Get busy living or get busy dying

The biggest news coming out of England's bounce-back win over Pakistan at Headingly this week wasn't the fact they actually won a game, it was man of the match Jos Butler's reminder to himself on the handle of his bat.

It's seems inconceivable that a man of his talent would need a written cue to remind himself how good he is but given the biggest opponent you face on the cricket field can often be yourself, the two words at he wrote make sense.

In writing 'Fuck It' on the top of the handle, Butler said in corresponding interviews:

"I think it’s just something that reminds me of what my best mindset is – when I’m playing cricket, and probably in life as well. 

‘It puts cricket in perspective. When you nick off, does it really matter?

‘It’s just a good reminder when I’m in the middle, when I’m questioning myself, and it brings me back to a good place.’

Butler's attitude is a good one to have especially if you're not having a good run of form although going into the game with too much of an 'I don't care less attitude' could be counter productive.

No doubt, Butler has the help of top Psychologists in order to get his mindset right for games, a privilege not available to the majority of club players but he is right, is nicking off or being smacked around the park that big a deal?

Probably not, but if you're not having the season Simon Holliday is having perhaps you might think different.

We're all different so not everyone can take a Buttler's attitude on the pitch.

I doubt very much that Alistair Cook could, Mike Atherton admitted he couldn't in an excellent column in The Times this week.  

Being true to yourself is what's important but finding out who you are can be the tricky bit.

The Shawshank Redemption can help. A film based on friendships, injustice and hope, an examaple of how going into a game with a laissez faire approach can assist you when all seems lost can be highlighted when Ellis Boyd Redding goes up for Parole for the final time during his sentence.

His best friend has gone, all hope seems lost, he goes in with a different approach.

 You can compare his efforts below.




The film is full of great quotes, some motivational others more reflective but one quote rings true:

 'Get busy living or get busy dying'.

 Make of that what you will.

 Team of the Week:

  1. Tom Mansbridge (Saundersfoot) 113 not out v Haverfordwest 2nds
  2. Simon Holliday (Haverfordwest) 111 not out & 3-43 v St Ishmaels
  3. Richie Adams (Narberth) 106 not out v Whitland 2nds
  4. Daniel Sutton (Cresselly) 99 not out v Whitland
  5. Gino Cleal (Johnston) 87 v Kilgetty
  6. Dylan Blain (Whitland) 85 v Cresselly
  7. Steve Smith (Llechryd) 85 v Stackpole
  8. Tom Arthur (Cresselly) 7-47 v Whitland
  9. Brad McDermott Jenkins (Lawrenny) 5-19 v Neyland
  10. Matthew Johns (Narberth 2nds) 5-10 v Llanrhian 
  11. Shaun Whitfield (Carew)  5-8 v Pembroke

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