I stopped updating on here through the season as Ollie was playing so much cricket it felt like I was spending a lot of time here, and updating myself! So I have gone for the season summary.
2023, 13 years old and a first season in the seniors.
Under 13s.
This has been tough, for surprising reasons. As I have posted before- it's a weak squad with Ollie as a stand out player. They play pairs cricket in a weak league. Ollie said he wanted to play when he was available as he gets to play with his friends. He played 5 games, out of 14 played. He scored 246 runs with a strike rate of 332. League top scorer. Wicket keeping stats not available. So why was it tough? Parents. Opposition parents complaining about him (despite having their own interleague players playing), and even some of our own have been a bit snotty about it. The problem is we don't have enough for an U11 team, so they are playing up in the 13s; and there is a loud and complaining parent of an U12 keeper who seems to think Ollie playing his own age group is disadvantaging his own son somehow. I've seen him hit a 6 and there be silence around the ground. To be completely fair- the coach was always good with him (I know they had some pressure applied), and the other players (at least on our team) enjoy playing with him and look up to him as a role model. To be honest, I'm glad he's leaving this behind, but he enjoyed the freedom to have fun with his friends.
Under 13 interleague
He made the best of the interleague team, which we were all delighted by (and a bit surprised by). He finished as the top keeper in his league (6 games, 5 catches, 4 stumpings), but was probably lighter on runs than he wanted to be with 93 runs. The higher quality bowling exposed weaknesses in his technique that he is working on. Meeting players of his own age, that are as good as he is, has been excellent for him. It's forced him to refocus and think bigger than the village cricket club. He's fit in well to a group that (despite being a new group) were effectively the interleague team for a different league last year and all knew each other. He's become part of the group, and fits in well.
Under 15s.
League champions!
Unfortunately play cricket stats are very incomplete for the season. I think Ollie finished top scorer in the team, or was at least close. His performances behind the stumps were consistently high quality. This is probably the area where Ollie enjoyed his cricket most. The boys are all good friends, having played together for 4/5 years as a small squad, but being older means there is also a level of challenge he enjoys. The team breaks up this season, as the boys go over age, and it's a shame there's no sensible U18 option open.
3rd XI.
League champions!
Top scorer for the team! 3rd top scorer in the league. 9 matches played, 208 runs scored at an average of 35. Strike rate of 75. 8 catches as wicket keeper.
This has been a great first season for Ollie. It was tough at first, with him both keeping and opening. He has moved to #3, and things seem to be better- although he insists he wants to open. What has been seen this year is his resilience and determination to improve, and you can see his scores reflect his gradual adapting to senior cricket. His scores have improved through the summer. What has been fantastic to see is his evolution from going out there and struggling to survive to an attacking batter looking to dominate bowling. He has hit 3 sixes, and 24 4s. His contributions have won games for the team- which has been incredible to watch. Most of the U15s also play in this team, which makes it a fun place to play cricket for him.
2nd XI
9 innings, 78 runs at an average of 10, with a top score of 23. Strike rate 46. 14 catches and a stumping.
This has been a tough summer in the 2nds. Saying that, Ollie loves it- he says he likes it better than the 3rds, but that might be ego talking! He really enjoys the extra focus and commitment from this group of players- he likes to take things very seriously sometimes! Similar to the interleague- the better quality bowling has challenged his batting technique. There have been a couple of times where you could see a bowler laying a plan against him. Less bad balls to attack (although 2 6s show he's capable), and tougher fielding is slowing his scoring. Luckily for him he is being incredibly well supported by those around him, and he's very happy. On the positive side, his glovework has been exemplary so it doesn't feel like there has been any pressure on his position in the team, with the club being happy to allow his batting to develop in time. He's bouncing around the order a little depending on player availability- from opening to as low as 7; but he seems fine with that.
1st XI
2 matches, did not bat.
A long drive to away cup fixtures made a number of 1st teamers mysteriously unavailable! Ollie was very nervous, but kept to the 1st team!
Overall, it's been a wonderful summer of cricket for Ollie. It's been tough in places- both socially as a 13 year old in teams of strangers (interleague) or adults (only junior in the 2nds most of the time). However there have been real highs- his interleague selection and subsequent county training. His keeping was already going well, but it's improved to even greater heights. Every challenge he has faced, his keeping has been up to the task- and he's pushing himself to get better all the time. Batting, has shown areas for improvement. He's perfectly at home against the 3rds, but quality can work him out. He is also making mistakes. But he's recognised this- and wants to work hard in the nets to get better. This is one of Ollies great strengths- he's not afraid to put the work into improving. I was watching him at club training last week, stood off to the side chatting away with a 20 year old student who plays in the 3rds. I don't think he would have done that last year.
This season has really fired him up. For the first time he is thinking about pushing for the county squad. Personally, I'm not fussed if he gets there or not, although I'd love him to get exposure to the quality of players and coaching to help him be better himself. From there he can do whatever he wants.
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Topic: Your Season 2023 (Read 20344 times)