Hurricane
Well-known member
Hi,
I was unsuccessful at two rep trials in my teenage years, here is my advice so that some young buck who comes across this might do better than what I did.
1) Be one thing or the other and it will increase their perception of how good you are at your chosen discipline. Unless you really are an allrounder. My friend was a rank leg spinner and a complete tail end charlie batsman. I was a decent part time offie and a decent top order batsman. My bowling was strong enough in the trials that it looked like I was an all rounder so they judged me as a batsman who bowls a bit. However, because my bowling wasn't top drawer they deducted points off my total package especially when someone hit me for a boundary. I would have been better off running in and bowling rank medium pace just to send a signal I am not a bowler. My friend by contrast - had a lucky day with the ball so caught the eye, then when he batted he absolutely stank and got out at least ten times. But they liked the fact he was useless with the bat and talked themselves into believing it was a sign he was a very good bowler. That was their logic. Be one thing or the other is the moral.
2) Go for your shots. The selectors are not impressed by a timid batsman who gets a nice not out 6 runs at the end of a 15 minute net. I fell into that trap in the under 13s and under 16s trials. I didn't want to give up my wicket. And I didn't. In fact didn't come close to getting out. But I didn't catch the eye. You catch the eye by hitting 3 or 4 boundaries during your inning. That is what people notice. It is hard though because the bowling you are facing is top drawer, all the best bowlers in the city bringing their A game. But you must put some of it away.
There you go - my theories anyway.
I think the selectors made good decisions, I just don't think I put a good foot forward for myself.
I am not still "thinking" about this - I just like to pass on advice to help people.
I was unsuccessful at two rep trials in my teenage years, here is my advice so that some young buck who comes across this might do better than what I did.
1) Be one thing or the other and it will increase their perception of how good you are at your chosen discipline. Unless you really are an allrounder. My friend was a rank leg spinner and a complete tail end charlie batsman. I was a decent part time offie and a decent top order batsman. My bowling was strong enough in the trials that it looked like I was an all rounder so they judged me as a batsman who bowls a bit. However, because my bowling wasn't top drawer they deducted points off my total package especially when someone hit me for a boundary. I would have been better off running in and bowling rank medium pace just to send a signal I am not a bowler. My friend by contrast - had a lucky day with the ball so caught the eye, then when he batted he absolutely stank and got out at least ten times. But they liked the fact he was useless with the bat and talked themselves into believing it was a sign he was a very good bowler. That was their logic. Be one thing or the other is the moral.
2) Go for your shots. The selectors are not impressed by a timid batsman who gets a nice not out 6 runs at the end of a 15 minute net. I fell into that trap in the under 13s and under 16s trials. I didn't want to give up my wicket. And I didn't. In fact didn't come close to getting out. But I didn't catch the eye. You catch the eye by hitting 3 or 4 boundaries during your inning. That is what people notice. It is hard though because the bowling you are facing is top drawer, all the best bowlers in the city bringing their A game. But you must put some of it away.
There you go - my theories anyway.
I think the selectors made good decisions, I just don't think I put a good foot forward for myself.
I am not still "thinking" about this - I just like to pass on advice to help people.