Cricketing Tips

Walking in with the Bowler

1. As a fielder, unless you are the keeper or in the slips, you should be walking in toward the batsman as the bowler runs into bowl.
2. You should mark a spot on the field, and take 4-5 steps toward the batsman as the bowler gets near the crease to bowl.
3. This helps you react quicker to a shot the batsman plays, and gives you a better chance to stop the ball and save runs, or take a catch.
4. If you are slips, you don’t walk in, but crouch in position as the other fielders are walking in.

Back Foot Defence

1. Move your back foot back and across toward off stump.
2. Move your front foot back and in line with your body.
3. Have your head in line with the ball.
4. Have your front elbow high, top hand firm and bottom hand relaxed.

Bowling an Outswinger

1. Have the seam upright and pointing in the direction of first/second slip.
2. Have the shiny side of the ball facing the leg-side of the batsman.
3. Have your wrist behind the ball (closer to your body than the batsman).
4. Release the ball from the index and middle finger, using the wrist to put a little bit of backspin on the ball.
5. Follow through with the arm across to the other side of your body.

Bowling an Inswinger

1. Have the seam upright and pointing toward the fine leg fieldsman.
2. Have the shiny side of the ball facing the off-side of the batsman.
3. Have your wrist behind the ball.
4. Release the ball off the middle fingers.
5. Use your wrist and fingers to put backspin on the ball.
6. Follow through down the side of the body.

Batting the start of your innings

All batsmen have nerves when they first stride to the crease if it be opening the innings or batting down the order. My advice is to get a routine my routine varied only slightly depending on where I would be batting in the order but from the moment I walked on to the park it didn’t change.

Firstly was to play a couple of forward defensive shots as I walked out.

Second was to meet the batting partner where you get advice on what they might have seen while they have been at the crease and depending on where the games was at would quickly make plans or reinforce coaches or captains plans.

Thirdly would be to take guard mark my batting line I would then step back look around the field noting where the field was positioned where I could find a single to get off the mark, where my favourite shots covered do they know where my weakness are do they have them covered.

Fourthly would be to take 3 deep breaths inhaling through my nose exhaling through my mouth I found this calmed me as I went into my stance I would become focused on the ball in the bowlers hand can I pick up what he is about to bowl to me.

As the bowler runs in I tried to make sure my head is still eyes level shoulder squared. as bowler reaches half way my thought is play in the v ,wait for the ball that is mine to get off the mark, as much as I loved to pull, hook and cut they where shots that would also get me out (so I am putting them away till I get off the mark unless the game needs it) not going to play these shots till I have been at the crease for 4 or 5 overs.

Now I am not saying my routine is right for everyone I know players, who would sweat on the short ball play slashing hook, pull and cut shots to get themselves off the mark from the first ball they faced.

What I am saying is know your strengths and weakness in your batting have a routine that you feel comfortable with now all that said remember your going to get a ball that takes your wicket at some stage it could be the best ball ever that would get Ricky Ponting out or it could be a ball that you play the wrong shot at the thing is if you can learn something from it then you will improve.

Catching

1. Watch ball for as long as possible, try to see it into your hands.
2. Point fingers down, up or to the side, depending where the ball is coming from.
3. Hands "give" upon the impact with the ball.