Club
Cricket in UK, a learning experienceIn recent years there is sudden growth of interest in cricketers who have represented a certain level to play for
clubs in England, Australia and New Zealand as an
overseas player. This excitement arouse as clubs abroad started taking players from other countries to play and promote their cricket
Club to the higher division in the league. Internet provides cricketers to contact clubs in UK and Australia. There are also cricket agencies and agents who help to find clubs that are looking for overseas players for the coming season. This makes the job easier for cricketer in finding the right club.
Playing for a County Cricket Club under the England Cricket Board (ECB) demands a lot. A cricketer dreaming to play at the County level has to represent his state in the national championship (at least five matches) or must have played for his country in five ODI’s or one Test. Cricket clubs in UK are allowed to register only two overseas players for a
season under the ECB rules. The clubs can take players from any country on contract basis. If the
player has performs well, the club may extend his contract. A Cricketer, registered to his state association or the country’s cricketing body must seek for an ‘No Objection Certificate.’ Players are categorized as ‘Pro’ and ‘ Amateur,’ it really helps the player to get his payment and a best club to play. One should always opt for lower league clubs if he doesn’t have the knowledge of the level of playing. Most of the clubs seek ECB level II or III certified coaches. The players should take the two-year work permit visa to play cricket in UK. Ambitious players sharpen their skills by playing in cold conditions and against tough opposition. Prakash Palande, former Mumbai Ranji probable has played four seasons in England and now playing for a club in New Zealand as an overseas player. He says, “It’s a great experience playing in England’s conditions and I have learnt a lot from there.”Bowling in English and Aussie condition turns a paradise compared to the Indian pitches that lack in bounce and swing. There are few occasions, many players have returned with a negative note with a bad season and haven’t returned with a satisfactory performance during their season. Barrington Rowland Karnataka Ranji player who represented West of Scotland last season says, “There is lot pressure on the player as he has to perform and the swing makes really tough to score runs.”For a batsman it turns out be is the most testing time. The cold and bouncy wickets in UK sure make the batsmen hard to score runs. The moist weather helps the seamers to shape the ball away and to come in. The green-top wicket in Britain sure makes cricket enjoyable for the overseas player and a place to improve the game. More often players get home-sick too early from the start of the season and the food too changes compared to native. Mental toughness and enormous pressure soaks in through the player on his stay in overseas. There are situations where overseas-players have to get adjusted to the conditions quickly to the climate conditions as prior to the seasons starts. Rohan Menon, Played minor County in Kent said, “I had less time to prepare myself for the season and comparing to Indian conditions it was terribly cold.” Pressure of performing comes on the player. The tension and excitement that runs in the mind certainly doesn’t favour the overseas player.
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