The trepidations of the season

Well here we are. That glorious time of year again when you begin to get excited about a new season of cricket. To buy a new bat or not? Do the whites still fit? Will some antipodean or other turn up and take my place as 'bits and pieces' player? Can I still bowl the slower one that doesn't turn?

I haven't netted this winter and - assuming the selection gods pick me - I'll be wielding a willow for the first time in ten months this coming Saturday. In my head I have justified this - it'll be alright. Batting is different on a real Scottish wicket - you know the ones where there are lots of mud with bits of wicket poking through hither and thither - than in the nets. I've told myself that my best ever season was the season I didn't net. Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Nets remove the sword of Damocles from above a batsman's head. He can get out endlessly and still bat. What sort of practice is that anyway? And practice is bad enough anyway. There is something unseemly about it. What was it Flanders and Swann said?

'They argue with umpires, they cheer when they've won
And they practice beforehand which ruins the fun!'

Quite. 

That said, hopefully some other Teuchters have been throwing some gravy-soaked pies down at nets whilst other Teuchters have been creaming them around the place. All fine men - strong and true but I will walk out at Hawick and Wilton untroubled by the burden of practice.

Last year the club did well and seemed to miss out on promotion for some administrative reason or other. This blog, I hope, shall provide a view of our journey around the East of Scotland as we battle for promotion. 

We have some new players. We have some returning players. We will miss old friends who won't be able to join us. We will be playing out of a new ground. We are one of the last genuine pub cricket teams in Scotland and that means it is a constant battle to ensure new players play for us. Maybe you want to come and join our merry band of pie chuckers and pinch hitters? Maybe you want to play a few games in Edinburgh? Maybe you want to be a social member and meet us in the pub? All are welcome - from seasoned players to people who have never played the game - and we would love to see you.

Our business now is South.