Old habits over ‘new normal’ for Waringstown captain Lee Nelson as NCU clubs get season up-and-running

The absence of cricket in its traditional slot within the domestic sporting calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic will come to an end for NCU clubs this weekend across a revamped schedule.

After months of uncertainty followed by weeks of planning and practice, Nelson is far from alone in counting down to that landmark delivery - at which point he expects sporting instincts to kick in and supersede any lingering adjustment issues.

“Despite everything that has been going on leading up to Saturday’s first game, we are all just grateful for a return of competitive cricket and I do believe once everything starts then everyone will slip back into the old focus of just trying to win a match,” said Nelson. “The T20 format and competition structure obviously stand as changes to our traditional league situation but, in truth, I would have accepted five-over games...anything to get back playing.

“The fact we have something to play for means everyone will go out looking to get the win and the T20 format should lead to some excitement.

“I expect us all to approach games with a certain sense of freedom compared to a normal campaign as well, even just due to the reduced timescale of both fixtures and the season.

“Previously at Waringstown we could be out playing multiple games each week over a long period and that does challenge the players from a mental viewpoint as well as the physical.

“Now we can all just go out and enjoy the games in the knowledge it’s a far more condensed set-up but with that same desire to win.

“When we started back no-one knew how the season would pan out then everything seemed to fall into place over the space of a few weeks.

“Now clubs can work towards two trophies and two finals so everyone will go into the games switched on and with full focus.

“We recently held an inter-club match and that was competitive in itself so I’m sure the head-to-head aspect of the season will bring that edge out in everyone.”

Nelson is also keen to embrace the revamped season as a platform for the club’s most promising youth players.

“That is going to be one plus I think over this season, the chance to blood our younger players,” said Nelson. “There was a real concern the impact of a blank season would have on clubs in terms of young players drifting away and older players maybe opting to retire.

“For a club like Waringstown, we cannot compete financially with some of the other clubs, so must develop our own and traditionally that has been a big part of the club’s identity.

“I was given those opportunities and now it is about doing the same for other young players.

“This season presents an ideal way to introduce them into a competitive set-up to gain experience in the right environment within a squad determined to challenge.”

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