Starting your season is a very exciting time.  It presents you with the opportunity to apply the skills you have worked at and developed during the off-season to make runs and take wickets, catches and stampings.

Getting a good start to the season is the key to setting you up for a big year, as knowing you have put up strong performances early in the year can give you confidence and momentum for the rest of the season.

Here are a few of my tips for starting your season.

• Be patient, you haven’t played a match in 5 months, so easy does it and take your time
• Don’t expect too much.  For example, getting time in the middle early on in the year is a great way for a batsman to get used to batting again and it will help to put you in top form and as they say you can’t score runs from the pavilion
• Relax, remember that everybody will be just as, if not more nervous than you, so relax and enjoy the challenge.  A few deep breaths before you get set to face the bowler or at the top of your run-up can really help to calm you down if you are feeling a bit nervous
• Have a plan.  Batting and bowling in the middle for the first time after a long break may feel a bit strange, having a simple and realistic plan that you can apply will help you through these uncertain times
• Stick to your plan and as above be patient
• Have fun and test yourself to see how good you can be

Good luck

Mark