As previously pointed out on this website, fielding will be a crucial part of Rosaneri Cricket Club competing successfully against our established opponents.

I was watching a club match on Saturday, and the first thing that struck me was that some of the fielders were merely going through the motions. You could see it in the body language and with their behaviour at the fall of a wicket. Half of the players didn’t even come in to the middle to congratulate the bowler.

This is hardly surprising though, as most of the guys that form a so called team only met each other for the first time half hour before the first ball was bowled. They are purely in it for their own self satisfaction, i.e. scoring runs or taking wickets, the team scenario means nothing to them.

This is where we should have a distinct advantage. We are a genuine team, who play for the pride of our club and not for the benefit of ourselves. This will be most apparent in the field, and the effect on the batting team will be noticeable through our enthusiasm and camaraderie.

Throughout the season, individuals may well shine, but it is only the team pulling together in all aspects that will make us ultimately successful.

In the past I have played a lot of cricket, and the only reason I stopped playing was because I was not enjoying the game. This was mainly due to a complete lack of togetherness and team spirit. Now though, the buzz is back and I feel part of a family. And believe me, this family spirit, is what will make us all have a summer to remember.