Tag: nets

Nets – MASSIVE WINTER TURNOUT

Yuri Beholds Matrix
Yuri Beholds Matrix

Comrades! I stand before you, whilst being sat at my computer, astonished by last week’s turnout at the nets. And the weather, comrades in willow, was far from seasonal. The cold wind that snapped up about our Urals was as bitter as the draft from an Eskimo’s freezer door. More frigid and damp air could not be found in a nun’s pond. I promise there shall be no more similes  Which is a believable as squirrel with three nuts. But it was COLD!

We had an amazing turnout: Ilyeva, Brandonovski, Soldya, Altmananov, Boringski, Samovar and myself, Yuri. Two nets, the side-arm and a suitable amount of kit to keep the frequency of batting practice up. Ilyeva has taken quite a shine to this weapon of bowling and after an hour was getting the ball down the end of the wicket at an alarming pace and thankfully, accurate too. This little device has truly helped us to build on our batting skills.

We were deploying the three hits and swap method so there were nearly always 3 or 4 bats padded up and swapping out after a run of three balls. It works well and also provides a bit of running. Keeps the eyes hungry too as you never get long enough to just smack the balls away. I was lucky enough to return to my first bat which I didn’t use all last year for fear of its weight and grandeur. Fool was I, for this nets it came upon me as an epiphany and I shall hence forth use her wisely!

More nets this week of course and if we get the same turn-out I shall be amazed. But without doubt the turnout was fantastic and I have included a photograph of the usual suspects below. We cannot stress enough, comrades; The nets are completely open. If you ever played and are embarrassed to come back or if you never played and think you will know nobody there – it does not matter. We are all comrades together and it would be lovely to see you all at the nets. Please make it along as it will really help our game and your selection!

Do Svidaniya – Yuri!

The Unusual Suspects
The Unusual Suspects

Comrade Altmananov is amongst us

Altmananov
Altmananov

Comrades!

Welcome amongst us our newest comrade – We shall call him comrade Altmananov (pronounced: Alt-Man-Annov). He has of course another name, John Altman but this lingers from his previous imperialist days which he has now shed to find shelter amongst our fine body of red adorned cricketeers!

He was with us last week as we fought off the biting cold to improve our batting averages. Joined by Brandonovski, Robski, Ilyeva and myself we made a fine five and hurtled our batting averages upwards. Altmananov has a good eye, in fact, two. Like the rest of us, work required on stroke play but we see fine potential amongst his batting. Famed of course for his nasty Nick reputation, it is with utmost respect that i may say, comrades, a more suitably pleasant and mild mannered addition he makes to our collective.

Welcome aboard, comrade Altmananov!

Yuri

Nets in 3D

Comrades, just the other week, in preparation for the Stonor CC match, Dan, Sam, myself and Huds went along to Paddington Rec nets (Which are open all year) for a bash. I also brought along a fairly basic 3D camera and tripod and was keen to see our various batting skills, or the lack of in my case.

You will need some Red/Cyan glasses to view these but you can switch off the 3D functionality in the youtube video if you wish!

My clip is large, the others are also if you click on the youtube button and watch them on their site.

YURI at the crease

Wow my bat is angled out and very cocked! Culd explain some things!

HATTER

HUDS

 

SAM

I hope you found that all very very interesting! Comments and tips are warmly accepted. If you would all like some 3D Net practice so you can see what you are doing with the bat – you had better come along to some nets, hadn’t you!?! There will be some winter nets arranged and training and comrades, we need batting practice. It is by far, the weaker part of our game.

Yuri