Training update

Just 7 at practice last Tuesday, so we decided to have a proper long bat each. I was very happy with my batting, I was relaxed at the crease and was hitting some of the balls where I wanted to hit them. One of the lads was very fast, and I managed to keep him out for the most part. But anyone else with reasonable speed I was happy with playing. I think I have the potential to be an OK bat - I just need a lot more time in the middle figuring out how to play.

I was also very impressed with how our new-found leggie is getting on (mentioned him a few weeks back). His accuracy has come on hugely, with only a few wayward balls late on in the session. He was getting the ball to turn on our mat, which is fairly unresponsive to most spinners. And, he was getting the ball to drift! It gave me a bit of a shock the first few times to see the ball swerve out of his hand - straighten at the stumps - and then spin away! I think there's a lot of potential there with a bit more practice and a few overs under his belt. If we'd had a full field, he certainly would have got me out a few times - even as it was he got a neat caught and bowled from one I tried to drive, but it dipped late and I half pulled out of the shot before chipping it to him low down

We did make one huge error of judgement during the session - which was to have 4 bowlers going at once. For most of the session it meant that the keeper was the only fielder! Needless to say everyone was exhausted between bowling and fetching balls. As I see it - we really need an actual net - or (I'd prefer) have 2 bowlers at once for 20 balls and then swap for another 2. The non-bowlers can act as ball boys as necessary - but it would be closer to match conditions, and there would be some scope for recovery time.

For myself, I decided to make the most of the situation and force myself to concentrate 100% on every ball despite the tiredness. I mean - if you get a spell of a good few overs in a match you have to have some experience of bowling when tired. In the main it worked - in that I could still consistantly produce good line and length balls that beat the bat - though there were a few full tosses and the odd one down leg if my concentration wavered. For the most part I'm happy with my control - line is rarely an issue, and length is usually good unless I'm uncomfortable in the run-up.

I have been experimenting with trying different grips for swing in the last few weeks - but I'm still not getting anything much. A few move a bit - but I find it hard to tell as I'm following through if it worked or not. Maybe I should collar one of the other bowlers and do some bowling back and forward so we can each watch the others action and see what works.