Here's a story that might make you think.

Not long ago I was playing in an away match in a team with a lot of younger players. Unusually, I was late and arrived close to the start time. We had already tossed and were about 10 minutes from going into the field.

Nobody had warmed up.

Not a gentle throw on the outfield. Not a few half-hearted slip catches. Nothing.

Now, this was a club 2nd XI game in a lower league: The team was half made of teenagers and the other half semi-retired guys in their late 30s and 40s. So, I wasn't expecting a high performance warm up. Despite that, everyone wanted to win, and a good warm up improves your chances of winning.

So why didn't anyone think to loosen up?

Because the old lags didn't have the motivation, and the youngsters didn't have the confidence. So, everyone got changed and sat around like they were waiting to go over the top in World War One.

What has this got to do with your situation?

I would argue it's a symptom of modern life that we have come to expect things to be organised for us. And that sense of entitlement has taken away the need to take personal responsibility.

We expect a coach to tell us how to play.

We expect a captain to tell us what tactics to use.

We expect a gym instructor to tell us what exercises are best.

We expect someone else to say "shall we have a warm up then lads?"

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a coach, captain, gym instructor or senior player taking the lead. What is wrong is when we uncritically follow someone else because they know better.

The fact is, nobody knows you better than you.

So, if you know you need to bowl a few warm up balls to make sure your first one isn't a wide, then go do it. Forget the moaning guy at the back of the changing room who snides about you trying too hard. He would be the same guy who snarks at you for not trying hard enough if you bowl too many wides.

Be the crazy one who stands up says "anyone got a ball?" and grabs the keeper to bowl a few on the outfield. Be the crazy one who gets loose with a few mobility exercises or even throws a med ball. Who cares if the casuals snicker? They won't when you take a hatful of wickets.

If you can honestly say that you don't need a warm up, and your performance backs that up, then no one can criticise. But the point is that you need to mindfully take responsibility for your cricket if you care even a little about doing well. Take it to the extent you want to take it and never let peer pressure stop you.

• Warm up yourself, without prompting.
• Know your goal at net practice.
• Be aware how much sleep, water and food you need to do well.
• Be comfortable with respectful questioning.

This stuff doesn't have to be complex or difficult.

It's within the grasp of anyone from the kid playing his first adult game to the knarled old 45 year old fed up with playing and only doing it to make up the numbers. The details can vary based on your needs, but the principle is unchanged: Meet your needs yourself.

So, if you were in that changing room knowing what you know now, what would you do?