Your Cricket KP's Season Diary
- Thread starter King Pietersen
- Start date
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Sunday 1st of June- A career best 
Just got back from a game, and it was a good'un for me. We bowled first on what looked like a wicket that would seam around and be lively first up. Not alot happened with the new ball, and 20 overs gone I came into bowl. First 2 overs were lively but i was just finding my line, both going for 4 runs. Next over I got my first wicket, that of their opening batsman, with a jaffer. Pitched on off stump, hit the seam and moved away taking the edge. The next over I took another, this time a mis-timed pull shot caught by the fielder at mid-wicket, and a good catch it was.
The Third wicket came a few overs on, after coming very close a few times, and actually hitting one of the batsmen in the midrift with one that bounced abit. The third wicket was a perfect yorker, full and straight and through the defences of a good batsman, who looked in good touch. I then took the elusive 4th wicket, the first time i'd done so in my year and a half at club level. This was another full straight one which took out leg-stump.
I finished with figures of 8.1 overs, 2 maidens, 4 for 23. I bowled 8 overs on the spin for the 2nd time this season, and would have bowled 10 on the trot if we hadn't have bowled them out for 105.
105 to chase, and not a good start, I batted at 6 and came in at 15-4. I started well, kept out 4 balls from one of the pacey openers. Then i squeezed a cover drive through for a single in the next over. Then i played a stupid shot, trying to go back and whip the ball leg-side. The ball didn't bounce and hit me plum in front. I walked back with 1 to my name, and dissapointed as I felt good in the middle, i must surely be due a score soon. In the end we were bowled all out for 53, very poor batting performance.
Overall, dissapointing that we lost, but 4 wickets and my name in the paper lifts my spirits somewhat. Just wish i could have capitalised on the good pitch conditions and average bowling. Least i managed to get moved up the order
Just got back from a game, and it was a good'un for me. We bowled first on what looked like a wicket that would seam around and be lively first up. Not alot happened with the new ball, and 20 overs gone I came into bowl. First 2 overs were lively but i was just finding my line, both going for 4 runs. Next over I got my first wicket, that of their opening batsman, with a jaffer. Pitched on off stump, hit the seam and moved away taking the edge. The next over I took another, this time a mis-timed pull shot caught by the fielder at mid-wicket, and a good catch it was.
The Third wicket came a few overs on, after coming very close a few times, and actually hitting one of the batsmen in the midrift with one that bounced abit. The third wicket was a perfect yorker, full and straight and through the defences of a good batsman, who looked in good touch. I then took the elusive 4th wicket, the first time i'd done so in my year and a half at club level. This was another full straight one which took out leg-stump.
I finished with figures of 8.1 overs, 2 maidens, 4 for 23. I bowled 8 overs on the spin for the 2nd time this season, and would have bowled 10 on the trot if we hadn't have bowled them out for 105.
105 to chase, and not a good start, I batted at 6 and came in at 15-4. I started well, kept out 4 balls from one of the pacey openers. Then i squeezed a cover drive through for a single in the next over. Then i played a stupid shot, trying to go back and whip the ball leg-side. The ball didn't bounce and hit me plum in front. I walked back with 1 to my name, and dissapointed as I felt good in the middle, i must surely be due a score soon. In the end we were bowled all out for 53, very poor batting performance.
Overall, dissapointing that we lost, but 4 wickets and my name in the paper lifts my spirits somewhat. Just wish i could have capitalised on the good pitch conditions and average bowling. Least i managed to get moved up the order
shefellover93
Club Cricketer
Well done on the career best, pity about the loss, something to build on though!
KUTGW
KUTGW
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Thursday 5th of June 2008- A first real training session for a while
Yesterday was another chance for a training session and my first decent one for 2 weeks. It turned out to be a pretty decent one, I went into the bowling with confidence after my 4-23 at the weekend, and it certainly helped as I bowled with decent enough pace and good control. I bowled 10 or so deliveries and then got padded up to bat. I started off against the bowling machine, and actually asked for the speed to be turned up
Was on 52mph when I first went in.
As i gained in confidence the lad operating the machine slowly put the speed up on the machine so that I kept confident with the pace. I played well, only got out once and that was from an inside edge when i wasn't ready for the ball. I played nice and straight, hitting my favourite shot, the straight drive with regularity and with good timing. The speed was at a decent pace aswell as I got to the end of the session with the speed reaching 67mph by the end of the session, which i was still timing well.
