How to play the pull shot by Jason Krejza
There was a time when the pull shot was considered unorthodox, and only certain batsmen played it. For Australia, Don Bradman and Doug Walters were once its greatest exponents, but it has now become part of the armoury of most modern-day batsmen. Have a look at Dougie’s pull for six off the last ball of the day to bring up his ton in Perth, 1974-75. Our own Ricky Ponting was famous for his scintillating pull shot, as was England’s Michael Vaughan. The reason it is one of cricket’s more attractive sights is because it can only be an aggressive shot. Played generally off the back foot, the pull shot resembles the hook shot, but is often played around waist height. Unlike a hook, which is often played ‘off the nose’, a pull shot can actually be played to a delivery that is on off stump. Hence the name. The shot is ‘pulled’ around to leg. The pull shot is an exciting and powerful shot and its main aim is to score. It is played through the leg-side, anywhere from wide mid-on around to square leg. It can be played along the ground or aerial. No fast bowler in the world wanted to drop just short to Ricky Ponting as the ball would end up breaking the pickets at any ground in the world. Worth YouTubing! Here are a few pointers on executing this shot well.
Good luck and practice hard! Jason Krejza applies his vast experience working with the world’s best players and coaches to his own coaching. Jason had a history-making Test debut when his 12 wickets for the match against India in 2010 included eight wickets in the first innings. For more information visit www.elitecricket.com.au How to knock in your cricket bat
Knocking in your Cricket Bat Make sure your new cricket bat is ‘warne’ in Just like a new pair of shoes, cricket bats should be worn in before you use them. Except the correct cricket terminology is ‘knocking’. Knocking in your cricket bat compacts the timber fibres, making it stronger and more resistant to hard and fast blows. The large face areas of the bat like the toe, edges and blade, take the most impact during a cricket match. Without knocking in your bat, it’s very likely to sustain permanent damage. How to knock in your cricket bat properly The first step is to lightly oil your cricket bat using a cloth and a Linseed cricket bat oil. Rub it all over with the exception of the top section of the blade. Leave overnight before applying a second light coat. This ensures the bat keeps the correct moisture and helps prevent cracking or splitting. Repeatedly strike all the surfaces of the bat with a hardwood bat mallet. Start out gently or soften the blows by covering the mallet with a sock and gradually increase the force. The bat should eventually begin to have a rounded appearance after covering all surface areas of the bat several times. Let the bat rest for a few hours prior to taking it for a test run. Use an old or well-used cricket ball to bounce and if the bat is still gathering marks then repeat the second step again. Knocking in can be a long process so you may prefer to purchase a bat that’s knocked in and ready for match play. |
How to improve your batting;
Bowl your cricket team over with your professional batting skills When it comes to putting your batting skills to the test, it takes more than athletic ability to score a six. Being a good batsman (or bats woman) requires precision, excellent hand/eye coordination and regular practice. Improve your muscle memory The old adage practice makes perfect is key to improving your batting skills. Repetition is fundamental to refining hand and eye coordination. Muscles have memory, so the more you repeat the actions, the more natural the movements will seem. Master hitting drop balls A great place to start is by simply practicing to hit balls dropped directly above the line of the bat. Focus on your technique instead of power shots. Once you have mastered hitting drop balls, graduate to having a friend or team mate bowl under arm. Practice hitting underarm bowls An underarm bowl will reduce the ball speed allowing you concentrate on precise batting skills. Remember at this stage it’s not about how hard you can hit the ball, it’s about aiming the ball in a certain direction, preferably to avoid any fielders. Overarm bowling requires faster reactions, but it’s more about the correct timing, than hitting it hard. Switch your techniques Being able to change up your technique is imperative. If you’re constantly hitting the ball straight, it won’t take long for the opposition to cotton on to your game plan. Being versatile will keep the competition on their toes. Tee up friendly cricket matches simulated match conditions can provide an opportunity to work on your batting skills. Get a group of mates together for a friendly game or practice at the local nets until swinging correctly becomes second nature. ![]() How to bowl leg spin
by Jason Krejza The Grip
Bowling to a right-hand batter, a leg spinner should look to land the ball in line with the stumps to make him play every ball. Tempt the batsman to hit against the spin. For example, with a right-hand leg spinner to a right-hand batter, tempt them to hit the ball through mid-wicket. This is harder to do than play with the spin; hitting against it can lead to inside or outside edges and the batsman to use only half the bat to hit the ball. This creates opportunities to take wickets and is harder to score from, so it becomes a run-saving tactic too. Don’t give up. Look to bowl the ball full, so the batsman has to play off the front foot; a batter has much more time and has more scoring options off the back foot. Get them playing drives to create chances. Try and hit the stumps with most of your deliveries. This makes the batsman play at every ball, makes it a risk to play shots and creates a wicket chance with every ball you bowl. Batsmen will look to defend balls that are hitting the stumps, so you are bowling balls that aren’t getting scored off. Visualisation Before you even start your run-up, you should have a clear idea of what you want to bowl. Imagine it – picture it in your mind coming up out of your hand and landing perfectly. Visualisation is the key here as it helps mentally prepare you to bowl the ball you want to bowl. Run-up You must have a balanced, relaxed run-up that is the same every time you bowl. Not just in a game, but also in the nets or wherever else you are practicing. Consistency is the key here. Your run-up should build up speed slowly as you approach the crease. This is an underestimated aspect of bowling. You want to have built some good momentum as you approach the crease so you can be powerful and not just have to use your bowling arm and shoulder to provide the energy. Use your body, use your legs and use the momentum of your run-up to provide the energy needed to bowl a great delivery. Jason Krejza applies his vast experience working with the world’s best players and coaches to his own coaching. Jason had a history-making Test debut when his 12 wickets for the match against India in 2010 included eight wickets in the first innings. For more information visit www.elitecricket.com.au |
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