Cricket isn’t special anymore - by playing too much of it as kids the powers have made the game into a disposable item that you can play whenever you want and come and go as you please knowing you can always get a game when it suits you - wasn’t that way when I was a kidCommitment to cricket is the biggest problem. So many other things for teenage kids to be doing these days. I just believe many kids now haven't the slightest idea what you mean when you talk about commitment.
When I was a kid, I was a committed cricketer. This meant turning up to practice whenever it was on. When at practice, finding something to do, whether it was a fielding drill, etc. Working on my game and trying to improve upon weaknesses. It meant being available for ALL matches during the season, not just turning up when you feel like it. It meant cricket being your number 1 priority and nothing came between you and playing cricket.
I imagine all clubs go through this these days. Kids at our club turn up to practice when they feel like it, usually on selection nights. They stand around watching if not being asked to bat or bowl. I caught one kid at practice sitting on his bum and playing with his mobile phone. I told him to put it away ... he seemed shocked. During the year they come up with all sorts of excuses for missing games .... schoolies, rock concerts, etc. We have kids missing cricket because they are attending a concert LATER THAT EVENING. WTF is that all about? Apparently they need to rest up and prepare for the concert.
We had a young player not turn up to a match today. The team played 1 short. When I contacted him to find out why he hadn't showed up, he told me he had a sore finger. A SORE FINGER!!! FFS!!!! Then I asked why he never informed us of his unavailability, he said he'd posted it on Twitter and Facebook. Give me a break. Maybe if he didn't spend so much time tacking away on his mobile, his finger may not be so sore. I told him next time it would be a good idea if he actually told someone ... like the coach, or his captain. I could sense he still didn't have a clue what I was talking about.
I despair for the future of our game. Rant over. Needed to get it off my chest.