Blessing To The Spiritual Batting Gods

Eagerness infecting Lions all over with double figures active as arrive at 5pm. Development King Phil (DKP) now fully recovered from his recent Sidhu experience in mobile recovery, had opened the gates and stood back from the rush of Lions streaming towards hard wicket central. Early indications of the impending arrival of the Spiritual Batting Gods.

Technician expert Joyce had Panasonic alone to progress the ability of hitting with purpose from around the cranial zone, skim off the carpet with venom those smooth rocks.

Machine getting the complete workover by Tom Tom and Cat Shagger - must be GF week as totally out of normality to observe the Cat Shagger with so much obvious joy in his demeanour. Junior Cat Shagger, now completely out of external excuses for not attending training, with a purpose seen occasionally, working on a new stance set up - always happy to support and oblige when intent is evident. Maybe the presence of AJ Ninja, fresh from the exhilaration of Dilshan walloping of the Yaarpies, inspired him to this standard.

In Sri Lanka, Dilshan has become god like through recent success with little apparent disruption post the Jayasuriya / Attapatu era, but probably overlooked by many is that he is nearly 33 years old having playing his first test in 1999. Testament that to achieve ultimate success can be a long road and never ceasing from reinvention for improvement.

Fireman Motschall joined in as a throwing partner leaving only one net for bowlers allowing all batsmen to be padded up and rotating through all four. Skipper Dick and Panasonic transferring to the No 2 grass surface for an alternate challenge. Gradually the numbers increased and rotations became more frantic with ball sets down to two as Fletcher, CB and Blyth looked the most impressive with consistent striking quality and placement.

Banter around the group of the Fantasy League competition launched, much conjecture at some of the values and team structures. It can be disclosed from the InteractSport Gate Keeper that the performance rating is based upon all of the player performance records that are on MyCricket over every season they have played. Therefore the higher the number, the better the rating etc. So far over twenty entries received including many from non playing connections further proving the interest in the Lions from all over.

Light gone and some of the hitting standard deteriorating to careless slogs, group assembled with Skipper Dick delivering the knowledge that for thorough preparation batsmen need to hit balls from grass surface types as well to present a proper challenge to technique. Warren Ayres became the reference point from personal experience. Not a better example could be given as the all time leading runscorer with 15,277 runs @ 42.43 is on a validated pedestal of substance in this competition.

Senior group went their own way with fielding ring and running to finish, some stayed longer to work on ground fielding drills. All others moving to the mid week version of Shinty Stadium for hand / eye, bat / ball skill development drills. Good enough for Bradman, Chappell and Waugh - then it should be good enough for Lions when listening! (consider this a final spray TMc with all politeness).

Catching pairs complete, power position reviewed with balls dropped at shoulder width and toes pointed slightly inwards to become lower in body position checked. Obi Wan confessed he had not yet researched Star Wars but that he was enjoying reading the "Thingo", progress is slow but we are all patient.

All instructed to gather around the perimeter of Shinty Stadium to reflect upon the willow weapon we are each blessed with as the time for batle draws nearer. Love the willow, be at one with the blade, prepare to spend as much time possible together in a meaningful embrace for the romance of competition is about to arrive. Kneeling before the bat, forehead lightly touching the willow, blessing and mental offerings presented for the good times together ahead.

Basic level of Shinty tricks tonight, ten minutes of continued control without error the expectation. Movement around colored cones, stop ball to stillness, minor concentration distractions as on completion some of the bowlers expressed forearm soreness. The batsman of substance recorded around four errors but comfortable in handling the physical demands. Body contact introduced, back to back with motion direction and then finish with Indian File around the stadium - acknowledgement within several that hand / eye control can be mastered in various forms.