PLAYING NO STROKE

Nothing ventured, nothing lost.

Welcome to playing no stroke. Thanks for coming. When I got the cricket bug at 37 and wanted to learn how to play I asked google but google said "Ah you've got me there." Now, at 41, I'm an unremarkable bowler and a poor batsman but there can hardly be a more grateful, happier player. I'm  amazed to find myself here and thankful to the many generous people who have helped me to try.  

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As cricket buffs will know 'playing no stroke' describes an LBW dismissal where the batsman is judged to have made not attempt to play the ball. It reminds me how easily I could have allowed my pathological sports phobia prevent me from even trying. If you are struggling to find the opportunity to play, or to learn how to play you are not alone. Don't give up, but do get in touch, whether cricket is your sport of choice or not.

ABOUT PLAYING NO STROKE

Everything about getting into cricket was easy. I watched the 2015 ashes having taken a passing interest in every ashes series since 2005 and I suddenly thought to myself, this would be so much better if I understood what was going on. So I found out what was going on and the more I found out the more hooked I got. It was exactly like falling down Alice's rabbit hole, if it had been well greased. I was 37 and I devoured everything, technical information, cricket history,  Wisdens old and new.

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I also tried playing because fundamentally there was something about the appetite of my particular obsession which was not going to be met by just watching and reading about the minutiae of the game. This was where things got trickier. I was woefully bad at everything. A lifetime of avoiding sport came home to roost. I spent some time with a fantastic coach one-to-one because I was too ashamed to attempt to bat, or even worse, bowl in front of anyone else. That was huge for me and without it I don't think I'd have made it any further. The next few years were a gradual process of demolishing the barriers I'd created. 

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I am now doing something I never thought I would by playing the sport I love, occasionally even in front of other people. I love bowling with a total passion, I love the connection it gives me to the game I love watching. I want to share the experience in the hope that it inspires someone to do the same, to overcomes obstacles, some of the most powerful of which we create for ourselves.