This time of year is always one of my favourites, as it shows so much promise. The dark, cold winter begins to recede: It is no longer dark when I get up for Work and no longer dark when I leave Work for Home. It also hastens the beginning of preparations for the new Cricket Season.

We started Winter nets three weeks ago, personally I am always very nervous ahead of the first indoor net - I did have a session against the bowling machine with Barry and Rich a couple of weeks beforehand this year - after 5 months without picking up a Cricket bat & playing a lot of Squash instead - I worry whether my Cricket reactions are still the same as they were the previous ''Summer''. Personally I didn't particularly end the season strongly after having the best spell of my Cricketing playing career during June and July.

I'm lucky in that the bowlers are also quite rusty too after 5 months off. The first ball I face is from Adam Smallman, i'm quite happy with this. Despite being one of the most awkward bowlers to face in the nets due to his height and the fact I know there is going to be a decent bouncer bowled at me any minute, it usually takes Adam until about April to 'get loose' ! - luckily he hasn't loosened up by the first ball and he bowls it in a decent area for me, i'm able to hit the ball somewhere towards where I want and all the pre net feeling of nerves disappear.

A lot of club Cricketers are very different in their pre-season approach. Some (including myself) want to get as many practice sessions in as possible, to make sure the techniques still work and 'get their eye in' for the new season if they are a batsman, or get some 'overs under their belt' if they are a bowler. Some - mainly the senior players in our club ! - take the total opposite approach and won't be seen with a cricket bat or ball in their hands until the first outdoor net, or even first match ! A comment about how unrealistic indoor nets surfaces are is a fair argument - as a bouncer indoors will be a long hop in April.

Its difficult to gauge where players are after only three sessions, especially with such a poor turn out for the last of those three. Nick Stewart appears to have put on a yard of pace over the winter and has got me out twice in the three weeks. Toby Smith has bowled with more control then at times last season. Toby will be a big asset to me in the Seconds if he can get his control sorted this year.

I'm captaining the Seconds again this year and hope to be part of a promotion winning side, I think we've definitely improved over my two years as captain so far. I personally don't take any credit for this, and I am lucky in that the number of good players at the club has improved over recent years compared to the mid 2000's. We beat the champions last year and if we can add some consistency this year, I am confident of achieving our target.

The firsts will again be captained by Gary Evans, after two seasons of consolidation following promotion we are hoping for more of the same this year. Gary has grown into the role well, and with Barry Clements hopefully returning from injury this year, Gary will have more support and hopefully more runs at the top of the order.

As the Summer draws nearer, the anticipation for the first weekend in May grows. As a Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, I am now always delighted when the Football season ends and the Cricket takes over !

Steve Wheeler