A charged up Freddie Flintoff vs. the unflappable Jacques Kallis yesterday.... and the bowler came out on top.
I saw Kallis was quoted as saying "This is what test cricket is about!"... Well done to 2 of the games stalwarts for bringing a little fire and ice to the game again.
The confrontation between Mike Atherton and Allan Donald will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Anyone who says Test Cricket is dying should take note of these events - they're helluva exciting!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Decisiveness in selections
The saga around the English cricket team selections for the 3rd test match against South Africa is a prime example of what not to do when trying to inspire confidence in your ability to coach and manage a team.
Being at the top of the coaching game in any sport is tough - but being indecisive and failing to back your selections is like committing coaching suicide.
England spent the entire second test chasing leather with a thoroughly inadequete bowling attack. The decision was then made to recall Steve Harmison to try and give some firepower to the Poms.
The selectors then made a complete turnaround, as some former players questioned the appropriateness of selecting Harmison due to his poor form against SA and his general iffy attitude.
The selectors should either have gone with their gut and said "Yes we have confidence in Steve" or not selected him at all. By changing their decision they are sowing the seeds of indecision. Armchair fans might have their opinions on the make-up of the side - but at the end of the day it comes down to the playing squad to know that their management have faith in them....
Being at the top of the coaching game in any sport is tough - but being indecisive and failing to back your selections is like committing coaching suicide.
England spent the entire second test chasing leather with a thoroughly inadequete bowling attack. The decision was then made to recall Steve Harmison to try and give some firepower to the Poms.
The selectors then made a complete turnaround, as some former players questioned the appropriateness of selecting Harmison due to his poor form against SA and his general iffy attitude.
The selectors should either have gone with their gut and said "Yes we have confidence in Steve" or not selected him at all. By changing their decision they are sowing the seeds of indecision. Armchair fans might have their opinions on the make-up of the side - but at the end of the day it comes down to the playing squad to know that their management have faith in them....
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The pinch-hitter does not work
T20 cricket is all the rage at the moment and there is a lot of talk again about the role of a pinch-hitter in the game.
My position - THE PINCH HITTER DOES NOT WORK - irrespective of what version of the game you play.
On the odd occasion a pinch hitter comes off its more a case of luck than a well planned strategy. The best 1 day innings (Think Herschelle Gibbs chasing down 400+ at the Wanderers against the Aussies) are because a real batter gets his eye and uses his natural talent to flay bowlers left right and centre.
But a pinch hitter that comes in and scores 12 off 12 balls - has NOT done anything good for the side. Instead if a Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds had come in and used those 12 balls to get his eye in before blasting 100 off 80 balls.
Let your batters do the job they're supposed to do and leave the bowlers fresh to do what they are supposed to be doing.
My position - THE PINCH HITTER DOES NOT WORK - irrespective of what version of the game you play.
On the odd occasion a pinch hitter comes off its more a case of luck than a well planned strategy. The best 1 day innings (Think Herschelle Gibbs chasing down 400+ at the Wanderers against the Aussies) are because a real batter gets his eye and uses his natural talent to flay bowlers left right and centre.
But a pinch hitter that comes in and scores 12 off 12 balls - has NOT done anything good for the side. Instead if a Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds had come in and used those 12 balls to get his eye in before blasting 100 off 80 balls.
Let your batters do the job they're supposed to do and leave the bowlers fresh to do what they are supposed to be doing.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Debate around stump receiver at run out
There has always been an interesting debate around a non-wicket keeper receiving the ball while making a run out.
Should the receiver receive the ball in front of the stumps and then break the bails, or should they be waiting behind the stumps for the ball to pass - basically acting as "the back up"?
Its a pretty open debate - 90% of receivers have the logic that you stand behind the stump and simply catch and break if the fielders throw has missed.
But a few years back the South African cricket side started the habit of receiving the ball in front of the stumps and then swinging their hands back to break the stumps. (The theory being that you guaranteed a run out).
The actual success of the South African technique was called into question where at least one run out was missed, simply on the grounds that the 1 second it took to catch the ball and then break make the run out cost them on at least 1 occassion.
My take - a receiver always stands behind the stumps and provides backup - he should not be interrupting the flight of the ball of an accurate throw for any reason...
Should the receiver receive the ball in front of the stumps and then break the bails, or should they be waiting behind the stumps for the ball to pass - basically acting as "the back up"?
Its a pretty open debate - 90% of receivers have the logic that you stand behind the stump and simply catch and break if the fielders throw has missed.
But a few years back the South African cricket side started the habit of receiving the ball in front of the stumps and then swinging their hands back to break the stumps. (The theory being that you guaranteed a run out).
The actual success of the South African technique was called into question where at least one run out was missed, simply on the grounds that the 1 second it took to catch the ball and then break make the run out cost them on at least 1 occassion.
