Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: uknsaunders on January 27, 2015, 11:56:02 AM
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Having a chat to Redders and we often hear alot of rubbish talked about on the cricket field. When we are struggling, some team members tell us we "aren't wanting this enough", "where is your pride" etc. To me it's about bowling balls in the right areas, having the skill sets to do that and has little to do with emotion. When a team is struggling it's either playing superior opponents or not excuting properly. In some cases the wicket, clever captaincy and individual performances can distort this but not often. Unless I have injury or illness, well being or emotion rarely comes into the actual task of performing. I can see how the hairdryer treatment might work in football, a physical sport where trying harder can result in physical gains. For cricket, it's muscle memory and skills in my opnion.
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this is an interesting question - I think everyone needs something different to make them perform (on the cricket pitch ;))
Personally I need a clear mind and to be relaxed/calm at the crease to find my "bubble". No amount of pep talks will help me. Actually it is the same when I play any sport.
Others may need and like the pep talk - it I don't know.
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It is an interesting one. Personally, it's a mental game for me. I know my technique is solid (for my level) and that I don't get bowled balls that are good enough to get me out. I make silly mistakes through my mindset not being right, not concentrating or focusing enough.
In that way, it's very much and emotional game for me. Not that my emotions get in the way, but that my mental preparedness affects the efficiency with which I can put my skills into practice (I sound like the ECB!!).
anyway, just my 2p
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this is an interesting question - I think everyone needs something different to make them perform (on the cricket pitch ;))
Personally I need a clear mind and to be relaxed/calm at the crease to find my "bubble". No amount of pep talks will help me. Actually it is the same when I play any sport.
Others may need and like the pep talk - it I don't know.
Remember getting the pep talk before opening the batting in an all day game. Skipper was bigging me up, went out and got a duck! Likewise two of my best knocks have come when I have had Flu and my daughter was in A&E (she broke her finger playing cricket) - seems to somehow clear and focus the mind on cricket.
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Agree with the others, it's an interesting topic. What's also interesting is that when things aren't going well, it's often more than just one player it affects whether it be a poor run of form with the bat or ball or too many mis-fields and dropoed catches. I can probably count on one hand the number of games I have played in where just one players performance has stuck out like a sore thumb for the wrong reasons.
What I struggled to work out in recent seasons form a personal point of view are those players who, lets say have a technique that is less pleasing to the eye yet manage to score runs quite consistently (and i'm not talking about slogging every ball) whereas others who have a more technically correct technique struggle with form. Is it purely the technique that is the issue or is it psychological?
Maybe some players are more relaxed approach which might work for them, so have to really focus but underpinning this has to be the skill set and the ability to perform to a certain level.
I know I have tried both approaches - relaxed and focused and still had shockers! :o
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Agree with the others, it's an interesting topic. What's also interesting is that when things aren't going well, it's often more than just one player it affects whether it be a poor run of form with the bat or ball or too many mis-fields and dropoed catches. I can probably count on one hand the number of games I have played in where just one players performance has stuck out like a sore thumb for the wrong reasons.
What I struggled to work out in recent seasons form a personal point of view are those players who, lets say have a technique that is less pleasing to the eye yet manage to score runs quite consistently (and i'm not talking about slogging every ball) whereas others who have a more technically correct technique struggle with form. Is it purely the technique that is the issue or is it psychological?
Maybe some players are more relaxed approach which might work for them, so have to really focus but underpinning this has to be the skill set and the ability to perform to a certain level.
I know I have tried both approaches - relaxed and focused and still had shockers! :o
I am a believer in keeping things simple. Bowlers should just run up and bowl. Not always being the brightest twig on the tree it's dangerous for them to overthink. This is however underpinned by a repeatable technique. Bowl your 10k balls and you should be landing it on the spot without thinking because you trained to do it.
On batting, I have seen many a two shot batsman outscore far prettier batsman. Why, because they play two shots really well. All they have learnt to do is avoid the other 10 they can't play. In searching to play every shot in the book we sometimes forget what we can do well and compromise those shots. At the base of all the mind games and technical adjustments is a layer of technique that has got you to this point.
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I think more a mix of technique and mental toughness.
Obviously you need some level of technique to begin with, depending on what level you want to play. But you can improve through practice in the nets etc.
The harder part of the game is mental. Especially when batting. The main requirements being concentration (so you don't get out), and composure/decision making (playing the right shot to the right ball, considering the situation - do you need to attack, take risks to get runs or defendd, be more cautious to stay in and build an innings).
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As a batsman I think I'm psychologically affected if I'm asked to play number 6 and then open the next week. I've opened most seasons but with new players, rotation and the Captain not having a clear idea of the batting order before the match it's quite hard to prepare mentally (unless you're asked to open). Some batsmen don't seem to perform outside of their preferred spot.
When going in at 6 so many other factors come into play e.g. have we just suffered a collapse so my main job is to stabalise and hopefully start the flow of runs again without worrying too much about how long 7, 8 and 9 might be around etc...
