FORMER Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said: "A week is a long time in politics."

I have discovered cricket is similar this week.

At the start of the week, there was a devastating blow when one of the young players I'd earmarked as being a main player in the team was tempted away to another club.

Then, at Tuesday night's training session, I walked on to the ground to see the outfield sodden and unrecognisable from the previous season.

It may be down to the after-effects of a deluge of rain this winter as well as the club trying to raise extra revenue by providing a rock concert, bonfire and football camps to the local community.

Selection was brought forward and both the first and second teams were picked.

I had my XI on paper before phone calls and emails meant I had now six players.

"I'm injured", "I'm minding the kids", "The ex-wife won't allow me to play" – I have heard all the excuses.

I wondered what I had let myself in for.

I'd arrived on the ground full of optimism at 6pm, it was now 8pm and any enthusiasm had been all but drained from me.

We scrambled around, more phone calls were made and favours called in. It was now 9pm and we'd scratched an XI together.

Then, in the middle of the week the phone call I had been expecting came. The groundsman told me there was no way the ground would be ready by weekend despite the scheduled heatwave.

Although disappointed I had to agree with his decision.

I rang our opponents who explained I had to email the league to inform them the game was off.

I must say the officials from the GMCL and our opponents were a credit to the league and their club – they were very helpful and informative in helping out a novice to the league.

I'd like to give my thoughts on young players moving clubs as I am dead against it unless parents and said child feel it's right for them.

If it has been put in their heads by a coach, official or club member of another club cajoling them I personally find these acts deplorable.

I spoke to a senior official in the county last year about this and I must say I was shocked and saddened by his response, blaming the club losing the player rather than vice versa.

I hope now, through the subsequent organisational restructuring of the county board, these matters will not happen as frequently without investigation.

I did manage to watch some cricket last weekend and by Sunday the new MCC player conduct rules had started to take effect.

A bit of commotion on the field resulted in the umpire shouting: "Level Three" while winding his right arm round profusely like a windmill.

The batsman had been sent off, which had us all getting our phones out to google what a Level Three offence was. We could only assume it was something he had said to the fielding side.

I'm all for giving the umpires more power, for greater respect to them and the opposition but I just hope it doesn't take some of the passion out of our game.