Here Comes the Summer

If this blog entry had been composed 2-3 years ago I'd be sharing with you all about my pre-season fitness training, weight loss and fine-tune coaching lessons at Essex CC and dragging you all out on the two Sundays after Easter to practise. But this season has crept up on me and I find myself selected for Saturday's opener at home (1.30pm start) against Dunmow (groan). How life has changed.

Here is a potted history from J A Priest from the last blog entry till now.

1. Put business on the market (again)
2. Bought a cliff top hideaway in Kent
3. Had my gall bladder removed (keyhole - piece of piss)
4. Became monogamous again
5. Learnt to cook (seriously)
6. Stopped thinking about cricket

I'm adopting a different tack this year. Rather than agonise over technique etc I'm just going to play and enjoy it. You learn to appreciate things when you have had a bit of a break and without the worry of captaincy or finding players etc I can enjoy my status as 'journeyman'. That is the plan. And this will be one of very few outings for the Sat XI (Jo is away this weekend). Most of the time - if Andy picks me - you will find the lesser spotted preacher on a Sunday, probably idling at deep mid wicket waiting for the skipper to give him a couple of overs just to shut hime up.

I am looking forward to it.

I have a plea. My black and green super-sized cricket bag has gone from the home changing room, which is where I left it pre-tour. Please can it be returned. Full amnesty I promise. I have some spare kit at my London flat but it's all over the place and I'd like to play in my first choice trousers.

James or Charlie, may I please have my Newbery back in time for Sat (via Angus if need be). Will be lost without it. Or with it. I trust it has some nice cherries on it now - thanks.

Glad to see Ali is playing this Saturday -assuming he can fly back from Prague in time (ha ha). I shall enjoy our discussions in the field about whether XTC were better after Terry Chambers left or before. And who else? Steve Oakey, Brucie (excellent - slow bowlers union), Client, Angus and maybe Bomber. It shall be like old times. It shall be like when I first played. A mere slip of a 43 year old. I also think Panther might be playing....or not.... all depends oh STOP IT Jon!).

Well done Angus for laying the patio outside the pavilion (finally....) and for clearing the crap around the big oak tree at 'The Preacher End'. Thanks matey.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday. Angus, I think I fancy bowling from said end, probably after lunch. Number 8 in the order suits me fine.

With love, friendship and respect.

The boy is back.

Preacher xxx