For Some, Break's A Chance To Relax, While Others Practise Their Hooks

The Sunday Age

Sunday December 14, 2008

DAVID HUSSEY

An unexpected hiatus on Victoria's calendar allowed players to freshen for the second half of the season.

UNUSUAL and refreshing are two words that best describe the past two weeks for the Victorian Bushrangers. The postponement of the Twenty20 Champions League has meant we have all enjoyed a rare period away from the game and an opportunity to rejuvenate and catch up on things for which we normally can't find the time.

We haven't played a Victorian game since the Ford Ranger Cup clash against Western Australia more than two weeks ago and it would be an understatement to say that is strange for this time of the year.

I have done very little in this period. Some work around the home, extra gym work and generally just relaxing has taken up my time and I've been glad to get back in the nets again this week - I'm not good at doing nothing.

Some teammates, however, have been more adventurous and used the time to indulge in other passions.

Skipper Cameron White and Shane Harwood have been chasing snapper on the Peninsula. Both keen fishermen, it seems Cam and Shane have assured themselves a spot in every Bushrangers team for the rest of the year by providing coach Greg Shipperd and Shaun Graf (general manager cricket) with fresh fish. Perhaps I should take up fishing if my form takes a dive.

Clint McKay has made waves with his bowling this season, but he was catching them down at Torquay while others enjoyed the company of family and friends. Some guys continued to work hard in the gym and set themselves for a hectic second half of the interstate season.

One of the other bonuses of not having interstate duties is being able to play for our clubs in Victorian Premier Cricket. In what other sport can you play for club, state and country all in the one season? Moving between international stadiums and suburban venues is a beautiful way to stay grounded - as is lining up alongside some teammates who are professional sportsmen, and others whose efforts are purely for the love of cricket. In different ways these influences complement one another.

Going back to play for Prahran is always an honour. The club has great history, strong values and some of the more dedicated coaching staff and volunteers. Premier Cricket is a strong and historic competition with good depth and some quality players who continue to pressure those in the Victorian squad.

Having played club cricket in Perth, the Victorian model is certainly stronger. One of the major differences is the support structure in place at all clubs. It is not unusual for a club to have a head coach, assistant coach, batting coach, bowling coach and team manager. These roles were filled by one or two people during my time in Perth and having these extra bodies on the ground contributes to the overall strength of Victorian Premier Cricket.

While it is great to play at this level, being a Victorian and sometime Australian representative means there is a certain amount of pressure involved and an expectation that you will destroy opposition attacks.

Teammates, supporters, media and family all expect much from you, however the person most disappointed when you don't deliver is yourself. There is a feeling you have let everyone down and failing to contribute to a team's cause is unpleasant no matter what level of the game you are playing.

One of cricket's enduring elements is that it's always possible to get a good ball early, and the unfortunate assumption that is made is that you must not have been trying. If I am playing for Prahran, Victoria, Australia, I always give my all and aim to win.

This will again be the case when the Bushrangers take on Western Australia at the MCG in the Sheffield Shield game starting tomorrow. WA is quality opposition with a very good pace attack and some of the most exciting and dependable top-order batsmen in the country.

In our last meeting we had one of our more memorable victories with Bushrangers recruit and former Warrior Chris Roger scoring superb hundreds in both innings as we chased down a big total on the last day. Hopefully we can all follow "Buck's" lead this time and again snaffle outright points.

After a rejuvenating break it will be exciting to be at the MCG and wearing the navy blue cap. Most of all it will be great just to be back playing the game.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home