University of Gloucestershire Cricket Club’s first team captain, Richard Wilson, felt mixed emotions following their bye against Cardiff University in the first weekend of the indoor BUCS competition.
Wilson’s team were expecting a difficult start to the indoor BUCS campaign on Sunday until they received the news that Cardiff University have suspended their cricket team for alleged inappropriate behavior.
Wilson reacted to the news: “We were buzzing for the campaign to start and had a good training session on Tuesday.
“We picked the team expecting a big challenge on Sunday and heard the news.
“We still do get the win by forfeit but we were ready to go really, we had a good squad out, but we’ll look ahead to next Sunday.”
Wilson was quick to not comment on the situation and wants his team to focus on themselves, to get the results in the coming weeks.
“We don’t need to focus on what’s going on there and happening with Cardiff.
“We just need to focus on our process and how we are going to win games in the future.”
UOGCC are enjoying a positive start to the indoor season after winning two out of the first three games in the Cheltenham Indoor Cricket League, which takes place at Leisure@ Cheltenham on Monday nights.
Despite defeat in the opening game against Cheltenham, Wilson’s team responded to the result with back-to-back wins against Hatherley and Reddings and Charlton Kings in convincing fashion.
“I think it’s been a good start to that league season. The first game was disappointing, but the team were just getting used to all the indoor rules but the second game, we were excellent.
“I have been really proud of the team so far. We have come a long way actually.”
Wilson has been in fine form himself, with three retirements to start the season and kicked on to score 50 in last week’s victory.
In reflection, the captain admitted he has learnt a lot from last year’s campaign and has helped him adapt to a different form of the game.
“I never played indoor cricket before last year and I got caught out trying to play outdoor shots, which I still sometimes do now.
“Indoor shots can translate to outdoor shots at times, and I’ve been thinking about how I go about my game and look to score more three’s and occasionally target the back wall if it is there.”
Wilson’s team eventually get their BUCS campaign underway next Sunday against Bristol’s second team, South Wales and West of England at Hartpury College.
