2's throw it away

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2's throw it away

Written by Darren Hall

West Lothian 3's 141 all out
beat
Livingston 2's 115 all out

West Lothian lost the toss and were invited to bat. Livingston put in a solid bowling and fielding display to restrict West Lothian to 142, after 23 overs they had scored 90-3. All bowlers picked up at least 1 wicket each, with Shiv picking up 4.
Miani 9-1-18-4
Anwar 9-1-27-2
Mackay 7-0-17-1
Duvvri 6.1-0-26-1
Clark 4-1-13-1
Hilton 4-0-22-1

In reply Livingston had lost the 2 openers within the first 4 overs Hall joined Bowering at the crease for 12 overs before Hall(27) was caught. Bowering continued batting well but no one had the patience to bat with him, even so at 106-5 in the 31st over Livingston looked well poised but shortly after Bowering scored his 50 he was caught on the same score.
Livingston crashed and burned from 106-5 to 115 all out in 6 overs.

Only 1 highlight for me this week Bobby's 50, feel free to discuss more but skipper is very very disappointed

Comments

0 #1 Shiv 2010-06-28 00:56

Skip, I believe we all share your disappointment.We can definitely talk about the match and see the points where we could done differently and better and below I put my thinking forward. This is no way an excuse but the timing of these thoughts may make it look like one.
There was a fear in my mind after first couple of games that I played but never voiced out because thought it might never happen which is if a chase is left for tailenders(numb er 8-11 batsman) to finish then it is always going to be very very dicey. Reason being none of the last 3-4 batsman have ever been put in that situation. In all the matches so far except last one , chase was comfortably accomplished by top 4-5 batsman. And last 3-4 batsman have always batted when the match is already certainly won or lost.

0 #2 Shiv 2010-06-28 00:56

Here I will give my POV, the way I felt being there with about 35 needed from 15 overs and 4 wkts in hands bearing in mind this was mine ( and all those to follow me) first ever chance to be in a chasing situation like this.First time I was seeing 11 players around me just waiting for me to commit slightest mistake and even enticing me into making one by their chatter. This was entirely different from the 10min batting in nets where the usual practice is to slash at any delivery that is in the slot. You dont get to learn how to read the field placement and make shot selection according to that. I know whatever the field placement had been I would almost certainly done the same shot selection which I did. To go in with the thinking of blocking every ball to me seemed riskier (Almost like in Football, thinking about all out defence after getting a lead).To get off that mind set, we definitely need some coaching, guidance during a match like condition and if possible in a real match.

0 #3 Shiv 2010-06-28 00:57

In simple words a batting rotation policy can be introduced based on the match situation i.e in every match give chance to one of the bottom order batsman to go in the middle or possibly top order. Let them have a feel of the initial 10-20 overs where they can learn that blocking the balls is not a bad idea and can setup their mind to bat more responsibly. This might cause a change in plans for forthcoming matches but might prove to be beneficial, should we find ourselves in a situation like last match. Otherwise this rotation can be applied from next season. Similar rotation in bowling department can also be used but definitely bowling is less of a problem because there you get a chance to improve on every next ball where as in batting if you make a mess on one ball then you may get a chance to improve only in next season if you are one of last 3-4 batsman.

+1 #4 Shiv 2010-06-28 00:57

And to end my long long essay - very sincere apology to Livingston 2nd team for not finishing a job. :-x

But we definitely have more teeth than what we displayed in the last game. yeah!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

0 #5 roddy 2010-06-28 12:20

If I may add my sixpence as well. I too am extremely disappointed at our game on Saturday. It was our golden chance to get closer to WL3 and chase them for the title inthe second half of the season - now we have to wait for them to lose rather than for us to win. On Saturday I do not think we lost the game on our batting although not getting enough runs is always going to lose, I felt we weren't clinical enough in running through their tail and gave them an extra 20 odd runs - that is where I think the game was lost.

