Thursday, March 15, 2007
The World Cup 2007
Well this is the first Cricket World Cup I have experienced. I have 2 Ashes series under my belt now. The team I am following / rooting for is Ireland. They seem to be the best of the associates so far. Here in the USA, all everyone is concerend about is the NCAA Basketball tournament. I can't stand this whole affair, never could,never will. This is by far the most annoying thing to have to listen to at work, on the radio, and on TV. I'm perfectly happy following the WC. I think India is the team to beat and will be suprised if they don't capture the championship. The Cricket season should be starting any week now. I am waiting for the good word from my club as to when nets start.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Here we are again. The long cold dreary off season. England got crushed in the Ashes and the World Cup starts in a few months. My only mission is to become a ferocious, devestating seam \ swing bowler for next season. My club expects me to dominate the opposition with the ball next season and I do not intend to dissapoint them. I have not really stopped training since the season ended and my pace is well over 80 MPH now. I have very good accuracy and am very much focused on mastering the: inswinger, outswinger, leg cutter and off cutter. That coupled with getting some good bounce off the deck should make me a pretty lethal weapon, especially here in the Northeast section of the US. Oop's gotta split I have a 1 hour indoor bowling session tonight. Peace.. The Swami
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
It looks like the good times are back for the USA Cricket Team. They are playing in the WCQL tournament in Canada. What does this mean? The World Cup of Cricket is played every 4 years. It is the premier event of world cricket. The next one is in Feb 2007 and will be played on the Islands of the West Indies. The USA is not in it. The next one is in 2011 and the tourney that the USA is playing in, is the start of their quest to get to the WC in 2011. The teams in the tourney are: USA, CANADA, BERMUDA, CAYMAN ISLANDS, and ARGENTINA. Canada & Bermuda are in the 2007 world cup. Monday the US crushed the Cayman Islands and today they put another beating on Argentina. This Friday the USA will play Bermuda. Both teams are undefeated so it is a great matchup.
I won't go into detail but the state of cricket in the US has been terrible the last few years due to infighting, scandal, rumors, ect.. There has not been much to look forward to so it is great to finally have some exciting, positive cricket to follow here in America.
Had some excitement at our net session last night. We practiced at an indoor baseball facilty where they have batting tunnels. We focus on batting and bowling. One of our guys was batting and a bouncer came in that seemed to graze him across the mouth. It didn't look like it hit him hard but he dropped his bat and blood was coming out of his mouth. The end result was that he almost bit his tongue in half and 4 of his front teeth almost got knocked out. Fortunately they are only very loose but still in his mouth. He's a lucky guy
This brings me to my point. I always wear a helmet. No one on my team wears one and I have only seen one other guy wear one in the matches we have played. At my first practice I noticed no would wear a helmet and I almost gave in and didn't wear it. But I stuck to my guns and wore it and continue to do so. I played football & lacrosse so I am comfortable in a helmet. Last night was a perfect example of why you should wear one. I still don't wear one snowboarding but that's a different argument. You have to remember that before I got on a team, the only Cricket I saw was on the Ashes DVD or video's They all wore helmets and that is the image I had so when I bought my gear, I got the helmet, arm guard and thigh guard along with all the other gear. What did I know, I was just following the examples.
The Cricket ball is an extremely lethal weapon if not respected. Respect it!!!! GO USA!!!
I won't go into detail but the state of cricket in the US has been terrible the last few years due to infighting, scandal, rumors, ect.. There has not been much to look forward to so it is great to finally have some exciting, positive cricket to follow here in America.
Had some excitement at our net session last night. We practiced at an indoor baseball facilty where they have batting tunnels. We focus on batting and bowling. One of our guys was batting and a bouncer came in that seemed to graze him across the mouth. It didn't look like it hit him hard but he dropped his bat and blood was coming out of his mouth. The end result was that he almost bit his tongue in half and 4 of his front teeth almost got knocked out. Fortunately they are only very loose but still in his mouth. He's a lucky guy
This brings me to my point. I always wear a helmet. No one on my team wears one and I have only seen one other guy wear one in the matches we have played. At my first practice I noticed no would wear a helmet and I almost gave in and didn't wear it. But I stuck to my guns and wore it and continue to do so. I played football & lacrosse so I am comfortable in a helmet. Last night was a perfect example of why you should wear one. I still don't wear one snowboarding but that's a different argument. You have to remember that before I got on a team, the only Cricket I saw was on the Ashes DVD or video's They all wore helmets and that is the image I had so when I bought my gear, I got the helmet, arm guard and thigh guard along with all the other gear. What did I know, I was just following the examples.
