Pro Cricket without Uni....

[King Pietersen]

University cricket teams are seen as the way into county cricket for many a young player. Current professionals that broke into county cricket thanks to being noticed playing university cricket include Andrew Strauss, Alex Loudon, and many more but i cant be bothered doing the research . The big university matches are seen as a major way of being noticed in the game, but what are the chances of being spotted without playing university cricket ? and is it the best way of being spotted by counties around the country ?

James Anderson made his way from Lancashire League obscurity to England world cup team in 2003, and proves that consistent performances in club cricket can get you noticed, but Jimmy was performing in one of the more prestigous club systems in England, the Lancashire League is known as a major strand of club cricket. My question to you lot then, is what are the chances of being spotted playing club cricket in the more obscure counties such as Suffolk, Norfolk and others ?

It's a dream for all young cricketers to make it to the big stage, making a living out of playing the sport they love, but how realistic is the dream ? I personally would desperately love to fulfil the dream, but i know that it would take serious work and commitment, something that i really cannot afford to do at the moment, with studies, girlfriend etc. But, if the commitment was made, with work on technique, fitness and strength, what would be the chances of being spotted in Suffolk for example ?

I only started playing cricket last year, but i feel that if i really put the work in i could maybe make it to county standards but what are the chances of firstly being spotted, and secondly getting a place at a major county ? It cant be an easy thing to become a professional in, but i'm sure that its easier than football, as with football you either have a natural ability or you dont, whereas you can train yourself to perform with hours of practise with cricket. So, what are the chances of making it into the county scene, without going to Uni ?

 

[Manly]

my advice, move

nah joking aside, my mate is better than anyone ive seen at age 16 and it took him 4 years to get an essex net session... like you say, if you do the hard work, then it becomes someone else's choice in the end

 

[manee]

My question to you lot then, is what are the chances of being spotted playing club cricket in the more obscure counties such as Suffolk, Norfolk and others ?

Firstly, look to get into a premier club's first XI and then into the Suffolk or Norfolk team. If you are good enough, you will get spotted.

You talk of doing all the work like it is easy but the fact is that on a physical level, you need to be working toward not at all getting tired at all during a spell which is less than 5 overs for a pacer or at all for a spinner. The sort of strength where you can throw the ball to the keeper without problem and chase a ball to the boundary full pace even in the last over of an innings.

In terms of fitness, look to go to www.harrowdrive.com but there is a considerable skill level for county cricket. I have played with County Youth players and they are a step up from what you normally see at club level. If you wish to be playing County Cricket when you are older, look to be scaling leading run scorer/wicket taker lists sooner rather than later.

 

[Jaztheman]

I feel the same as you Dan, but in Football, as living in Lincolnshire is hardly going to get you 'noticed' unlike when I hopefully move to Essex. They do say practice makes perfect though Dan...

 

[evertonfan]

I don't really know much about scouting in cricket, but certainly in football when I played in a St.Helens league I wasn't noticed at all. Then when my team played in a central Liverpool league I got scouted and trialled. I think location has a lot to do with it.

 

[Ollie_H]

It depnds how old you are, if there is a local cricket centre in cooperation with a county then see if they have any courses or caoching and if you are good enough they will probably recomend you

 

[Leicester Fox]

When you say you think you could make it to county do you mean a proper side? Thats really difficult, now I've hit before big runs and bowled well, I'm fairly pacey and I still don't get in. If you want a chance to get in a county side it would be useful if you did something like cricket studies, I know someone who does it and is at Old Trafford every day and their not even in the county side though, unless you really are winning games on your own chances are you won't get noticed. Maybe its just where I live though and all the quality Anglo-Indians with their pushy dads making them extra good My club nominates people for the district though and if their good enough they'll play for them, and if you perform for them then you will definitely get looked at. I