Batting against this good pace didn't help against the bowlers though, as all but 1 of the bowlers were slower than this, especially the spinner who must have been bowling about 35mph, and i could not hit the thing as it was so slow. I played a few decent leg-glances, one of which i walked across my stumps and whipped a very full ball away with good power and timing. I should have played more defensively though, and tried to assert myself abit too much.
Once i'd got my pads off I returned to my bowling mark and bowled load more deliveries. There was a new guy who's just joined and he came into bad after me, so I gave him a good welcome, clean bowling him in his first delivery with a peach of a yorker. I did generally bowl good lengths and a very good line, with very few balls going wide.
Overall, a very good net session, and i've also been asked to play on Saturday aswell as Sunday, so i'll probably be bowling upwards of 14 overs this weekend, rain permitting of course. It's not looking promising at the moment though. Hopefully it'll pick up by tommorow.
Yesterday was another chance for a training session and my first decent one for 2 weeks. It turned out to be a pretty decent one, I went into the bowling with confidence after my 4-23 at the weekend, and it certainly helped as I bowled with decent enough pace and good control. I bowled 10 or so deliveries and then got padded up to bat. I started off against the bowling machine, and actually asked for the speed to be turned up
Was on 52mph when I first went in.As i gained in confidence the lad operating the machine slowly put the speed up on the machine so that I kept confident with the pace. I played well, only got out once and that was from an inside edge when i wasn't ready for the ball. I played nice and straight, hitting my favourite shot, the straight drive with regularity and with good timing. The speed was at a decent pace aswell as I got to the end of the session with the speed reaching 67mph by the end of the session, which i was still timing well.
Batting against this good pace didn't help against the bowlers though, as all but 1 of the bowlers were slower than this, especially the spinner who must have been bowling about 35mph, and i could not hit the thing as it was so slow. I played a few decent leg-glances, one of which i walked across my stumps and whipped a very full ball away with good power and timing. I should have played more defensively though, and tried to assert myself abit too much.
Once i'd got my pads off I returned to my bowling mark and bowled load more deliveries. There was a new guy who's just joined and he came into bad after me, so I gave him a good welcome, clean bowling him in his first delivery with a peach of a yorker. I did generally bowl good lengths and a very good line, with very few balls going wide.
Overall, a very good net session, and i've also been asked to play on Saturday aswell as Sunday, so i'll probably be bowling upwards of 14 overs this weekend, rain permitting of course. It's not looking promising at the moment though. Hopefully it'll pick up by tommorow.
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Sunday 8th of June- Another game, another comprehensive win
Sunday saw me compete in yet another B Team game at home after rain flooded the oppositions pitch. Our pitch was fairly wet aswell, but the hot conditions meant that bowling first would aid the team best. We won the toss and decided to field first once again, a good move. I was once again asked to open the bowling, and was keen to impress the 3 A Team players who had joined the team for the game.
I started OK, having a few balls edged behind and having the openers jump around in their crease, and got very close to a wicket. I was set to bowl 6 overs on the spin, but at the end of my 6th over I produced an absolute jaffer, swinging away pitching and moving off the seam. This led the captain to give me another 2 overs, so another 8 over spell. I decided i'd start to try and mix it up in this game aswell, implementing the off-cutter that i've been working on in the nets, and I managed to get one to really cut in and almost decieve the batsman. Only 1 really deviated off the pitch though, so it could do with abit more work I feel.
I ended up with decent figures of 8 overs, 0 maidens, 0-21. Pretty good economy and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. After a slow start in the wickets column, we suddenly picked up, and started taking wickets at regular intervals, eventually bowling the opposition out for a measly 65.
This gave us the chance at another small run chase, one that we managed to knock off with some ease. The shot of the day was played aswell, by one of the A team players, getting forward and smashing one of their medium pacers straight back over his head, over the trees and into the field behind for a massive 6, the biggest shot i've ever seen in person, was a huge hit. We ended up knocking the runs off with 8 wickets in hand, and pleasingly I was put up to bat at 6 which was a surprise.
Thursday 12th of June- Another decent net session
Last night I had another net session, and one that proved successful once more. I again decided to get padded up early, so didn't really bowl much at the start, but i managed to pick up a wicket early on. The batting went surprisingly well again, we only had 1 net tonight, so we got 15 minutes against the bowlers, and I batted the best i've ever batted. With the "coach" standing behind the net I tried to make sure I impressed, and I really did.
I started off confidentally with a gorgeous drive, taking a good stride down the wicket and smashing the bowler down the ground, along the ground. Then one of the quicker bowlers decided to go round the wicket and I struggled with his first 2 deliveries, just poking at them outside the off stump, but third delivery i got forward and drove him down the ground. I also played a cracking powerful sweep along the ground against one of the spinners, which the coach was very impressed with, just a shame I tried the same shot next ball and looked a twat ;p.
