The Teesra

Author: Andrew Beaven

  • Jail-break cricket – another variant for CGBL

    Here is a game variant that can be used to encourage players to apply a specified batting technique in a practice session.

    We call it “jail-break cricket” – players are challenged to hit a ball to a specified target area to release team mates who have been “sent to jail”.

    The game encourages the batter to play a particular stroke, so could work well as the final, modified game in a whole-part-whole session.

    It also teaches team spirit (it is amazing how quickly the “jailed” players come to actively encourage their batting team mates) and introduces the concepts of responsibility and consequence – if you are the last “free” batter, you really do need to try to hit the target to free your team mates; if you are dismissed, you go to jail, and if the last batter does not release his team mates the innings closes.

    N.B. I did not invent this format, but have only adopted (and adapted) it from others.  But it works so well I wanted to share it. (more…)

  • A question of spin

    The recent crack-down on suspect bowing actions has caught several high profile spin bowlers, most notably Saeed Ajmal and Sunil Narine.

    Among the cynics, there has long been a belief that it is (almost) impossible to bowl the doosra without straightening the elbow, and the recent suspensions perhaps support this point of view.

    But are there other variations for the finger spinner? (more…)

  • Shall we watch the ODI? Nah, let’s kick a football around the park

    I was coaching on Wednesday night.  I managed to find regular excuses to return to the club, to collect another piece of kit and to sneak a look at the telly and to keep an eye on the score in the 4th ODI between England and New Zealand.

    We finished at 8, and with England needing another 150 in 20 overs or so, I expected the players to come into the club to watch the game.  Five minutes later, they were back out on the park, playing football.

    Live international cricket lost out to a kick around.