Cricketing Tips

Cricket is a game of skill, strength and stamina. Any conditioning program needs to take into account these three factors so that a player can improve his performance. Proper conditioning and coaching programs help the players with a natural ability to perform well and reduce the risk of injury and fitness problems.Before playing the game, it is important for the players to undergo a warm-up session and a regular stretching routine. This helps the bowlers and the batsmen to get ready for the action and stay fit despite long playing hours. Along with strength and fitness, the players also need to work on their skills and technique.

Batting: A good batsman is one who concentrates hard and tries to stay at the crease for longer duration and at the same time scores runs. In order to survive for hours against a quality bowling attack and also scoring runs, the batsman needs to mix caution with aggression. He should have good eye or reflexes combined with an ability to stay focused. The strength and the technique to play shots is also important.

Fielding: Fielders need to be on the field and remain alert to stop the ball, chase it, racing towards the boundary. At times, they need to jump in the air, dive along the ground and catch the ball at a high speed. They cannot afford to get tired. Fielding is a tough job. It needs loads of concentration and staying power. The fielders need to keep their mind and eyes focused only on the ball. They should be able pre-judge a batsman’s movement and be ready when the ball comes towards them.

Bowling: A good bowler is one who bowls a good line and length over a long spell. Stamina to bowl as many number of overs as a captain demands is also important. This is only possible if the bowler is mentally and physically fit. A fast bowler especially needs to acquire a good amount of strength and speed. If the bowler is not fit, he will sustain injuries and rendered unfit to play the highest level of cricket. Working on your game in the nets is a crucial aspect of a player’s development. In the nets, a budding cricketer can practice various strokes; he can undergo a catching drill or an intense bowling session. In cricket, there is no substitute to practice. It is necessary to practice bowling, batting and fielding under the keen eye of your coach. The more you play the better will be your game.You can get in touch with a good coach or even join a cricket academy where you would get to play and learn along with other players.

Cricket Facts - Do you know?

• Mike gatting had his nose broken by a ball from Malcolm Marshall while batting v West Indies at Kingston in 1986. The ball unfortunately dropped from his nose on to the wicket.
• There were no less than six ducks- plus one not out batsman, in the Pakistani innings v West Indies, at Cape Town in 1993.
• Two spectators were killed and several injured when a stand collapsed during the India v England game at Nagpur in January 1985.
• 25, 000 spectators turned up to watch England play its first ODI match at Chandigarh. Unfortunately a violent thunderstorm flooded the ground. In order to placate the crowd a 15 overs game was staged in unplayable conditions.
• Mark Waugh was run out 4 times in five innings in One day International matches in 1992.
• Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge completed 15 century partnerships in ODI matches for West Indies.
• The first century in Test cricket was scored by Charlie Bannerman of Australia in 1877.
  The first batsman to twice score a hundred in each innings of a Test was England’s Herbert Sutcliffe in 1925 and 1929.
• The first batsman to be dismissed for 99 on his Test debut was Australia’s Arthur Chipperfield at Tent Bridge in 1934. He was 99 not out at lunch.
• The highest score by a player in his last Test as captain was Ian Chappell’s 192 against England in 1975.
• Wilfred Rhodes had the longest ever Test career : 30 years 315 days from 1899 to 1930.
  The first bowler to take 5 wickets in a Test innings was Australia’s Billy Midwinter in 1877.
• The first bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test innings was Jim Laker in 1956.
• The only two Test cricketers to play Davis Cup tennis were Cota Ramaswami of India and West Indies wicket-keeper Ralph Legall.
• The first player to score 100 runs and take 10 wickets in the same Test was Australia’s Alan Davidson in 1960.
• The first left hander to score a century on his test debut was John Mills of New Zealand in 1930.
• The first brothers to play Test cricket were Charlie (1877) and Alec (1879) Bannerman of Australia.
• The oldest Test Captain was WG Grace, aged 50 years 320 days in 1899.
• The first batsman to share in 50 century partnerships in Tests was India’s Sunil Gavaskar.
  Australia’s Allan Border played in more Test innings than any other batsman (265).

Brett Lee-A PhotoGenic