Also I would like to apologise for my behaviour at the end of the game when i just 'left'. I was so disappointed and felt that I had let the team down by not putting up at least a fight - but put yourself in my shoes, I never get a chance to face anything else than the opening bowlers coming on to 'mop' up the tail and irrespective of whether I'm out or not the next wicket means you are - i.e. you have no chance to make any difference - that is the frustration especially when you know that you could potentially have made a difference at the end of the 1st innings doing the thing that you are in the team for - not in any way personal comments just a lame excuse ar trying to make myself feel better - and not succeeding - sorry guys

0 #6 Suresh 2010-06-28 12:22

I think we should probably discuss the internal issues in members only discussion board as the match report comment is visible to the entire world.

0 #7 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 12:26

as someone who before joining Livingston was a decent number 8/9 attacking batsmen the answer is just application. when practising, practice good batting technique so it becomes 2nd nature when batting in a game, one can never be caught hitting the ball along the floor(thats rich coming from a man who has been caught 7/9)
It is difficult to introduce someone 'up' for experience as it is all about trying to build a parnership. going 'up' should be based on good performances when the oportunity arises for the lower order to bat.
just a reminder to all that along with playing shots or blocking, a ball can be left on merit especially early in an innings

0 #8 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 12:32

suresh, i would have thought the population at large would have better things to do than read this ;-)

0 #9 Suresh 2010-06-28 12:55

so the skipper has given the go-ahead :-)

.. here is my suggestion/request:

First I would agree with Roddy's comments, I had the same feeling....

Reg Shiv's comments, here is my suggestion if rotation is not a viable option:
We should have quality practice sessions..
We dont seem to face our own prime fast bowlers such as Roddy,Shiv,Rame sh in the nets. Our prime bowlers are most of the time in the 1st XI nets.
If possible,1st XI bowlers should bowl few overs at least for our top & middle order in the nets.

0 #10 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 13:31

my observations with the majority of our dismissals is actually the complete opposite. Yes usually the opening bowlers are ok and can 'get you out' however it is the change bowlers (who are usually awful) that are taking the wickets with poor execution of shots from dreadfull deliveries. By getting our better bowlers giving us a working over will not stop the sloppy shots to bad balls which is accounting for most our wickets. Myself as case in point, all winter nets play in the V looking every inch a batsmen, then the second i get a half tracker in a game i am all across the line.
Roddy i hadn't seen your post in amongst the Shiv monologues, we all felt the same.after i had showered all but Bobby & Faisal had gone,surely a wated oportunity for all to discuss the match while the bitter taste of defeat was still in the mouth.
I certainly have a few things to think about but it is tricky trying to balance winning/developing youth/giving 1's players practice/ and still i believe the most important thing which is all 11 enjoying a game of cricket at the weekend not just 5/6 people doing it all.

0 #11 Spin_King 2010-06-28 13:56

As one of the top order batsmen on Saturday that failed to score any meaningful runs I would like to apologis to the team again. As has been noted we can't expect the middle bottom order to score all the runs as that is what the top order is for.

I do think we need to step back and look at this defeat in the cold light of day. We were playing a team that has been unbeaten all season and while I agree with Roddy we gave them too many runs, that is the lowest score they have made all season long, so that is a positive for me. If we, the bowling fraternity, could work on getting our lines more consistent, we would have saved many a wide/bye down the leg side. To give WL3 their dues their top order were strong, and the fact they were rattling along at 4 runs an over from the start meant we did well to restrict them to 142.

In terms of the batting, it wasn't an easy pitch to bat on as WL found out, and there was some poor shot selection, coupled wth some accurate bowling which did for us.

I would echo Dazza's point about nets - people need to be using the nets as a proper workout rather than an opportunity to slash and hack at everything that comes your way. The one wednesday training where we had 8/9 people and we did practice without a net was a very good session in my opinion and we should try and make best use of those types of sessions.

Saturday was a very disappointing result, but the measure of a team is how we pick ourselves up from the result, take personal responsibility to ensure our team performancs improve and if we do that I know we can live up to our own high standards. It's a long season (weather permitting) and it ain't over till we hear the singing. Come on the team from the Scheme!!!!!!

0 #12 Spin_King 2010-06-28 14:04

Quoting Inzidaz:

By getting our better bowlers giving us a working over will not stop the sloppy shots to bad balls which is accounting for most our wickets. Myself as case in point, all winter nets play in the V looking every inch a batsmen, then the second i get a half tracker in a game i am all across the line.

