Your Cricket Is it too late for me?

[liamr]

Ok, bit of a different post here (Skip to the 3rd paragraph if you do not care for a back-story).

Let me start with a bit of back-story. I have watched and played cricket since about 10 years old, never played for clubs or anything of the sort, although I had wanted to. I had been told by my dad (who, quite the opposite, had played lots of club cricket) that I was really good at batting (I'm more of a batting all-rounder).

Anyway I've gotten to the point where I have just turned 18, I'm in my second year of college and I'm just about to go to university to study law, all this time I have played quite a bit of cricket with my brother and some of his mates. but after sitting and watching the ashes this year I cannot help but regret the fact that i did not get more involved in cricket, Regardless of whatever happens in the next year I have decided I am definitely going to play cricket at university.

Anyway, what I am asking is, in your opinion, have I left this too late to have any chance of playing professionally? while I understand I have next to no chance of playing for England, I would love to play for my county (Essex) if I end up being good in Club/University cricket.

 

[barmyarmy]

Well there's no way we can answer that without knowing how good you are but the main reason to play cricket is for enjoyment not so you can play at the top level.

 

[liamr]

Well there's no way we can answer that without knowing how good you are but the main reason to play cricket is for enjoyment not so you can play at the top level.

Thanks for the reply, I understand that, and don't get the wrong end of the stick, as I said, regardless of what happens in the next year, I plan on playing cricket at university simply for the entertainment, I was only asking this question because I would like to keep my options open, I love the game and was just thinking of how amazing it would be if I was doing it as a living. it's simply just something to possibly set my sights on.

 

[barmyarmy]

I'm sure there are people who started late and didn't get all the coaching as kids. Depends how much talent you've got and how hard you're prepared to work.

 

[Insomniac]

I'm sure there are people who started late and didn't get all the coaching as kids. Depends how much talent you've got and how hard you're prepared to work.

Second this.

Even in a country of Pakistan, where they rely so heavily on youngsters coming through the U-19 circuit, people can and have started their careers very late.

Misbah-ul-Haq played his 1st first-class match at the age of 24; which is late by even English cricket standards. He was in school, hence why he did not start his career earlier.

In the end, you could be 50 years old -- if you are good enough, then no one can ignore you / your performances / credentials.

 

[ethybubs]

WG Grace played first-class cricket until he was 60.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

cricket is certainly a bit more forgiving of a late starter than a lot of sports, I can think of a few players, Yadav and Irfan who are said to only have taken up the game seriously at about 20. I would think you would need to be mental good though, but why the hell not give it a bash?

but even if you don't you could still be heavily involved, and who knows, if being a player isn't in your destiny, play and muck in enough and perhaps you could become a professional level umpire (taufel never played beyond club cricket level) or perhaps a coach (andy hurry who was the first team coach of XI played some cricket when he was in the army and that's it, I reckon it's something that will get more and more common too, as it is in football)

 

[Jine]

Don't stop it dude. give your maximum try.

My dream was, to become a part of Indian team.
I used play at 3 years old. And started going for cricket training at the age of 7. But couldn't continue at there (hyderabad) because of some family problem. I remember the day I left Hyderabad. something which I learned from it is ,money was the problem. ,poverty. I'm 18 now. I still have the helmet, batting glove with me.That was my fathers gift at 5 years old .My dream is dead. cant stop studies, need to build up the family.

But I think England is the place of opportunities. I think if you can hardly train ,then you can be a part of essex. When there is a will, there is a way. Hope you will do your best for it. goodluck.

 

[LeoRahi]

I'm sure there are people who started late and didn't get all the coaching as kids. Depends how much talent you've got and how hard you're prepared to work.

100% right

 

[greymatter776]

Ok, bit of a different post here (Skip to the 3rd paragraph if you do not care for a back-story).

Let me start with a bit of back-story. I have watched and played cricket since about 10 years old, never played for clubs or anything of the sort, although I had wanted to. I had been told by my dad (who, quite the opposite, had played lots of club cricket) that I was really good at batting (I'm more of a batting all-rounder).

Anyway I've gotten to the point where I have just turned 18, I'm in my second year of college and I'm just about to go to university to study law, all this time I have played quite a bit of cricket with my brother and some of his mates. but after sitting and watching the ashes this year I cannot help but regret the fact that i did not get more involved in cricket, Regardless of whatever happens in the next year I have decided I am definitely going to play cricket at university.

Anyway, what I am asking is, in your opinion, have I left this too late to have any chance of playing professionally? while I understand I have next to no chance of playing for England, I would love to play for my county (Essex) if I end up being good in Club/University cricket.

A best example is pravin Tambe(Google it if you dont know who he is)He is 42 years of age and made his IPl and CLT20 debut recently.Currently he made Ranji trophy debut.This clearly shows that you can start a career irrespective of your age.

 

[Badzi87]

Never too late mate, go and play you're heart out and enjoy it. If you are good enough to be at a level in which you can succeed to make it then go for it.

 

[Abhil]

Better late then never.You are still young.You are not late.Just join a club and start playing cricket.You will get good coach there and hence your game will improve.No one can become cricket in single shot.It takes time.If you want to be a cricketer you have to join club.