We’ve all been there as local league cricketers.

You turn up at the opposition ground to be greeted by the sight of the 9ft 9 overseas player sitting listening to his iPod all on his own.

I’ve found this influences team mentality two ways.

You can either resign yourself to the fact that their superstar will open the batting and score a double ton, then after tea decide he wants to open the bowling and hospitalise your top  4.

Or, you can concentrate on raising your game to play against potentially one of the best players you have played against, wonder why they need to enlist the help of someone who is vastly better than the standard being played and wonder what the other 10 players have in their locker if he gets a golden duck from a shooter and develops a side strain after his first ball?

The team with the superstar has everything to lose.

Your mortal side has everything to gain if you overcome the opposition as a team, rather than seeing them celebrate a hollow victory in which they amassed 40 runs and 3 wickets between their standard club members.

At higher levels of club cricket an overseas player is often required just to combat the use of the oppositions overseas player; and the level at which the side plays isn’t such a difference between the level of the player.

In our league we have seen various overseas players enlisted, ranging from Namibian internationals to Antigua’s opening batsman.

All have come, gone, and been replaced by others and still the club is at the same level.

Our club has never bought in an overseas player; and it is something we are all proud of and stand by.

The whole club agrees that we would rather play for our mates every week than feel the need to import an unknown entity who will contribute little to the club off the field.

Of course some overseas players will return year after year and give back to the club the support in which they provided.

These players will then inspire and help others to improve.

But in my experience these players a few and far between.

Personally, I would much rather play with my mates and leave my conscious intact that the introduction of an overseas player did not force out a future international who is simply trying to break into your club’s first team.

What do you think about overseas players at your club?