I managed to not only keep my wicket in tact for the 15 minutes, but also play some lovely shots, and impress everyone. The captain for my game on Saturday (rain permitting) was obviously impressed as he said that I could be batting at 4 or 5 in the academy team, so I finally have a chance to get some runs under my belt. If i play like I did in the net i'll certainly pick up some runs.
My bowling wasn't too impressive after this stage though, only picking up 1 further wicket, a clean bowled, but a knock to my foot when batting, trying a Pietersen-esque leg-glance meant I was a little restricted in my running, an injury that annoyingly still hurts this morning, but I'll be fine by tommorow, or so I hope anyway. Overall, a top net session and my batting continues to develop, i took a much more sensible approach in this net session as recently i've just been trying to slog, which helps nothing.
Sunday saw me compete in yet another B Team game at home after rain flooded the oppositions pitch. Our pitch was fairly wet aswell, but the hot conditions meant that bowling first would aid the team best. We won the toss and decided to field first once again, a good move. I was once again asked to open the bowling, and was keen to impress the 3 A Team players who had joined the team for the game.
I started OK, having a few balls edged behind and having the openers jump around in their crease, and got very close to a wicket. I was set to bowl 6 overs on the spin, but at the end of my 6th over I produced an absolute jaffer, swinging away pitching and moving off the seam. This led the captain to give me another 2 overs, so another 8 over spell. I decided i'd start to try and mix it up in this game aswell, implementing the off-cutter that i've been working on in the nets, and I managed to get one to really cut in and almost decieve the batsman. Only 1 really deviated off the pitch though, so it could do with abit more work I feel.
I ended up with decent figures of 8 overs, 0 maidens, 0-21. Pretty good economy and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. After a slow start in the wickets column, we suddenly picked up, and started taking wickets at regular intervals, eventually bowling the opposition out for a measly 65.
This gave us the chance at another small run chase, one that we managed to knock off with some ease. The shot of the day was played aswell, by one of the A team players, getting forward and smashing one of their medium pacers straight back over his head, over the trees and into the field behind for a massive 6, the biggest shot i've ever seen in person, was a huge hit. We ended up knocking the runs off with 8 wickets in hand, and pleasingly I was put up to bat at 6 which was a surprise.
Thursday 12th of June- Another decent net session
Last night I had another net session, and one that proved successful once more. I again decided to get padded up early, so didn't really bowl much at the start, but i managed to pick up a wicket early on. The batting went surprisingly well again, we only had 1 net tonight, so we got 15 minutes against the bowlers, and I batted the best i've ever batted. With the "coach" standing behind the net I tried to make sure I impressed, and I really did.
I started off confidentally with a gorgeous drive, taking a good stride down the wicket and smashing the bowler down the ground, along the ground. Then one of the quicker bowlers decided to go round the wicket and I struggled with his first 2 deliveries, just poking at them outside the off stump, but third delivery i got forward and drove him down the ground. I also played a cracking powerful sweep along the ground against one of the spinners, which the coach was very impressed with, just a shame I tried the same shot next ball and looked a twat ;p.
I managed to not only keep my wicket in tact for the 15 minutes, but also play some lovely shots, and impress everyone. The captain for my game on Saturday (rain permitting) was obviously impressed as he said that I could be batting at 4 or 5 in the academy team, so I finally have a chance to get some runs under my belt. If i play like I did in the net i'll certainly pick up some runs.
My bowling wasn't too impressive after this stage though, only picking up 1 further wicket, a clean bowled, but a knock to my foot when batting, trying a Pietersen-esque leg-glance meant I was a little restricted in my running, an injury that annoyingly still hurts this morning, but I'll be fine by tommorow, or so I hope anyway. Overall, a top net session and my batting continues to develop, i took a much more sensible approach in this net session as recently i've just been trying to slog, which helps nothing.
DPRA
International Cricketer
Looking good mate, Keep it up! :cool:
Thats excellent figures. Maybe you should've tried a leg cutter on top of the off cutter. And you bowl spin which is equally impressive.
I don't want sound mean but the June 1st game sounds awfully like the batting collapses of the English team. Must be generic... and yeah don't worry about the batting failures. It'll come. A big score. God can't wait till August when the cricket season starts.
I don't want sound mean but the June 1st game sounds awfully like the batting collapses of the English team. Must be generic... and yeah don't worry about the batting failures. It'll come. A big score. God can't wait till August when the cricket season starts.