The Cricket ball is an extremely lethal weapon if not respected. Respect it!!!! GO USA!!!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I'M BAAAACCKKK!!!
Well, Well, Well, here I am back again. The American Cricketer. Next week marks the one year anniversary of the morning I saw the "Inspector Morse" episode "Deceived by Flight." This was the first I had ever heard of Cricket and almost one year later, I have acheived my goal of playing the "real" game of Cricket, with the leather ball. I will keep this brief because guess what, I have a team net session tonight. I remember when I had to ask someone what a "net" was. Yes ,I am on a team and have played matches and IT HAS BEEN 100 TIMES BETTER than I ever thought it would be when I was practicing by myself over the long winter dreaming of the day I could play. I have much to tell and I will share it all with you. Because now I am not an American trying to get into Cricket, I am an American playing Cricket. Peace for now and I will begin to share what has happened since my last update in December 2005. Stay Tuned!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Wednesday, November 30,2005
In an effort to get something going in my area, I sent the following to the Head of Parks and Recreation in Lowell Mass. Hopefully this might garner some interest. I believe it would be a perfect fit
I was hoping you might be able to guide me in the right direction. I believe that Lowell has a unique opportunity as it pertains to the sport of Cricket. In fact, Lowell has a very rich tradition in the sport dating back to before the Civil War along with New York and Philadelphia.
Cricket is beginning to make a comeback in America and the momentum is continually building. Presently,there is not one team of Americans that play in the United States.
Based on feedback I have received from many people across the U.S, It was recommended that I try to assemble a team(s) of Americans that would be the first in the nation and as such, would be the benefactor of much notoriety as well as publicity.
Based on informal surveys and inquiries, I am positive that there would be alot of interest to get this going. Getting the athletes is one of the easier tasks, more challenging would be getting the proper practice facilty and playing grounds.
My ultimate question is, who can I speak with in the City of Lowell to further discuss this extraordinary opportunity for both the sport of Cricket as well as the City of Lowell
Your assistance would be extremely helpful.
In an effort to get something going in my area, I sent the following to the Head of Parks and Recreation in Lowell Mass. Hopefully this might garner some interest. I believe it would be a perfect fit
I was hoping you might be able to guide me in the right direction. I believe that Lowell has a unique opportunity as it pertains to the sport of Cricket. In fact, Lowell has a very rich tradition in the sport dating back to before the Civil War along with New York and Philadelphia.
Cricket is beginning to make a comeback in America and the momentum is continually building. Presently,there is not one team of Americans that play in the United States.
Based on feedback I have received from many people across the U.S, It was recommended that I try to assemble a team(s) of Americans that would be the first in the nation and as such, would be the benefactor of much notoriety as well as publicity.
Based on informal surveys and inquiries, I am positive that there would be alot of interest to get this going. Getting the athletes is one of the easier tasks, more challenging would be getting the proper practice facilty and playing grounds.
My ultimate question is, who can I speak with in the City of Lowell to further discuss this extraordinary opportunity for both the sport of Cricket as well as the City of Lowell
Your assistance would be extremely helpful.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Wednesday, November 22nd 2005
Well, the first little bit of snow finally arrived this morning as I made my way to the gym at the usual 5:00am. It was great to get in a really good workout. I worked on biceps, triceps, forearms and abdominal muscles. I have really been focusing on nutrition as well. Taking in as much protein as possible and it is making a difference. For those interested, here is what the daily ritual has been. Breakfast; 8 egg white omelet on wheat toast and oatmeal, Snacks: dry roasted peanuts and protein bars. Lunch; Boiled chicken breasts and salads. Dinner; is steak or chicken or 1 pound of cooked hamburger. I still have one heck of a sweet tooth so I always manage to have ice cream or cookies or whatever I can find to satisfy the craving. The onset of the cold weather is a bittersweet event for me. The positive is that I can now start snowboarding but the obvious negative is that it means the end of outside cricket practicing which is an unbelievable hardship for me. This entire journey has not been easy to say the least but I have always risen to the challenge and found a way to make it happen. The winter hardship will be no different. I can still train myself physically but as far as practicing I have come up with the following game plan. I will contact various schools and ask permission to use the gym so myself and hopefully some others, can practice our bowling, batting and fielding skills. Most important to me is my batting practice as this is where I fully believe that my greatest strengths are. I know I can be a great batsman. The gyms are more than adequate for this type of thing and I have some good connections so I am confident that I can make this happen. All I really need is just one person who can bowl it to me, that is all I ask but believe me it is easier said than done in America.
