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THE "CAPTAIN'S LOG..."
With First XI Captain,
Steve Chambers.
UPDATED LAST ON THURSDAY MAY 24th 2001.
Q) A GOOD START TO THE SEASON FOR THE TEAM. HOW DO YOU FEEL THINGS HAVE GONE SO FAR, IN YOUR OPINION?
SC) Everything is going well to press. The players are training and playing well. Although there is still room for improvement, the team is playing positive cricket and winning, which is a great habit.
Q) WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST PLEASING ASPECTS OVER THE FIRST FEW GAMES OF THE SEASON?
SC) There are several pleasing aspects to our start to the season. One of these is the fact that the players have taken on board how I want them to play and how I want them think about their cricket. They have reacted very positively and the team spirit is second to none. This was so evident against Whitehaven in the Daniel Thwaites Meageen Cup game. Another pleasing aspect is how our Professional is playing. Gareth has put a tremendous amount of work into practices and the players respect him for this. He is batting very well, and producing the goods with the ball as well. Thirdly, I am very pleased with the attitude and contribution Mark Bowen has brought to the club. He is very competitive and has fitted into the club and has cracked on without any sign of pretention. He is a great signing for the club. Finally, the emergence of young players such as; Daniel Morgan, David Watson, Ian Buchannan and Nick Mandale bodes well for the future of Cockermouth Cricket Club.
Q) WHAT AREAS DO YOU FEEL STILL NEED IMPROVING UPON WITHIN THE TEAM?
SC) I think we need to work at our batting in the middle-order. This is an area of our game where we have faulted recently and we need to tighten up there. Also our fielding needs to be kept to a good consistent standard, although the introduction of new-blood into the team has sharpened up our fielding.
Q) HOW DO YOU INTEND TO IMPROVE THESE AREAS?
SC) Having competition for places is always a great advantage when you need to improve any aspect. This is because players are focussed on keeping their places and have the right attitude towards either bowling or batting. Giving players the opportunity to know that good performances in the Second XI will mean that they have the chance to be promoted to the First XI, for example with Ronnie Smith. This sends a strong positive message out to both sets of players.
Q) HOW DO YOU BELIEVE THE N.L. & C.C.L. FIRST DIVISION WILL FINISH UP? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT COCKERMOUTH C.C. CAN BUILD ON THEIR GOOD START AND ACTUALLY WIN THE LEAGUE? AND WHO WILL BE THE MAIN CHALLENGERS?
SC) There is still a long way to go, and I've no doubt many twists and turns to come before the climax, but as long as we stay positive and concentrate on what we are good at then we will be in the 'shake-up' at the end of the season. I'm already on record as stating that my focus for the season is to win promotion and take this club into the Premier League. I don't like talking our rivals, but to concentrate on our own performances. This team is playing good positive cricket and I never worry about our opposition.
Q) NOW THEN! WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE AMAZING VICTORY OVER YOUR OLD CLUB WHITEHAVEN IN THE DANIEL THWAITES MEAGEEN CUP AT THE WEEKEND?
SC) The Whitehaven game was a fantastic game of cricket, one of the best I have ever played in. It obviously had a special significance for me because my brother is the 'Haven Captain, and they are a former club of mine.
The team played fantastically well and the spirit was absolutely tremendous. Daniel Morgan's bowling was a revelation, he showed great maturity in a high-pressure situation, and showed everyone the potential he possesses. The 'Haven Professional, Devendra Bundela (Inadia 'A'), was impressed with him, and he is a man who faces some of the best bowlers in the world.
I was pleased with the way our two spinners bowled. Ken White was, as always, excellent, taking three good wickets in a fine spell, and I was pleased with the way I bowled myself as well. All in all it was a really great day!
If we can keep performances up at that level for the rest of the season, then we shouldn't have any problems whatsoever, its just our job to increase our consistency. Time will tell whether we are successful...
Thanks very much, and take care.
- Steve Chambers.
First XI Captain.