My take - a receiver always stands behind the stumps and provides backup - he should not be interrupting the flight of the ball of an accurate throw for any reason...
Friday, July 25, 2008
Young spin bowlers
I'm probably going to take some stick for this post but I'm a big believer that young spin bowlers should use "Action Cricket" as a way to work on their accuracy and delivery.
I was a leg-spinner and my biggest problem was that I simply had no control of where the ball was going to come out. I'd walk in, hope, pray and spew... Sometimes it worked and sometimes it went spectacularly wrong.
After I stopped practicing seriously I started playing a lot more action cricket and I found the more I played, the tighter my accuracy and control became.
Relaxed atmosphere, a 1 step run up and a flat throw down of the ball that provided an ENJOYABLE contest between batter and bowler.
It's important to note here that many spin bowlers who are over-coached, lose their ability to flight the ball. Too much flat action cricket bowling will increase this problem. Special sessions should also be included to include flighted control so that the spin bowler does not lose the "shape" of their action.
I was a leg-spinner and my biggest problem was that I simply had no control of where the ball was going to come out. I'd walk in, hope, pray and spew... Sometimes it worked and sometimes it went spectacularly wrong.
After I stopped practicing seriously I started playing a lot more action cricket and I found the more I played, the tighter my accuracy and control became.
Relaxed atmosphere, a 1 step run up and a flat throw down of the ball that provided an ENJOYABLE contest between batter and bowler.
It's important to note here that many spin bowlers who are over-coached, lose their ability to flight the ball. Too much flat action cricket bowling will increase this problem. Special sessions should also be included to include flighted control so that the spin bowler does not lose the "shape" of their action.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Over-coaching young cricket players
Coaching is always tricky.
But it becomes increasingly harder when you are trying to balance naturally talented young players AND correcting technical faults in an attempt to make a better player.
For instance take Paul Adams, the South African spin bowler with his "frog in the blender" type action. Without question it is one of the most improbably bowling actions you will ever come across and it would be near impossible to get him to change it. Yet during his time with the South African test cricket side he was one of the top strike bowlers - he landed the ball in the right place and turned it a fair distance. As a captain or coach - what more can you ask for?
Shiv Chanderpaul with his extremely wide (almost baseball style) stance - if a coach tried to correct that then he MAY have lost some of his skills and timing as a batter. His 45+ average proves he knows what he is doing.
I have a mate who is quite actively involved in coaching junior cricket at a leading school here in South Africa. Every year he sees the same problems playing themselves out - a talented young kid scores a ton of runs in his first year in high school and he gets sent off to an "academy" or "specialist coach" who is going to 'refine' his technique. The kid comes back with a completely changed batting style and for the next 2 seasons he can't get the ball off the square.
Instead of focusing on his natural talent and hand-eye coordination, coaches look at what he is doing wrong and then try and change his whole style to change this.
Obviously in the early stages of cricket playing, it is easier for an average player to stand out simply being bigger, stronger and quicker on the ball.
But coaches should be wary before implementing full scale changes in a young players style, until they know what the kid is doing right and why they are successful.
But it becomes increasingly harder when you are trying to balance naturally talented young players AND correcting technical faults in an attempt to make a better player.
For instance take Paul Adams, the South African spin bowler with his "frog in the blender" type action. Without question it is one of the most improbably bowling actions you will ever come across and it would be near impossible to get him to change it. Yet during his time with the South African test cricket side he was one of the top strike bowlers - he landed the ball in the right place and turned it a fair distance. As a captain or coach - what more can you ask for?
Shiv Chanderpaul with his extremely wide (almost baseball style) stance - if a coach tried to correct that then he MAY have lost some of his skills and timing as a batter. His 45+ average proves he knows what he is doing.
I have a mate who is quite actively involved in coaching junior cricket at a leading school here in South Africa. Every year he sees the same problems playing themselves out - a talented young kid scores a ton of runs in his first year in high school and he gets sent off to an "academy" or "specialist coach" who is going to 'refine' his technique. The kid comes back with a completely changed batting style and for the next 2 seasons he can't get the ball off the square.
Instead of focusing on his natural talent and hand-eye coordination, coaches look at what he is doing wrong and then try and change his whole style to change this.
Obviously in the early stages of cricket playing, it is easier for an average player to stand out simply being bigger, stronger and quicker on the ball.
But coaches should be wary before implementing full scale changes in a young players style, until they know what the kid is doing right and why they are successful.
West Indies Travels in 2009 for Cricket England Supporters by Crictours
Crictours announces England Supporters Cricket Travel Packages for 2009 West Indies Tour
Following the ECB’s announcement of the 2009 England-West Indies tour, The Cricket Tour Company has launched their tour itineraries. The combination of beautiful beaches, exotic locales and exceptional cricket assure that the West Indies tour packages are in high demand by England supporters.