6 x Afridi
Club Cricketer
hey bro how fast do u bowl?
lol you are omg you ask everyone how fast they bowl. why dont you ask them how good they can pitch on good length
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
I don't try and bowl fast, i try and hit the right line and length, I'd guess that i bowl about 65-68 mph though, definitely the fastest bowler in my Team anyway .
Saturday 14th June- An academy game and a chance for a bat
Saturday came, I got to the game and was told by the captain we were batting first and I was in to bat at 4. I was chuffed, my hard work at nets has finally paid off and i've got a chance to bat some overs and get some runs under my belt.
My chance to bat finally came after about 16 overs, with the score at about 45-2. I was in facing a medium pacer to start, but took a couple of overs to get off the mark, but eventually did with a nice sweep shot off the spinner. Next over i played an aerial straight drive for 2 to take my score to 3, next ball was short and wide and I latched on and played a McCullum-esque aerial cut shot, which raced for four, after flying over point's head.
I then started to struggle to find the gaps, and was getting frustrated with the ball coming off the middle and carrying straight to fielders. I was becoming increasingly annoyed stuck on 9, so tried to hit out, with the ball only carrying as far as a deep-ish mid on, gone for 9. I was annoyed that i'd got out before reaching double figures, but was pleased with my performance, was nice to get some time in the middle, and some runs, to up my average to 4 for the season
. Just hope i get a go in a proper B Team game, and not an academy.
We finished off setting them around 140 to win, and they knocked it off with ease, with 3 of the top 4 slogging away. I only bowled 4 overs, but was slogged around, finishing with figures of 4 overs, 0 maidens, 1-38. First time i'd gone at over 5 an over all season. I just couldn't get the ball full enough, and also had 2 catches dropped off my bowling, so it could have been closer if the catches were taken.
Overall, a positive performance in the batting, just a shame i got slogged around and we lost. Was nice to get some runs, and impress my captain with my stroke play. Just need to find the gaps in my next innings, and make some real runs. If the ball had found the gap with all of my shots i'd have probably have got about 30, but i'm happy with 9, i did a job for the team.
. Saturday 14th June- An academy game and a chance for a bat
Saturday came, I got to the game and was told by the captain we were batting first and I was in to bat at 4. I was chuffed, my hard work at nets has finally paid off and i've got a chance to bat some overs and get some runs under my belt.
My chance to bat finally came after about 16 overs, with the score at about 45-2. I was in facing a medium pacer to start, but took a couple of overs to get off the mark, but eventually did with a nice sweep shot off the spinner. Next over i played an aerial straight drive for 2 to take my score to 3, next ball was short and wide and I latched on and played a McCullum-esque aerial cut shot, which raced for four, after flying over point's head.
I then started to struggle to find the gaps, and was getting frustrated with the ball coming off the middle and carrying straight to fielders. I was becoming increasingly annoyed stuck on 9, so tried to hit out, with the ball only carrying as far as a deep-ish mid on, gone for 9. I was annoyed that i'd got out before reaching double figures, but was pleased with my performance, was nice to get some time in the middle, and some runs, to up my average to 4 for the season
. Just hope i get a go in a proper B Team game, and not an academy.We finished off setting them around 140 to win, and they knocked it off with ease, with 3 of the top 4 slogging away. I only bowled 4 overs, but was slogged around, finishing with figures of 4 overs, 0 maidens, 1-38. First time i'd gone at over 5 an over all season. I just couldn't get the ball full enough, and also had 2 catches dropped off my bowling, so it could have been closer if the catches were taken.
Overall, a positive performance in the batting, just a shame i got slogged around and we lost. Was nice to get some runs, and impress my captain with my stroke play. Just need to find the gaps in my next innings, and make some real runs. If the ball had found the gap with all of my shots i'd have probably have got about 30, but i'm happy with 9, i did a job for the team.
6 x Afridi
Club Cricketer
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
I know, was really annoyed/dissapointed with myself when i got out. Was abit of a nothing shot really, against a crap bowler. I could have hit the ball anywhere, but chose to hit it straight to mid on. Just tried to hit it too hard and ended up mis-timing it to the fielder. I was dropped earlier in my innings aswell, trying to cut in the air, would have been a hell of a catch, but i was dropped. I should have stuck around, but that's the way the game goes, hopefully i'll get further chances to get some runs, felt really comfortable out there, and feel that batting could become my number 1 role, as my pace is showing little sign of improving. Batting seems to come far more naturally to me, my straight driving is immense, and after only playing for a year i have quite a few shots which i am comfortable with.
