You smell cut grass for the first time…
The sun has started to shine more and ground staff up and down the country have jumped into action.
The unrivalled smell of freshly cut grass with a hint of petrol fills the air and this is without doubt the starting klaxon for the summer of cricket.
You start the search for your kit…
Up in the loft? Deep in the garage? Covered in cob webs in the shed?
Remembering where you stored your kit for its winter hibernation is often only half the battle. Will it be a pleasant reunion, or will a much-needed pre-season clean be in order?
You start to pay more attention to the weather forecast…
Suddenly the weekend’s weather becomes far more important.
A dodgy forecast and it’s a nervous wait until Saturday morning before pulling back the curtains. A forecast for sun and it’s a week of dreaming about what might be…
Someone mentions outdoor nets in the group chat…
It’s been a long winter of idle chat, memes and GIFs but finally the time has come for that famous old question to drop.
You could probably have guessed who was going to ask it. ‘When do outdoor nets start?’
You find yourself internet searching for hand warmers...
Those early season games mean chilly hours waiting in the outfield so before you're stuck shivering at fine-leg it's time to get searching for those hand warmers.
It's best not to annoy your bowlers so early on in the season so keeping the palms warm becomes essential.
You start to sharpen your scoring pencils...
It doesn't happen by magic. The perfect page of scoring which adds up perfectly, is colour co-ordinated for each bowler and not a scribble or rubber mark in sight.
As the first matches edge ever closer it is time to put your scoring equipment through its pre-season MOT.
The search for replacement cricket spikes begins…
When those games in late September come round you’re lucky to still have more than half a dozen remaining in your pair of boots.
The season ends, the boots go straight in the bag and the task of replacing your spikes is there waiting for you in April.
That feeling of optimism for the summer ahead takes you…
You’re back with your team-mates, you've oiled your bat and the ground is looking a picture.
The first hundred, the first five-for or maybe even promotion awaits. What could possibly go wrong? This is your year.