Didn't Clarky bowl at you in winter nets ;-)

Joking aside I know what you mean - its a delicate balance as you say between facing good bowling in the nets to the bowling we face week in week out, and I guess what it comes down to is patience (Say mr cow corner!). Its easier to get your eye in against the opening bowling if you can stay in than to start by facing the less accurate bowlers and get your timing. Probably why i get so many wickets ;-)

Maybe as was suggested we need to freshen up the order we go in - for me when I was batting with you two seasons ago you were higher up the order and had time therefore to get your eye in against the better bowlers - it has deffo helped me cheaney and Bobby this season.

-2 #13 datsdwaytis 2010-06-28 14:10

Are the players commenting in this section(I'm amazed why Faisal hasn't joined in yet, gotta be busy for a change) coming to nets on tuesday evening?
As a concerned member for the club, I'd like to be a part of the discussion, as I seem there's not much base to the problems rather than petty confusions...

Are the players commenting in this section(I'm amazed why Faisal hasn't joined in yet, gotta be busy for a change) coming to nets on tuesday evening?
As a concerned member for the club, I'd like to be a part of the discussion, as I seem there's not much base to the problems rather than petty confusions...

0 #14 Spin_King 2010-06-28 17:08

Boom-shaka you must have missed my post. I think the issue is that between Div 3 and Div 7 the quality of bowling is very different. Our 1's bowlers are to a man probably the best in the league and its a similar story of our 2's bowlers in Div 7 for the most part. Club nets can be an issue when turnout is high as a rule the 1's haev priority over 2's players in using the nets - that's why we moved to 2's having an optional net on a Wednesday where we get priority in terms of batting.

Dazza's point about the bowling we face in div 7 is quite right, it is variable in quality, erring on the low side of quality, so facing 1's and 2's bolwers in nets does not always prepare you adequately - but that said I am not sure of the solution.

As Shiv said the opposite can also be a problem - but to be fair i think it will be in the minority of situations.

The key to batting in Scotland, and especially on the 'Rigg is to be mindful of driving as when the bounce is variable, and the pitch a bit slower, then all you end up doing is spooning it in the air. So what we should be working on in nets is playing the ball along the ground.

0 #15 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 17:33

despite myself 'chipping in' on the down-beat thread..... I had actually by saying 'my only highlight was Bobby's 50 feel free to discus' or something like that, just left the door open for Clarky to mention his fantastic catch! So as he didn't take the bait 'WHAT A CATCH'.

0 #16 XYDO 2010-06-28 17:35

Having a net where a decent bowler is followed immediately by someone chucking a pie is of no use to man nor beast.

2 ways (of many more) to make nets more effective....

1. throw downs......15 mins in one of the nets to practice technique (using proper coaching), followed by 15 mins facing bowlers. Forget about people who don't bowl in matches spraying the ball around all over the place!

2. take the net away and have people practicing in a more realistic environment - all the slapping into a net and folk saying "that's a 4".....or...."good shot"....is just encouraging people to have a swing - so will hopefully reverse the trend of slapping into one of hitting in a controlled way and having to place the ball between fielders. Hitting the ball as hard as you can has it's place in a frenetic run chase, but careful/controlled placement and hitting the ball along the ground in the long term innings builder. It will also get people fielding properly and BACKING UP THE STUMPS, which has been appalling on accassion. Oh...and here's an idea....how about getting a pair of batsmen, so you can practice running singles/two's...getting used to calling, running the first hard, etc. How many more runs could we have got by running the first a bit harder and turning liesurely singles into good 2s?....enough to win in a low scoring game such as Saturday?

Sorry for the rant, but seeing the nets sessions with no coaches there, no real structure, focus, nor purpose, really frustrates me...and it's a simple thing to get right if everyone plays their part.

0 #17 datsdwaytis 2010-06-28 17:36

seemingly the thread is becoming quite important with the 2's players actively following it.. I can abuse it by informing that last week's game against Grange was my last for Livingston.
I'm going to have to go down to London as my contract's been cut short by Sky... So i'd like to invite players or non-players reading this for a round of drinks.. A round of drinks :-)

on Thursday nets...
Please make yourself available if possible....

