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Q: I’m the coach of an under 16 school team and would like to get some advice about the best way to break down the team chasing say 100 runs to win a one-day game with 15 overs to go in the innings. The players seem to get caught wanting to play big shots and we often fall 30 or 40 runs short. Any help would be great
A: 100 runs off 15 overs = 6.6 runs per over. There will always be a loose ball every over, and this should be the boundary ball. That covers 4 runs per over. The other 5 deliveries will provide the balance if you work the singles and twos, running well between wickets.
Some overs you will find less runs than this, (when the bowler is "on" for a while), while other overs more when you get 2 or more loose deliveries. It usually balances out, which will make winning with a 6 - 7 over run rate quite achievable.
The other key point is patience. Don't panic when the loose deliveries don't come, because they will come later, and you will then catch up the rate, without panicking and "going the slog" and risking your wicket. Also check the fielding poitions for any changes that are non verbal. If you haven't got your eye in, play within the "V" until you do, while working ones and twos into the gaps. A lot of players think six runs per over is fast scoring, but it isn't as fast as you think when you break it down. It's only 1 run per ball or 3 scoring shots per over. KISS principle.
This advice was given to me at an early age by Greg Chappell, and I found it worked quite well when I played many years ago.
Hope this helps you also.
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Q: Stuart Broad had a couple of his magic spells during the first test but did he get his tactics wrong with the new ball in the second innings in hindsight? Was he trying too hard to york the lower order batsmen out when good lengths would have been more difficult. At this level, what sort of bowling troubles the lower order?
A: Variety on the stumps. i.e Subtle changes of pace on off stump to a lower order batsman usually works. Make them play on the front foot and you will get a spooned catch with the slower ball, or LBW or bowled with the quicker off / leg cutter. Most lower order batsmen are waiting for the Yorker. Anderson should have been bowling more, as he is smarter and not a "one pace" bowler.
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Q: Within the past 50 years an Australian Test bowler became the first Australian in Test Cricket history to dismiss all 11 opposition batters in a Test match?
Can you name the bowler?
A: I think it was Geoff Dymock.
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