Depression in Cricket affects the very best as well Phil!

It was pointed out to me by one of my reader acolytes that I hadn't written a blog for a while. After taking time to recompose myself upon learning the fact that people actually read my drivel, I thought about why that was. You see, cricket depression has set in. I am totally over cricket this season. I'm sick of the weather, sick of the cry offs, sick of the washing, sick of waking up stiff on a sunday morning after a marathon spell. But it is none of these things that have tipped me over the edge...

The straw that broke the camels back was .... Newcastle CC 2nd XI. This season we have entered 5 cups. We have got to the semi final or better in 4 of them. We have won 0. This week we threw away two semi finals for differing reasons, essentially we can't string together two good halves of a cricket match - we either bowl well or bat well. In the league we are entrenched in mid table with nothing to play for, and on Saturday we conceded 220-3 in 43 overs... before it rained. Absolutely sickening.

This weekend we travel to Benwell Hill for our final game of the season with... you guessed it.... a weakened side. Squad depth is somewhat shallow. As such, expect the BBC gossip column to be ignited with transfer talk as Hudson goes on a search for more players to strengthen his squad to withstand the rigours of competing on 5 fronts, as well as losing players to prison time (Rowdy), a Segway party (Hirsty) or to watch a girlfriend do a (cancelled) Skydive (Malps.) In reality it is pretty easy to see who my transfer targets are, as they are normally opposition players who I make friends with on Facebook in the months of August and September. We need more bodies, reliable bodies and that will be the focus of my recruitment drive. I can offer prospective players a great ground, good craic and the opportunity to boost their body image by playing in the same dressing room as me.

On a slightly more pleasing note I went through our averages last week prior to any cull of playing staff only to discover that I am top of our bowling averages!! Result. This in a season where I have been struck down with injuries too. Main priority for the season is now to protect this position - some of the lads can expect a long spell on Sat!! I was also delighted to discover that Alex Nicholson, Mr 'If I don't score 400 runs I'll get a Tattoo' has 112 league runs at 12.5. Well batted Alex. He has also cried off for the weekend with a poorly toe, which he injured playing in a 5 a side football match vs Tynemouth CC (arranged when cricket washed out, we got humped).

I wouldn't mind a quick survey to see whether other skippers consider a broken toe an acceptable excuse? Please bell me on Twitter @lovetheturret.

Next week, I am going to conclude this season's blogging by offering a report on my players performance and various end of season awards. Some people need to be concerned (Hirsty I'm talking to you.) Several members of my squad have already briefed their solicitors in anticipation.

Until then,

PH