The dates for the West Indies tour have now been released, as follows:
04-08 Feb - 1st Test, Jamaica
13-17 Feb - 2nd Test, Antigua
26 Feb-02 Mar - 3rd Test, Barbados
06-10 Mar - 4th Test, Trinidad
Sun 15 Mar - Twenty20 International, Trinidad
Fri 20 Mar - 1st One-Day International, Guyana
Sun 22 Mar - 2nd One-Day International, Guyana
Fri 27 Mar - 3rd One-Day International, Barbados
Sun 29 Mar - 4th One-Day International, Barbados
Fri 03 April - 5th One-Day International, St Lucia – Day/Night
Crictours offers following tour itineraries:
Jamaica: Sat 31st Jan – Tue 10th Feb (12 days)
Enjoy 3 days of relaxation on a gorgeous North coast all-inclusive beach resort before heading down to the Hilton, Kingston for the 1st Test at the pulsating Sabina Park – scene of Steve Harmison’s stunning 7 for 12 in 2004!
Antigua: Wed 11th Feb – Sun 22nd Feb (12 days)
Kick back on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches at the stunning all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa. See the 2nd Test at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium – newly opened for the 2007 World Cup.
Barbados: Sat 21st Feb – Wed 4th Mar (12 days) or Sun 8th Mar (16 days)
With thousands of English fans expected, the atmosphere at Kensington Oval is sure to be fantastic for the pivotal 3rd Test. Join us for a 12 day tour or one of our 2 x 16 day tours – one at an all-inclusive resort, the other on B&B basis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Thu 5th Mar – Fri 13th Mar (9 days +)
There’s no beach in Port of Spain, but there is a fantastic atmosphere at the wonderful Queen’s Park Oval and a great music scene in the home of calypso & soca (soul-calypso) music! Stay at the Hilton Trinidad. Extend your stay with a beach holiday on Tobago and pop back for the Twenty/20 match!
ODI Tour: Sat 21st Mar – Sun 05th Apr (16 days) or Wed 18th Mar - Sun 05th Apr (19 days)
Our main tour will take in the last 3 ODI’s on Barbados & St Lucia. However, we will also be offering a pre-tour extension for those wanting to go to Guyana to see the first 2 ODI’s.
Combo Tours
For England supporters that need a bigger dose of sun, sea and/or cricket, itineraries can combine any or all the tours above!
Flights will be with Virgin Atlantic from London and BMI from Manchester to Barbados, both with the option to upgrade to Premium Economy & Business Class.
Brochures and information can be obtained:
Via email sue@crictours.com or
Phone call on 01494 713 007.or on www.crictours.com website
Following the ECB’s announcement of the 2009 England-West Indies tour, The Cricket Tour Company has launched their tour itineraries. The combination of beautiful beaches, exotic locales and exceptional cricket assure that the West Indies tour packages are in high demand by England supporters.
The dates for the West Indies tour have now been released, as follows:
04-08 Feb - 1st Test, Jamaica
13-17 Feb - 2nd Test, Antigua
26 Feb-02 Mar - 3rd Test, Barbados
06-10 Mar - 4th Test, Trinidad
Sun 15 Mar - Twenty20 International, Trinidad
Fri 20 Mar - 1st One-Day International, Guyana
Sun 22 Mar - 2nd One-Day International, Guyana
Fri 27 Mar - 3rd One-Day International, Barbados
Sun 29 Mar - 4th One-Day International, Barbados
Fri 03 April - 5th One-Day International, St Lucia – Day/Night
Crictours offers following tour itineraries:
Jamaica: Sat 31st Jan – Tue 10th Feb (12 days)
Enjoy 3 days of relaxation on a gorgeous North coast all-inclusive beach resort before heading down to the Hilton, Kingston for the 1st Test at the pulsating Sabina Park – scene of Steve Harmison’s stunning 7 for 12 in 2004!
Antigua: Wed 11th Feb – Sun 22nd Feb (12 days)
Kick back on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches at the stunning all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa. See the 2nd Test at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium – newly opened for the 2007 World Cup.
Barbados: Sat 21st Feb – Wed 4th Mar (12 days) or Sun 8th Mar (16 days)
With thousands of English fans expected, the atmosphere at Kensington Oval is sure to be fantastic for the pivotal 3rd Test. Join us for a 12 day tour or one of our 2 x 16 day tours – one at an all-inclusive resort, the other on B&B basis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Thu 5th Mar – Fri 13th Mar (9 days +)
There’s no beach in Port of Spain, but there is a fantastic atmosphere at the wonderful Queen’s Park Oval and a great music scene in the home of calypso & soca (soul-calypso) music! Stay at the Hilton Trinidad. Extend your stay with a beach holiday on Tobago and pop back for the Twenty/20 match!
