'That was plumb out'? Or something similar.
 
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someblokecalleddave;355118 said:
Have a look at this - this is a list of this seasons bowling averages across all of the teams key spinners Wrist Spin Bowling: Stat Wars

I think this means I'm doing okay this season and this is with a bad bowling arm.

I'd say you're doing the best out of all of them. Most people's average will go highers towards the end of the season, usually after a couple of average performances, that's normal. Your strike rate is very good for a spinner, and you are looking quite dangerous there.
 
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Breeno, I had a look at everyones bowling stats (fasts and Slows) today and they're in an excel spreadsheet so I was able to sort the different stats in numerical order and it looks as though at the minute I am actually the best bowler in the club which is an incredible turn around from last Sept when I was the worst at the end of the season. So I'm well chuffed as I have put in a lot of solitary hard work especially over the closed season this year trying to recover my Leg-Break and it looks like it's paid off. I had practice tonight and I was bowling a good line and length and turning the ball big so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
 
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someblokecalleddave;355317 said:
Breeno, I had a look at everyones bowling stats (fasts and Slows) today and they're in an excel spreadsheet so I was able to sort the different stats in numerical order and it looks as though at the minute I am actually the best bowler in the club which is an incredible turn around from last Sept when I was the worst at the end of the season. So I'm well chuffed as I have put in a lot of solitary hard work especially over the closed season this year trying to recover my Leg-Break and it looks like it's paid off. I had practice tonight and I was bowling a good line and length and turning the ball big so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

That's awesome.

Great to hear.
 
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Hi Dave,

I read ur blog and really u are luckyto have a small piece of land near ur home to practice....nice grass field...good place to practice...something i can only imagine of.
U can prepare a small wicket to practice alongwith ur sons...
nice photos...really very good to have the ground so close to ur home...
develop the land for cricket so other kids can also play cricket...
Good one...my friend...Best of luck...
 
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Yeah you're right Virender, but it is kind of unusual, I don't think that many people would have the front to do such a thing normally. I'm a bit unusual like that and don't really care what people think or say, most people would be too embarassed to do such things. With regards this new place which I've over-looked for the last three years it is local council property I think and if I was to approach the council there's a good chance that they might actually support me in some way, they have done before when I've adopted football fields and started cutting wickets in the middle of them in the summer, so despite the fact that most people think I'm taking liberties and that I'm probably the local nut case, the truth is the local council like what I'm doing as it's encouraging people to do sports.
 
Re: someblokecalleddave's Blog

Dave,
That is a good effort from you.Atleast u are trying to develop sport in your neighborhood..
I was also looking for a small piece of land nearby so i could get the local kids to practice and play cricket...i had tried to tie-up with a local club who has entry in local tournaments and had a word with the secretary of the club on the same and then also spoke to my uncle and dad for getting potential sponsor. But getting a small of land on lease is a pain and getting regular Sponsorship is also difficult as told by my father.We also tryed but in vain.
I was not going to charge any fees from the kids so poor people could have encouraged their kids to take up cricket and planned to work it around with donation money..
But now it seems to be a distant dream but i will be keeping my plan on hold and whenever possible if god willing...i will try to get my plan into a reality...
So when I see ur enthusiasm and efforts being in progress…I feel very happy…
My Best wishes are with you and if u requires any help or guidance then please do let me know…I will try to help you in all possibility…

Virender
 
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I've had another good game today albeit against a team made up of youngsters probably averaging about 15 years old + a girl who I reckon was about 18 and two blokes about my age maybe a little older. My figures - 6.4 - 4 - 8 - 3 and the details will eventually all be on my blog at Wrist Spin Bowling: That'll do nicely G&CCC v SLHCC at the moment just the pic's are there but over the next couple of days I hope to be writing up the match account. I'm pleased with todays figures as I think that improves all of my figures, but I'm not sure whether it's a good thing to be so aware of your figures as it may mean you bowl in a different way looking to maintain your figures rather than getting the blighters back in the sheds. I got three of them today and did so without conceding many runs and one of them was a leftie and I don't bowl that well against Lefties.
 
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Dave,

Good Figures...and congratulations for your acheivement.

Keep it up...

Best of luck..

Any progress on the ground close to ur home...

Virender
 
Re: someblokecalleddave's Blog

Virendersingh.berthwal;357374 said:
Dave,

Good Figures...and congratulations for your acheivement.

Keep it up...

Best of luck..

Any progress on the ground close to ur home...

Virender

Re the wicket in the enclosure. Nothing much in the short term, I mowed it at the bowling end and now have more of an idea of how uneven the ground is. There's quite a bit of work to do with regards getting it even and that'll be a bit by bit process over the coming months slowly introducing more earth/compost to level it off. Each time it rains the new earth will slowly bind with the existing top layer. I've sewn seed and they'll eventually grow and the roots will then hold the two layers together 100%. The key stage will be this Sept/Oct when you're supposed to sew grass for best success. If I've managed to get the top layer down and got it fairly even any grass that is sewn then will take and the wicket will then be set up to come good next April/May. Another sewing of seeds will take place then. Over this winter when it's wet I'll roll it several times and that'll help with the eveness as well. So hopefully my next summer it'll be good.

With regards the council I might point out that the fence is damaged and ask them if they'd consider repairing it.

The other wicket on the football field, despite the fact that all my attention is on the new wicket and getting it level. I can't let it grow over even though we haven't used it at all for a couple of weeks now I still fill compelled to cut it and look after it and probably will continue to do so.
 
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