However, keeping calm and playing to strengths is key as well as blocking out any 'well intentioned' views from the rest of the team...
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People forget that cricket is the most invidiual Team sport going.
Ability is no good without the muscle that muscle being the brain.
Hand in hand if we are talking as a captain it is different to people own fears.
Break it down what the worst that can happen!!! Thats my motive and what the best!!!
Do not fear failure embrace it and learn from it.
If your a captain understand people are different and have different tilts for you to switch
Keep the thinking out when you play let it become natural..
PREPAIR WELL, DO WELL
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Interesting topic. For me, emotions hardly come in my way or maybe I am just too old for sledging to effect my performance :D. I generally have a good idea whether I am going to do well or not as soon as I step on the field. I am either scoring runs or out very early, hate to hang around and wait for opposition to put me out of my misery. Struggling and holding one end serves no one, neither the team nor individual unless the bowling is really good. Last season was terrible for me, I felt confident, trained during winter and physically fit but just forgot how to score runs and that had to do lot with my mental state (issues on personal front). Our season is so short, just 15 games, that its hard to really come back if you had bad first few games. Also, the team has to make changes after couple of failures because you dont want to be too low in the points table that the team cannot come back and make play offs. So there is always additional pressure especially if there are 2-3 back to back failures.
We have a David Warner in our team who is always involved in some banter with opposition and brings the best out of him if he is on the receiving end :D
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Fail to prepare, prepare to fail ;)
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Emotion clearly plays a part but from my experience normally in a negative way. Last few years we have an opening bowler who has all the skills required for the championship and possibly higher, talk good action and quick but can swing it, the problem he is known as a lose cannon so the oppo just wind him up and he falls for it, gets wound up and bowls rubbish occasionally boing a nut but that's just means his mouth opens and the whole episode becomes just ugly .
Personally I need to be challenged when batting, and I like the banter I get as an opener as that sets me up and gets me in my bubble, as long as my head is clear I'm fine, also having captained for a fair few years knowing what gets players going is the key. I can say to a set of bowlers that I will give them 4-5 overs as I think the pitch will take spin knowing I will get there best As they want to bowl more than that and they know if there bowling tight lines an docking up wickets I won't and them off but I certainly will if there not. Like wise with a batter
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As a batsman I think I'm psychologically affected if I'm asked to play number 6 and then open the next week. I've opened most seasons but with new players, rotation and the Captain not having a clear idea of the batting order before the match it's quite hard to prepare mentally (unless you're asked to open). Some batsmen don't seem to perform outside of their preferred spot.
When going in at 6 so many other factors come into play e.g. have we just suffered a collapse so my main job is to stabalise and hopefully start the flow of runs again without worrying too much about how long 7, 8 and 9 might be around etc...
However, keeping calm and playing to strengths is key as well as blocking out any 'well intentioned' views from the rest of the team...
This sounds very familiar and definitely hasn't helped me over the past couple of seasons. I'm not somebody who is able to score quickly from the off or smash the ball everywhere in the last 5 overs. The batting order was never consistent and think I batted most numbers form 1-7 last year and even opened 1 week and then at 7 the next.
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Going to quote Brian O'driscoll here from a recent interview regarding the myth of focus on your weaknesses. "Practise what youre good at and manage your weaknesses". Ricky ponting on sky masterclass " I knew if the bowler didn't hit that spot i would either drive him or pull him". In my view its practise practise practise and simplify as much as possible. As soon as you feel or think you have to bat a different way youre on a downward slope. Play your own game regardless of circumstances
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Going to quote Brian O'driscoll here from a recent interview regarding the myth of focus on your weaknesses. "Practise what youre good at and manage your weaknesses". Ricky ponting on sky masterclass " I knew if the bowler didn't hit that spot i would either drive him or pull him". In my view its practise practise practise and simplify as much as possible. As soon as you feel or think you have to bat a different way youre on a downward slope. Play your own game regardless of circumstances
This goes along very much with what Andy Flower preached at the start of his regime with England - which was find your strengths and maximise them, then narrow your weaknesses.
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Can see that in a fair few of the players too. Trott for example just waited on bowlers to come to him and largely cut the driving part of his game out.
On the topic though. If you have a technique to succeed at the level you're playing then I think it really is a mental battle. Many a player with an 'average technique' in many peoples eyes outscores a classy looking player with all the shots.
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everyone can play all the shots when asked to do a demonstration but when put in a game situation its very hard to choose the right one to the ball being bowled. The brain can play funny tricks on you.
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Our best batsman is an idiot. Gets out playing stupid shots and walks off with a grin on his face. I could kill him. If I had that talent I wouldn't throw it away so casually but that's just the game, full of all sorts of characters.
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On the topic though. If you have a technique to succeed at the level you're playing then I think it really is a mental battle. Many a player with an 'average technique' in many peoples eyes outscores a classy looking player with all the shots.
Couldn't agree with this any more English cricket is filled with people who are immensely talented but have failed and this all to with mental fragility. Players such as Hick, Ramps, Bopara and so some extent current player like Morgan and Finn all super talented but at the highest level they failed to deliver.
