It’s really time for cricket? Already??

As they say, time really does fly when you’re not spending every weekend on the pitch.

But really, I know I tease and give the sport some grief however, I wouldn’t be out there supporting the lads if I didn’t enjoy it.

Most of it.

It can be truly heartbreaking when the beginning of the season starts with a result like this… which makes it hard for me as a friend of the team and an extra special fan of a particular No. 17.

However! What I’ve witnessed in the nets and on the field felt different than last season.

I saw catches being made, quick calls for runs, and a higher enthusiasm for the chase.

I heard laughter on and off the pitch, a host of middle-of-the-bat cracks, and cans being cracked.

I felt the team become just that again – a team.

And this is only the beginning of the season. We’re still blowing out the cobwebs, getting over those nervous niggles, and trying to remember what the fielding positions are called. (Don’t even look my way.)

So for me, I’m counting this match as a success.

It’s one of those whole ‘journey versus destination’ type vibes that sounds like complete bollocks but isn’t that what friendly cricket is all about? The love of the sport? The enjoyment of the game? The people you get to spend time with?

That’s what it’s about for me.

Yeah, it stings. Yep, we’ll get over it. And now we turn our focus to Sunday.

Our first 40 over this season which will be filled with bitching (Col) and moaning (Mitch) with lots of laughs (Me) and a trial run for Mr. Deputy Captain (Neil).

Ahhh, Summer is back at last.