The root of all “Mankad’s” (with apologies to Vinoo)

At the end of term we try to play a “proper” game with the age group classes, even with the younger players.

On Saturday, a small group of Dad’s gathered at the side of the hall to watch and encourage their children.

And we had calls from one father for the non-striker to “start walking” and “back up” as the bowler ran in…no wonder young batters are trying to “steal” a yard and straying out of their crease before the ball is bowled, if this is what they are being told to do!

Continue reading “The root of all “Mankad’s” (with apologies to Vinoo)”

The secret batting drill that “they” don’t want you to know about! /clickbait

In the middle of last season, I was asked to move up the order to push the scoring rate along. I knew that I could not do this by batting conventionally — I do like a stodge!

So I resolved to apply (my interpretation of) Julian Wood’s theory of power hitting for cricketers — not slogging, but a technique to put bat on ball, consistently, and with force behind each hit. And it seemed to work.†

Whilst it is far from fully thought through, yet, there is some theory behind my switch from “batting” to “hitting”, and the practice (that clickbait “drill” in the title) to develop the technical and mental approach needed to implement the switch.

Continue reading “The secret batting drill that “they” don’t want you to know about! /clickbait”

50 years of cricket…and counting. And why, this year, I will be playing for the first time coming off a (semi-)structured pre-season.

I played my first organised game of cricket in 1973, for the Cleveland Road Primary School.

And my first game for 2023 is scheduled to be on 9th May, with Essex Seniors 60+.

Continue reading “50 years of cricket…and counting. And why, this year, I will be playing for the first time coming off a (semi-)structured pre-season.”