But then you have people like Chris Rogers and Paul Collingwood they are as talented as some but they make the most of what they have and are mentally tough and able to make a comeback after disappointing shots or dismissals.
One ex county pro who might be biased said that he thought a good 50% of county players were good enough to player international cricket but weren't mentally strong enough to churn out the necessary results.
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Once heard an Aussie test captain say cricket is 10 percent skill and 90 percent confidence but I reckon it's the other way round.
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I can't believe that "Science" lost the vote. I voted Science. My best performances came when I focused on technique and technique only. Whenever I have played with emotion, I have performed poorly with bat. Clinical games have gone well. I wouldn't say that I am a technique "junkie" but whenever I have played with a clear mind ( meaning - no expectation, no anticipation, and no desire for certain results), I have done fabulously well. And, achieving that state of mind, is a big challenge. Tendulkar is known to do meditative breathing during his batting. Playing with technique in mind helps me achieve that state. That is why net sessions are so good. :D
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I voted a bit of both because no one thing is the answer. I net loads because I enjoy it and it improves me. Do I think it makes me better than others? Not really. I do find I'm much more consistent though.
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Nothings better than a good net providing the bowling is good. Mickey mouse bowler are a waste of time. I'm mainly a bowler so always get asked to bowl at the first team batsmen and in return I'm expected to bat against third team non bowlers (I open the batting and bowling for the second team). I don't bother taking my batting kit to club nets as this is a waste of time and would only breed bad habits. Once the outdoor nets are dry me and two or three mates will go in there with the side arm for hours. You can get 300 balls an hour at 80mph and it has all the visual triggers unlike a bowling machine. I think the key to cricket is getting all the experiments and technical adjustments done in practice. In a match you shouldn't think about any of that stuff just have a clear mind and react to whats in front of you.
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This weekend we went to Adi (Procricketer1982) indoor nets. We have roughly 200 balls each against a Bola. As I pointed out to one of our guys, that's pretty much 3 games worth of decent batting, if you bat anywhere from 4 downwards ie. 66 balls a game = 132 balls with a partner getting 50% strike or 21 overs per game at the crease, times by 3 equals 200 balls. Towards the end nearly all the batsman were timing it well and looking in good touch. That followed through to nets last night, and I for one felt in better form that a week ago. I was playing straighter, feet moving better , watching the ball and had more time.
My point is - technology did this ie. science, no amount of mental prep or feel good factor could replace getting quality practise.
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Bowling machines are great for improving single shots but no good for decision making.
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Bowling machines are great for improving single shots but no good for decision making.
Only if you dont trust the bloke feeding the machine! undo the bolt holding the machine steady a little and allow the feeder to move it around as a bowler might.
Much better practice as a result.
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For me it's an 'art', many different techniques work that's the beauty if the game. If science takes over we are in trouble, lap top cricket who wants that?! Honing your own technique is the art of the game and what gives us so much to talk about. :)
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Bowling machines are great for improving single shots but no good for decision making.
Bowling machines are great for improving single shots but no good for decision making.
Disagree strongly.
My game is the product of a bolwing machine and one of my strengths is picking line/length and making the right decision on shot. Why?? Because I've seen the ball loads off the machine so muscle memory takes over
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Science first as you learn the correct technique and shots. Emotion as you become more experienced and modify that technique to suit your own style of play.
Bowling machines allow you to practise particular shots but there s nothing like the unpredictability of a human and seeing the arm come over and the ball come out.
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Science first as you learn the correct technique and shots. Emotion as you become more experienced and modify that technique to suit your own style of play.
Bowling machines allow you to practise particular shots but there s nothing like the unpredictability of a human and seeing the arm come over and the ball come out.
IF you have access to genuine bowlers of sufficient quality then great, that is good training. I don't believe anything but pro's get that though tbh. Even at club nets, 10-15 mins isn't really enough training. It's all personal too, some people don't need/want to net much, some need/want to net daily.. some want to train hard.. some want gentle throw downs, feel the middle of the bat etc etc
I don't think there is one answer, or one technique. THat's where England get it wrong, we try and find scientific formulas and end up producing mediocre bowlers, mediocre batsmen
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I think this entire discussion has gone in several directions not intended by the original question.
Also, I am seeing different definition of science and emotions.
For me science is not technology like bowling machines but it is technique, assessment of match condition/situation, and cold hard skill. Improvisation is also part of skill hence science.
For me, emotion is the desire to do well and win. Naturally, this desire would vary from individual to individual. However, that doesn't mean that desire or even strong will is a good substitute of "science" or technical skills required to win. The masters of the game had mastered their technique and skill side of the game first. Their technique and skill may or may not be "orthodox" but it worked for them and they had an array of skills for different conditions. Their emotion (desire to win and dominate the opposition) alone did not win matches; and without skill, they'd be like any other fan with a bowl of popcorn in his/her lap.
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I would say a combination
Just turning up to play is not enough,,winning has to be the goal to succeed
But just wanting to win, means nothing without the skills to back it up