Well, the first little bit of snow finally arrived this morning as I made my way to the gym at the usual 5:00am. It was great to get in a really good workout. I worked on biceps, triceps, forearms and abdominal muscles. I have really been focusing on nutrition as well. Taking in as much protein as possible and it is making a difference. For those interested, here is what the daily ritual has been. Breakfast; 8 egg white omelet on wheat toast and oatmeal, Snacks: dry roasted peanuts and protein bars. Lunch; Boiled chicken breasts and salads. Dinner; is steak or chicken or 1 pound of cooked hamburger. I still have one heck of a sweet tooth so I always manage to have ice cream or cookies or whatever I can find to satisfy the craving. The onset of the cold weather is a bittersweet event for me. The positive is that I can now start snowboarding but the obvious negative is that it means the end of outside cricket practicing which is an unbelievable hardship for me. This entire journey has not been easy to say the least but I have always risen to the challenge and found a way to make it happen. The winter hardship will be no different. I can still train myself physically but as far as practicing I have come up with the following game plan. I will contact various schools and ask permission to use the gym so myself and hopefully some others, can practice our bowling, batting and fielding skills. Most important to me is my batting practice as this is where I fully believe that my greatest strengths are. I know I can be a great batsman. The gyms are more than adequate for this type of thing and I have some good connections so I am confident that I can make this happen. All I really need is just one person who can bowl it to me, that is all I ask but believe me it is easier said than done in America.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Tuesday, November 22nd 2005
The Eternal question is “What will it take to get Americans interested in Cricket?” If you ask almost any American about Cricket, most will confuse it with Croquet and the rest will think of Badminton, in either case, they will tell you it is a fancy game played by elite country club type people. I'm sure the word boring will be mentioned. We all know this could not be further than the truth. Because I became interested in the game, researched it and eventually played it, I came to realize what I great sport it is. But sadly, I am in the extreme minority as far as Americans are concerned. To be honest, I had never seen a "real" match of Cricket until I received my copy of the Ashes 2005 3 DVD set 2 weeks ago. Within 5 minutes of watching this, my respect, interest and motivation was increased tenfold. As they say, A picture is worth a thousands words. If I can get my American team assembled, at the first team meeting I will first pass around the cricket ball and then show highlights of this DVD. This will immediately dispel any preconceived notions of Cricket not being a "sport" as well as show the team what they are in for. In other words, this is not a sport for the faint of heart. Believe it or not, American Athletes love this stuff. The more "macho" the game the more they love it. My point is Americans need to see highlight reel type of stuff like the big 6 shot, the fast bowling, the guts of the batter as he stands in the crease knowing he very well could get hit by the ball, the great catches, the camaraderie after every great play act.. I also found a really good cricket website that has a great forum / discussion section it is www.bigcricket.com. Thank goodness for the internet!
The Eternal question is “What will it take to get Americans interested in Cricket?” If you ask almost any American about Cricket, most will confuse it with Croquet and the rest will think of Badminton, in either case, they will tell you it is a fancy game played by elite country club type people. I'm sure the word boring will be mentioned. We all know this could not be further than the truth. Because I became interested in the game, researched it and eventually played it, I came to realize what I great sport it is. But sadly, I am in the extreme minority as far as Americans are concerned. To be honest, I had never seen a "real" match of Cricket until I received my copy of the Ashes 2005 3 DVD set 2 weeks ago. Within 5 minutes of watching this, my respect, interest and motivation was increased tenfold. As they say, A picture is worth a thousands words. If I can get my American team assembled, at the first team meeting I will first pass around the cricket ball and then show highlights of this DVD. This will immediately dispel any preconceived notions of Cricket not being a "sport" as well as show the team what they are in for. In other words, this is not a sport for the faint of heart. Believe it or not, American Athletes love this stuff. The more "macho" the game the more they love it. My point is Americans need to see highlight reel type of stuff like the big 6 shot, the fast bowling, the guts of the batter as he stands in the crease knowing he very well could get hit by the ball, the great catches, the camaraderie after every great play act.. I also found a really good cricket website that has a great forum / discussion section it is www.bigcricket.com. Thank goodness for the internet!
