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Q: Our son played under 14 representative cricket last season and did trial for a club’s green shield team for this season. Unfortunately, he missed out but a number of his team mates made the squad.
A few parents of the kids have been persistent with wanting our son to play green shield with them and it’s upsetting him as the coaches of the club have said the squads have been selected.
What should we do to help him?
A: Hi Tim, as a dad of 2 boys who were lucky enough to play GS, gaining too much advice from a variety of sources about what to do next can be just as confusing as missing selection.
You haven’t mentioned what team your boy trialled for however a general run of thumb could be applied - where did your GS team finish last year and where did the U15’s reps in your location finish - it gives you a guide on how that GS team might fair this year and a rough level of improvement required to make that team next year.
If your 15’s won reps, the majority should make that GS squad, if they run last and struggled, then that side should be a bit easier to make. Eg. Parramatta won GS and U15 reps last year, naturally most of that U15 team will be in their GS side and should be super competitive.
Also the Academy age groups gives a guide of the “power’ bases in Sydney junior cricket, this can assist as to where to consider trialling next year.
Coaches in less than successful areas will need to be more across the potential candidates from outside your area to “boost’ the playing talent in that team.
That can bring more of an opportunity to play.
Also every club will have a different approach, some will want to win, others will be more about the experience and getting a basic understanding of what playing at the entry level to grade cricket is like.
If you are trialling for a “gun” GS side making that team might not be realistic- every triallist would be of a very high rep standard so to make any side is tough but some sides are definitely harder than others to make.
The simple question “how do you think you went” is never more accurate - did he face the best quick or spinner there or did he bowl to the likely opener and or some of the top 6 batsmen.
If he got bowled a few times or got smashes around - There’s your answer, he’s got a bit to work on - if he thought he did really well, that’s awesome but unfortunately the coaches just can’t fit everyone in.
Naturally most GS teams will select the boys in the U16 age group with a possible sprinkling of younger boys so selecting a squad of so many batters, bowlers, keeper or 2 + the 2 country boys is not easy getting the balance right.
Like any sport, every team has a goal of winning the title but as we know that is not realistic. Think of our footy team we follow. do we expect them to compete for the title or are we happy with top 8.
Making a team might be the highlight of a players career so use the non selection as a chance to self reflect on what he can do better.
One thing to remember- though it is junior cricket, every team is not filled with 15 juniors from each local area - triallists at every GS trial nowadays are from all over Sydney, I would ask did his mates trial elsewhere before hand.
Does he have a desire to only play for his local club, great if he makes it but again each club only picks 15 so it’s good to be realistic if your very area/location is super strong.
Trialling at other clubs next year would definitely harden his game in the winter so the focus to just keep improving your skills should always be the key.
Good luck.
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Q: I’m 18 and opening the bowling and want to have a big offseason to improve. What do people recommend as the balls I need to work on and perfect?
A: Hi Adrian, as an 18 year old and an opening bowler, I presume you have been playing cricket for a few years and have an established off season fitness program underway.
I wouldn’t be focusing so much on actually bowling too many balls now, rather focusing on building your body to cope with the demands of bowling fast.
There are numerous fitness programs online that can assist you with your development.
If you give yourself 8-10 weeks from Round 1 to slowly build up, this will stand you in good stead for the year.
Not knowing your physical characteristics I.e. how tall/lean/quick before actually picking up a ball can pre-determine how much improvement can be made in one off season.
Trying to bowl a fair bit quicker now may not be feasible just yet, this is dependent on your physical situation.
A program that looks to keep developing the key areas to bowling eg. strength and speed need to be undertaken.
Sprint training should be undertaken twice a week to improve your speed. If you view Tik Tok have a look at Gerry DeFilippo - he has a lot of great strength and speed exercises that will definitely improve your physique however please check in your doctor about any serious fitness program.
Good luck
Adrian Critchley
last year
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Q: What’s the best advice you can offer a young fast bowler to help them bowl faster?
A: There are many variables to consider as a young fast bowler -
Your action - are you pre-disposed to be injured due to a fault in your action
What is your build before you start - short. Tall and where will your height finish -
Are you under or over weight for what you want to achieve -
How much time can you devote to off field training. - your off season is where you will ten most gains in speed and power not during your season.
Be realistic - how far are you now and how much can you improve in the off season - 5% - 10% for example
