I am the President of the Old Haileybury Cricket Club. We are the Melbourne Cricket Club Club XI Division 2 Premiers 2015/16. I am proud of my boys.
I never really did much in my role. I organised: grounds for our home games, match balls and drinks; I carried to our ground: marquees, match balls, drinks containers, cordial and spare whites; I sent messages: asking for availability, informing players of match details, advising of foods to bring for tea; I entered into MyCricket: team selections, match results and player scores. I am the treasurer. I was a selector. I am a scorer. I didn’t do much. Am I right?
Many asked why I wasn’t playing. Injury played a large part but the reasons above played its part too. It was suggested I ask for help while others said in my role, I didn’t have to do it all. Both valid however they seemed to neglect the logistical nightmare it would be not to mention if it went wrong, I would have to deal with it. It was a headache my shoestring hamstrings could do without. I was better off. The team was better off.
****
My role is to let the players play! They say learn from the best. They say follow the examples of Cricket Australia, the BCCI and the ECB. They say learn from James Sutherland, N. Srinivasan, Giles Clarke or my predecessor.
I did not. I learnt from the worst. I learnt from Dave Cameron and the West Indies Cricket Board. He is marred by numerous player disagreements and fallouts. The players have forfeited an entire series. The players cannot play. The players do not have peace of mind.
Let the players play. Let them express themselves. Let them play without worry. Let them be good and they’ll make you look good!
Here is my rationale. This is the role of the club official.
****
Doing my best to ensure player comfort for 25 players is a task. There were plenty of rough moments. There were player disagreements early in the season. There were selection conundrums. All I can assume is they are part and parcel of the club official. I stepped down as a selector. Headaches I could do without. There are other things that needed my energy.
Let’s not mince words, being a club cricket official is a thankless task.
Winning silverware is my thank you!
