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GARY'S Adaptingtovariou
With school and professional players facing an increased schedule of cricket throughout the year, it is pivotal that they can adjust to different conditions One of these variances is the change in formats. Whether it is a 50 over game, a T20 or a full day match players can be faced with all these formats within the small space of a week. The strategies in these games can be vastly different, so what is the best way to overcome these challenges?
Fundamentals
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The basics of the game are as always, the most crucial to success in any format. The principles of batting, including watching the ball, hitting with as fuller face of the bat as possible, weight transfer in the shot and balance throughout the movement, are technical fundamentals which must be adhered to in all formats Likewise with bowling – Alignment towards the intended direction, stability in the action and a controlled force generation provides a bowler with a repeatable and consistent delivery which he needs confidence and a clear committed mind to execute. Many fielding techniques remain the same and are just accelerated depending on the pace of the game. These include speed to the ball, clean pickups, accurate throws and taking catches As a coach or player, it is tempting to be distracted by fads in the game and to not spend as much time on the basics, but as famous coach Chuck Noll said, “Champions are those who do ordinary things better than everyone else”
Processes
In order to win a Test match, one team has to gain all 20 wickets at a lower cost than that of an opposition within a 5-day period. Hence the objective of the game determines the processes which need to be done to be successful. Limited over cricket provides the strategy which values runs in a specific number of overs to determine a winner The important processes thus differ in the various formats, however with these variances there are also some striking similarities important to all. When practicing for a specific format a player or coach should emphasise a game plan that will give them the best chance of success in the middle in various situations