0 #18 Clarky 2010-06-28 17:58

i would like voice my opinion first of all i would like to apologise for my bad batting That good only be describe by the term (Village) but i feel the top order should have got the runs (no offence intended)

0 #19 Clarky 2010-06-28 18:03

I think the england method of (Batting Buddies) for those of you that dont know what that is A top order batsman Coaching a lower order batsman OR a club coach

0 #20 Spin_King 2010-06-28 19:30

To pick up dazzas point clarky's catch was amazing given how hard it hit and his position7b

0 #21 Clarky 2010-06-28 20:24

i think i should stay at that position for the rest of the year

+1 #22 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 20:52

yes all year, even when we are not playing. please stay there!

0 #23 Suresh 2010-06-28 22:42

#22 Daz... LoL.. :-)..
btw, i got the msg "you have no rights to add the comment.. blah blah.." while trying to add the comment eventhough Im logged in..
Is it because I was late in paying the match fee? hahaha

0 #24 Shiv 2010-06-28 22:59

Suresh: Its a small bug here. The character limit for single comment is 1K. If you cross the limit then it goves the error message that you have mentioned. I understood it while writing my terse comment yesterday. Nothing to do with match fee otherwise I would not have been allowed to enter a single character.

About practice, I have full concurrence with XYDO's suggestions. BTW can someone tell me who is XYDO?

0 #25 Inzidaz 2010-06-28 23:18

I think this one should be in the 'frequently asked questions' area(if we had one), XYDO is Andrew Wilcock's(young lad,blonde hair,plays in the 1's) Dad or Richard if you like. Now Richard used to be (hence the X at the start) Youth Developement Officer (YDO) so you get XYDO

0 #26 Oliver Tahn 2010-06-29 08:58

I have an FAQ....what was the 1s score from the weekend?

0 #27 XYDO 2010-06-29 09:50

they won........Livi 294ao....Grange got to about 230 off their 50 overs

I'm sure MarkC will put something on the home page soon

0 #28 ak47 2010-06-29 10:01

dunno if am allowed to chip in here :-|

....My suggestion would concurr XYDO s...We have effectively 3 days of a week for practic e..We should be atleast dedicating one of the days in simulating a match..If not once in a week atleast once in a fortnight...If simuating a total game is beyond logistics..atleast recreating a situation should not be...Get players(who are most likely to partner each other in a match..say numbers 6 and 7) to chase small targets.. 30 off 6 overs with bowlers bowing 6 ball overs and with a field set..It not only improves responsiveness to a match situation n gives them a sense of achievement...It allows the skipper and the senior players to advice young chaps microlevel(dont play a cover drive its swinging out)..

0 #29 ak47 2010-06-29 10:01

dunno if am allowed to chip in here :-|

....My suggestion would concurr XYDO s...We have effectively 3 days of a week for practic e..We should be atleast dedicating one of the days in simulating a match..If not once in a week atleast once in a fortnight...If simuating a total game is beyond logistics..atleast recreating a situation should not be...Get players(who are most likely to partner each other in a match..say numbers 6 and 7) to chase small targets.. 30 off 6 overs with bowlers bowing 6 ball overs and with a field set..It not only improves responsiveness to a match situation n gives them a sense of achievement it improves partnership building...It allows the skipper and the senior players to advice young chaps microlevel(dont play a cover drive its swinging out)..rather than ruing outside the boundary in a match...we have done it quite succesfully in colleges

0 #30 Oliver Tahn 2010-06-29 10:13

Quote:

they won........Livi 294ao....Grange got to about 230 off their 50 overs

Yipee.

As the King of Spam correctly stated: Come on the Team from the Scheme.

0 #31 Bobby One Shot 2010-07-01 18:36

I've just found my way onto website so thought would add my comment.

It is clear we were all disappointed by last Saturday's result, as we had a real chance to beat the division leaders. I felt I should have seen it through and was livid with myself for getting out.

But looking back on it, it was a really good game of cricket which could have gone either way. They certainly knew they were in a game and talking to one of their team afterwards they felt they got out of jail. It was also played in a pretty good spirit.

All the ideas re how we practice have merit - the most important for me are when you are in the nets, bat as though you are not going to get out, that includes the mishits which are likely to be caught. Also bowl as you would in the match, practice line and length before speed and be consistent with your action.