Ignore youth at your peril

Having been away at a wedding this weekend, I thought I had chosen a good one to miss. After the terrible weather on Saturday, it looked like there would be no cricket for Kimberley Institute this weekend, but with the clouds clearing and the sun shining on Sunday, we were able to go out and play in the qualifying round of the Nottinghamshire Twenty20 Competition.

I have been thinking all season that this is a tournament that our side is well set up for, and the boys didn’t disappoint. Tom Rowe’s blistering innings of 126* not out off 75 balls set the tone for the first game against Ordsall Bridon and this was then supplemented by some sensational figures of 6 for 6 from George Bacon. The lads, then had a much tighter game against Radcliffe in the final, but pleasing pulled through in a tense last over.

It is great that we now have a finals day to look forward to in July, and we hope to add to our Sunday success this week, when we take on Caythorpe in the regional final of the Royal London Cup. We would really welcome a large crowd to support us this weekend, so if you are in the area come on down.

This week, I have been able to watch some the remarkable ODI series that has been taking place between England and New Zealand. The way the cricket has been played has really gripped the English cricketing public, and for the first time in my memory, there is a real buzz around our one day side.

I suppose the key question is, what is the biggest difference between the team that played in the dismal World Cup campaign and the one that has been breaking records for fun over the last two weeks? Well there has been a lot of talk about, the intent and ambition of the way they have wanted to play their cricket. This is without doubt a big factor.

For me, the biggest sea change has come from the willingness to select young exciting players, and not be too ‘safe’ with selections. Ric Charlesworth the great Australian hockey coach, who built Olympic winning hockey teams over a long period, said that one of the key blends of any successful team was to include up and coming talent. He said that you should ignore youth at your peril. In cricket this is most true. Too often, we can be cautious with selections and not be willing to give young talent the opportunity to come through. This England side is brimming with young lads who want to make a point. What makes it better, is that they are really hungry for success. The atmosphere looks relaxed. Jump back a few months to the World Cup and the team looked like they were carrying the weight of the world. Not now. This happy-go-lucky England are playing with a smile on their face, but also real intent.

Ric Charlesworth believed in bringing in youth

I can draw similarities from the new England set-up to our young team at Kimberley (with myself as an exception!). We must continue to play with no fear, be positive and impose ourselves on each match. Yes, at times, it might not work and we might get well beaten. However, with the talent we have in the dressing room, if we continue to back ourselves, I know that success is not that far away.