On Monday evenings I coach a promising young player. He tries to batter almost every ball I throw to him, generally successfully. Drives, pulls, lap sweeps from outside off, reverse sweeps.
Yet when he gets a ball just a fraction outside leg stump, he shoulders arms and refuses to play a shot.
Because in local junior cricket, leg side wides are called strictly; and, whilst they are not re-bowled, they score 2, or even 3 runs.
So the young batter has been instucted by his club coach not to play at leg side deliveries , and to take the “free” runs on offer.
Instead of taking the opportunity to free his arms and sweep the ball, he watches it go by.
What a waste!
The Teesra 