Senior Second XI
This year the 2nd XI is going to break with tradition by being run by a “cabinet of all the talents” the de facto leader though being Mike Pugh who still has the enthusiasm for the game personally but more importantly for bringing on the next generation of cricketers.
Evo recently caught up with him for a quick Q&A on the season ahead:
At last, a winter not unduly affected by Covid19. Without that distraction how has winter nets gone?
Winter nets have been well attended and it has been great to see several younger players and senior players. Hopefully this is carried out to outdoor nets on the wonderful facilities that the club have.
The challenge of getting out of a division which only has one up one down will always be a big one especially depending on how many 1st XIs are in the division. With that number reduced this year. Do you think the 2nd XI squad is capable of winning the division thus crucially the gap between the XIs in the club?
Winning the league would be a big achievement and not really where I see the focus. As a club we must encourage the younger players to enjoy the game and at the same time hopefully extract the skills they have to become better players.
Just to pick up on the gap, which is by no means unique. What division ultimately does the club see as the “holy grail” for the 2nd XI?
No Holy Grail or target.
Turning back time (in a sense), the Brockman Cup the oldest of the traditional local cup competitions, although it now embraces many modern aspects of the game, The Rec will always be its spiritual home. Despite this, remarkably a 45 year drought in the competition. How do you think the 2nd XI will do in it this year?
Wonderful competition with great history so every year it is the aim of TQCC to make the semi-final / final and therefore play at the Rec.
Following on from the above, despite the club’s desire to win the Brockman Cup. Over the past few seasons, the club has tried to blood a youngster as captain. Is this likely to continue in 2023?
Yes the last few years have been used to give a young captain the opportunity. /The game is changing in that format and they have great ideas. Always open to this and the door is not closed.
Finally, with Churchill’s quote, “never in the history of mankind…” in mind. If a volunteer is willing to step forward either on an ad-hoc or regular basis. How could they assist the 2nd XI in 2023 and beyond?
Wow, so much that any volunteer can do, too much to say. We would have open arms to any help.
