Fellow Rosaneri,

As I’ve said before cricket is a game where you’re always learning & you’ve never seen it all.

After last week’s match it struck me that I had experienced a couple of personal cricketing ‘firsts’, namely scoring over 30 runs in an innings and top scoring in a match. Not bad after playing over 20 seasons to still be breaking new ground!

I then mulled over what else I had done this season I’d never done before, or at least not for a very long time, I came up with these:

Participated in a 50+ run partnership (let alone doing it twice this season!)

Batted higher than 8 since junior school

Played a 20/Twenty match

Had as much net practice since secondary school as I have this season

Owned club branded attire

Been published on the internet

Been asked to coach

Batted in every match I’ve played bar one

Travelled over a hundred miles to a match

Had a batting average of over 19 for the season

I imagine there are more stats based ones but still, a pretty impressive list off the top of my head.

Surely then, if a cricketing old hand such as myself has managed this many firsts then what of those newer to the game….just take a couple of minutes to think about what personal milestones & achievements you’ve clocked up this season. And for those playing this weekend (unfortunately not myself), the opportunity is still there to clock up a few more, weather & luck permitting!

Consider then that without the tireless efforts of club officials behind the scenes & commitment of your fellow players at nets & on the pitch none of those achievements would have been possible; your summer would have been far emptier; your memories of this season non-existent.

Whatever sort of season we’ve had, whether as a team or as individuals, we can be satisfied in the fact that we have achieved. Not only that, we’ve also set ourselves targets and standards to surpass next season…roll on January & winter nets!