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Post by doctorjim on Feb 2, 2015 22:09:47 GMT 10
I'm going to give a detailed account of one cricketer's career from start to finish. I hope you enjoy following along!
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Post by doctorjim on Feb 2, 2015 22:20:44 GMT 10
I've come across this little prodigy of a cricketer. The name's Kevin, no... Keith. Keith Cooper. He's been tearing up the junior leagues and now he's in second grade cricket at the ripe old age of 14! Definitely one of the best I've seen, that's for sure. You never do know how they will pan out, but I guess that's why I love being an agent. That and the money. But mainly the panning out thing. I'll give you a quick rundown. A Darwin lad, he's just getting some shine here now and I imagine soon he'll be moving on to bigger and better pastures soon with my help. He was always the number 3 bat for his junior team and their leading wicket taker too. Very talented. Left-handed bat, sound defensive technique and a very expansive stroke player when his eye is in. He bowls right arm off spin. Very accurate, and knows how to get the ball to do just enough.  Keith at his local ground last year.He's got a good all round combination of cricket skills, mental and physical. Definitely got a great cricket brain, very cricket smart. The heart and soul of a team, thrives in big moments. He's just come off back to back junior championships, scoring 95* and figures of 2/9 off 14 overs in the most recent final. He's very sure of himself, bordering on arrogance, but you need that, don't you? It's good for marketability, at the very least. Athletically, he's a touch weaker. Good reflexes and agility, but average strength.  I've just received an email from my boss at Cricket Australia, he's got a little checklist for me!  Better get to it then! |
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Post by doctorjim on Feb 3, 2015 0:26:42 GMT 10
WEEK 1 I got him to work on his batting, just basic sort of stuff until we get a head coach. I feel that the team will be going to use him more as a batsman. When we do get a head coach we'll work on the arm ball a bit. He's playing for the Mandjurra North Emus CC 2's this year. First match he did okay. Coming in to bat with the score at 4/55 off 18 overs, he steadied the ship a little bit. He scored a handy 25 off 52 before being caught at point. As for bowling, he got 1/38 off 9, being the only spinner in the team today. Not a bad start, but we're all keen to build on it. After the match, I got an email about a batting workshop next Tuesday. My budget is down $289 but hopefully Keith gets something out of it. WEEK 2
Still working on batting this week, hopefully it pays off on the weekend. The workshop was a success, his square cut especially looks a bit better. In other news, I've had a good development recently: I'll be getting match stats including wagon wheels from this week forth so I'll just hand those on to you guys to check out which should be a bit easier. Not his best game today. Came in with the team in a stronger position, he was looking solid, even crunching a big lofted cover drive that just cleared the rope. He went out only 3 balls later though, LBW to one that didn't turn. First 6 for the club though! Bowling was a bit better than last week, no reward in the form of a wicket, but he put the ball in better areas. 
WEEK 3
Got a head coach! Only $50 a week so he's cheap as chips. Just a guy from the 1's at the club who's willing to give us a few hours here and there each week. We're working on his arm ball and batting basics - stance, defensive technique and driving - for the next few weeks. High intensity, make him really work and get to the level of the blokes around him quickly. Bowled first this week, he's getting less overs because the team's primary spinner is back. First 50 for the club today, really special moment for Keith! A good, busy innings and he never really looked like getting out until he did. A quick yorker did him this week.
WEEK 4
Keith turned 15 on Wednesday. Not much else to report, really. Another start this week, with 11, but he is having trouble protecting his stumps at the moment. Out bowled, again. Only one over bowled today as well. He's not too down though, still riding the high of the week before. He knows now at least that he can hang with the big boys. Just needs to focus on staying in. 
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Post by doctorjim on Feb 3, 2015 1:07:57 GMT 10
WEEK 5
Looking good this week in training. Arm ball is definitely improving, and defensive technique especially is looking great. Another 50 this week, this time a team-high 64 off 58! Played the ball exquisitely off his legs today, his best being a flick through mid wicket that got to the boundary in about 2 seconds. Short balls got on him today though, edged one playing a rash cut over slips for 4. Two overs later he tried to defend the short one, edged it through easily enough to 2nd slip. Also got a much-needed wicket today, a nice stumping. A little expensive though, which does need to improve.  WEEK 6
He's remembering to keep busy while he's at the crease; his last few knocks have been quick. Solid start batting at number 5 this week, didn't capitalise though after getting caught at gully trying to drive it through covers. He got carted with his off spin. 21 off 3 before the captain took him off.  I feel I've worked on the arm ball enough for my requirements. I'll change the training regimen, start working on off breaks, glances, cuts and pulls. WEEK 70/37 bowling this week, from 8 overs. It is early days but it looks as if he will have more success as a batsman in the higher grades, as I suspected. Another innings, another start for Coops this week. Raced to 35(27) with a 6 over cover point the highlight of the innings. Caught at mid wicket trying to turn one through leg side, it popped up a bit. Unfortunately I didn't grab the wagon wheel this week. WEEK 8
Out for 2 off 3 this week, first ball played to mid on for a single, second ball played to mid on for a single, third ball bowled off an absolute jaffa. Pitched just a hint shorter than the two before, it seamed away, beat the edge and just clipped the top of off. Nothing you can do about that. Returned his best bowling figures this week, which is deserved after the hard work he's been putting in at training. 
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