Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2017

33 www.sheffieldcricketlovers.org.uk Sheffield Cricket Lovers’ Society right and me and the coaching team could see why the team had fallen from its previously dominant position. Rightly or wrongly, and only time ever shows the truth on these type of decisions, we decided to go back to basics and build for the future. A new young captain, a drive to be more fit, more athletic, and the retirement of two senior players plus Sarah Taylor having to take a break because of anxiety, followed in the next few months. I would like to add that Sarah’s break wasn’t linked to the decisions but she bravely decided she was going to face up to something that had been plaguing her for a long time. The girls responded really well, worked hard and the mood of the squad started to change. They became more of a collective and less about individuals. How they played against Pakistan was breathtaking. There will be much harder tests to come but they have made that all important start. Our player pool is small and the gap in talent between our 16 contracted players and the rest is currently too big. The new domestic T20 league will help. Only six teams, each with a couple of overseas in it, every game reported properly in the papers, radio commentary and double headers with the men will help bridge that gap. The girls in general don’t know how good they can be. They need freeing up to believe in themselves. They need to learn how to be more resilient - they are becoming fitter, stronger and more athletic. Decision making under pressure will get better if they are physically strong and they keep getting exposed to pressure moments with a proper debrief afterwards. It’s all hugely exciting and very rewarding as we help navigate them through all the inevitable highs and lows. I’m currently writing this in my bedroom in Jamaica which sounds great and is... sort of. Sort of, because we have been hotel-bound for three days because of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Matthew. We are due to play the West Indies in Five ODIs but everything is, as you can imagine, on hold as we wait to see what damage is done. After this series we have a 10 day break and fly out to Sri Lanka for Three ODIs as we look to confirm our qualification for the 50 Over World Cup in England next year. By the time you read this, of course, you will know the result of the weather and its wake. So I’m a lucky man I think. Lucky to have a job that takes me around the world and with a group of young people who are so rewarding to work with. Not bad for a lad from North East Yorkshire. ...we have been hotel-bound for three days because of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Matthew.