For those of a certain generation, the words you have been selected at the head of a letter meant one thing, and one thing alone... the Readers Digest, ever the Jehovahs Witnesses of the magazine world, had gained control over your personal details, and wanted more. Everyone, but everyone, received one of these specially selected letters. The thrill lasted about as long as it took to register the senders provenance.For a cricketer, the first time you read these words marks the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the game, an affair rekindled every time the selection represents a new level of achievement.Theres a point in every cricketers career, however, from casual Sunday player to Test stalwart, when they are no longer the first, or even the 11th, name on the team sheet. This is the point when you first fail to make the cut, and its a little like being dumped. At least the Readers Digest made you feel wanted, unlike the inevitable message which starts with the words Im sorry...From our tentative first net, through to our retirement from the game, most cricketers will play for several different clubs, and the relationships they build with them are in many ways similar to romantic ones. We may play the field, be monogamous (perhaps with an occasional club on the side), work polyamorously by giving several clubs equal attention, or be a bit of a player.Most of us, however, are serial monogamists, playing the greatest proportion of our cricket with one club, until circumstances force us to move on. We might have relocated, or we might have a falling out with one or more of our team-mates. We might dislike the direction our club is taking, or perhaps take exception to a new captains leadership style.Cricket writing is awash with analogies relating club to family, but families have fallings out as well as providing nurturing support, and just like lovers, they sometimes break up, with one party inevitably feeling the pain of rejection.Since I started playing seriously, and not counting one-Sunday stands (of which there have been plenty), Ive played cricket for eight clubs over some ten seasons. Of these eight, I have been a regular - by which I mean I have turned out over ten times - for five. Of the remaining three, one has disbanded and another plays very few fixtures. It was for the latter club that I was awarded my official cap recently. Since I started playing seriously, I have played one particular fixture at the close of pretty much every season, at a very attractive ground in Sussex that loiters in the environs of an old manor house. Legend has it that the strip was imported from Trent Bridge early in the 20th century. One might consider this fixture to be something of a marker - that is, the signal to hang up my boots, strip, sand and oil my bat, and confront the cricketless wilderness that is the English winter. I have played it with the same club, the club I joined when my desire to play was piqued by a jaunty knock of 64 at a casual game (my first foray with bat and ball since school, and still my second-highest score), against the same opposition, for the last eight or so years. With this club I played my first Sunday game, hit my first six, took my first catch, my first stumping, played my first game of league cricket, gained my first coaching badge, captained my first game, won my first club award.This club and I have history.A few years ago I stopped playing league cricket for them, however. I dropped a catch. Then I was dropped from the team and not re-selected for several games. I was approached by another club, who offered me the gloves, and after much agonising, I shifted my allegiance, albeit ostensibly for the remains of that season only. As it happened, an unfortunate series of events ensured that I would never play league cricket for my old club again. But I continued to be a stalwart of its Sunday incarnation.These past few seasons, however, my Sundays have revolved largely around my book, The Country House Cricketer. First came the games I played, then the marketing, and the selling. It takes a whole heap of work. This has meant that I have played less and less for my alma mater. This year I turned out for them just the once. When the email arrived asking for availability for the seasons finale, ever a popular fixture, I indicated that I would love to play.Perhaps predictably, I received a response that began Im sorry...These two words marked, for me, the end of an era. I knew it was bound to happen, but the feeling of rejection was still palpable, the sting still potent. My cricketing world has changed, and like countless players before me, and the countless who will follow, I have a long winter to brood over it. Of course, theres still the end-of-season club dinner, but that would be a little like attending an ex-lovers wedding.Now. Whos up for winter nets? Im available. Cheap Stitched NBA Jerseys . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Cheap NBA Jerseys Free Shipping . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. 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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Eli Manning isnt worried about the New York Giants offense despite an awful preseason.The 35-year-old, two-time Super Bowl MVP has been around long enough to know the preseason means nothing heading into the regular-season opener at Dallas against the Cowboys on Sunday.As far as Manning is concerned, the Giants have practiced well in training camp under new coach Ben McAdoo. Its the same offense that put up big numbers the past two seasons, and the talent is still there, particularly at wide receiver with second-round pick Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz joining Odell Beckham Jr.Still, the preseason was ugly, especially the two games in which Manning played. He was on the field for 12 series and hit 14 of 24 passes for 109 yards, one interception and no points.Feel good about where we are right now and what we can do, Manning said Monday after the Giants started preparations for Dallas. So weve just got to go and obviously do it on Sundays and do it when it counts. And so, I feel good about where we are, how I feel within the offense, the players that we have, and I think well be able to go out there and move the ball.While the preseason was awful, Manning said there are playmakers on the Giants who are going to benefit when the team starts game planning.Beckham has been the Giants go-to guy for the past two seasons, and he should have a chance to be even better if Shepard and Cruz give Manning more options.Manning laughed about his lack of playing time in the preseason.Ive got 13 years of a lot of regular-season games and preseason, playoff games, Manning said. So Ive got a lot of snaps under my belt and, you know, you want to get into preseason and get into a little rhythm, but ultimately the goal is to get out healthy and get used to moving in the pocket, those types of things, but yeah, ready to go now.ddddddddddddOne thing that has not changed for Manning is the excitement of a new season, one in which the Giants hope to end a four-year playoff drought.You dont know what the possibilities are, but everybody starts in the same spot, and weve got a chance to do something special this season, and it starts right here, Manning said. This week, having a great week of preparation and going to Dallas and playing smart football, and well see if we can get a win.Game notes The Giants signed 30-year-old quarterback Josh Johnson and waived middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Coach Ben McAdoo thinks Johnson can push backup quarterback Ryan Nassib. Hes been trained in a version of the system, McAdoo said. He plays with his cleats in the ground, has a natural throwing motion, and has some good experience. ...CB Leon Hall and LB B.J. Goodson are still going through the concussion protocol. ...S Darian Thompson (shoulder) and LB Jonathan Casillas (ribs) practiced on a limited basis. ... McAdoo on DT Robert Thomas, who was awarded to the Giants on waivers: He plays with great energy. Leverage, he stays on his feet. Tremendous balance and he uses his hands well. 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