ODI Tour: Sat 21st Mar – Sun 05th Apr (16 days) or Wed 18th Mar - Sun 05th Apr (19 days)
Our main tour will take in the last 3 ODI’s on Barbados & St Lucia. However, we will also be offering a pre-tour extension for those wanting to go to Guyana to see the first 2 ODI’s.
Combo Tours
For England supporters that need a bigger dose of sun, sea and/or cricket, itineraries can combine any or all the tours above!
Flights will be with Virgin Atlantic from London and BMI from Manchester to Barbados, both with the option to upgrade to Premium Economy & Business Class.
Brochures and information can be obtained:
Via email sue@crictours.com or
Phone call on 01494 713 007.or on www.crictours.com website
Sunday, July 20, 2008
How valuable is variety?
The South African national bowling attack is probably the one world class attack that I can use to highlight in this post.
Prior to Paul Harris (Left arm spinner) coming into the side, the attack comprised of a bunch of right arm seamers who stormed in at at the 140km/h mark who maybe moved it a little off the pitch on a good day.
Unfortunately there have been a couple of Test matches where these 4 seamers have had little to do except run in and their fielders ended up chasing leather the whole day. Not a lot of fun.
This lack of variety has been something that has plagued them for the better part of a decade, and if it hadn't been for the quality of fast bowler they were producing, South Africa would be a far less potent bowling force.
The debate has long been asked - would South Africa be better served by having a slightly weaker bowler, but one who turns the ball a bit or comes in from a different angle or swings the ball in the air?
On their day, any of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Jacques Kallis or Morne Morkel will pick you up a 5 wicket haul. But on a day where the opposition is sending you
to all corners of the park and you are craving something different, would you want a left arm seamer or a finger spinner to take advantage of some rough in the pitch.
Harris has added a big part of the variety that the South African attack has needed, but the demand for a left arm quick bowler is obvious. Just that slightly different angle to worry the batsman or provide some wear and tear outside the batters off stump.
Logically you wont give up quality for variety on most days, but if you don't have some variety to fall back on, then you can spend some very long days in the field...
Prior to Paul Harris (Left arm spinner) coming into the side, the attack comprised of a bunch of right arm seamers who stormed in at at the 140km/h mark who maybe moved it a little off the pitch on a good day.
Unfortunately there have been a couple of Test matches where these 4 seamers have had little to do except run in and their fielders ended up chasing leather the whole day. Not a lot of fun.
This lack of variety has been something that has plagued them for the better part of a decade, and if it hadn't been for the quality of fast bowler they were producing, South Africa would be a far less potent bowling force.
The debate has long been asked - would South Africa be better served by having a slightly weaker bowler, but one who turns the ball a bit or comes in from a different angle or swings the ball in the air?
On their day, any of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Jacques Kallis or Morne Morkel will pick you up a 5 wicket haul. But on a day where the opposition is sending you
to all corners of the park and you are craving something different, would you want a left arm seamer or a finger spinner to take advantage of some rough in the pitch.
Harris has added a big part of the variety that the South African attack has needed, but the demand for a left arm quick bowler is obvious. Just that slightly different angle to worry the batsman or provide some wear and tear outside the batters off stump.
Logically you wont give up quality for variety on most days, but if you don't have some variety to fall back on, then you can spend some very long days in the field...
Cricket Strategist
Cricket has been a funny game over the last few years.
We've seen the West Indies come and go as world leaders, we've seen the Aussies dominate for an extended period of time and South Africa emerge as the definite number 2's.
And now we are seeing the emergence of T20 cricket and the Asian super powers, once again reshifting the balance of power. India and Pakistan in particular have more talent that they know what to do with. In a few years time, India will be the undoubted "financial capital" of world cricket.
Minnow nations like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Holland are getting more and more game time and exposure to high level cricket and their progress will be interestign to watch.
The Cricket Strategist blog aims to provide an online resource for cricketing coaches and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on world cricket and ensure that the game of cricket can constantly improve itself.
We've seen the West Indies come and go as world leaders, we've seen the Aussies dominate for an extended period of time and South Africa emerge as the definite number 2's.
And now we are seeing the emergence of T20 cricket and the Asian super powers, once again reshifting the balance of power. India and Pakistan in particular have more talent that they know what to do with. In a few years time, India will be the undoubted "financial capital" of world cricket.
Minnow nations like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Holland are getting more and more game time and exposure to high level cricket and their progress will be interestign to watch.
The Cricket Strategist blog aims to provide an online resource for cricketing coaches and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on world cricket and ensure that the game of cricket can constantly improve itself.
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