![]() When used in this way sledging can be a help either to the team sledging or the team being sledged, depending on their responses. Nothing derogatory was said, nor anything abusive. It worked as he got into the mind of the batsman and as a consequence he was caught on the boundary going for the big hit. Nothing nasty was said, just a challenge for the batsman to smash the ball out of the park. The problem is we only focus on the negative and as a result we now associate sledging with asking after the opposition's mother or the parentage of their children.Ī classic piece of sledging came from Flintoff to Tino Best. ![]() It's about getting in the mind of the opposition, not verbally abusing them. Sledging can simply be a case of saying 'Hello' or telling the batsman he's looking good. Why does sledging always have to have negative connotations? Just because the media picks up on the rogue element it doesn't always have to be that way. You can use their fear to take yourself ahead of the pack and become the most positive, attacking cricketer you know.Ĭombine your new found physical attributes with a strong mental approach and you will be streets ahead. This is a shame for them, but a boon to you. They are worried it will somehow upset their delicate cricket skills. Not bad for a couple of visits to the gym a week.ĭespite the incredible weight of evidence in favour of this, some people still fear strength and speed training. The former choice can allow him to take more quick singles, bowl faster and hit harder in all situations. If he did put in the time in the gym he would be lean, strong and athletic. Imagine a player had a choice to workout and eat healthy or not. Just swearing at someone is not as effective anyway. The key, like all aggressive cricket, is to be positive in your intent. I'm not suggesting you take the negative side of sledging too far here. You know you are on top when a side are quiet in the field for example. As a game of confidence this can make all the difference and even influence the rest of the team. The right thing said at the right time can undermine a player's confidence though. Some players respond to comments by improving their play, especially if they are feeling confident. There is no reason why it should be but used carefully it can be very effective. Sledging, rightly or wrongly, is linked to aggressive cricket. Seamers can groove their actions to get every ounce of pace, spinners can learn how to accurately bowl variations (like googlies, arm balls or extra flight) and batsman can develop new shots. You can also work on skills that allow you to play more aggressively. Make it challenging and you will be teaching yourself to play positive. You can set a match situation (end of innings, middle overs, opening few overs) and a target for runs or wickets. Practice games are far and away the best way to practice an aggressive philosophy. There are several more effective methods. As you have gathered, this is just one very limited form of aggressive batting. It's not uncommon to go into the nets on practice day and slog from the first ball. That may mean learning how to work the ball into the gaps while batting or learn some variations when the ball is not doing what you want it to. The answer is to assess the situation and be as positive as you can be given the circumstances. It's very rare you will find yourself at either end of the spectrum. It's a continuum where you can select any spot between the two depending how you want to play. ![]() You can even be aggressive in defence.Īggression is not a choice between slog/play properly. Your play could easily start to feel unnatural to you and you end up losing your wicket. There is no benefit to aggressive play in that situation surely?Īs many Test match commentators tell us, it's often fatal to try and defend everything instead of scoring at your normal rate. ![]() Imagine one of the least aggressive match situations: Playing out for a draw. This will give you the freedom to play positively. In short, learn how to stay relaxed and confident under pressure by doing what you know works. Try to bowl fast, try to spin the ball as far as possible and look to hit the ball as much as the game situation allows. He was a genius with the bat, but his mindset is exactly what you need to copy if you are to become more positive in your game. Look at one of the finest positive cricketers of modern times: Viv Richards. Saying you will play aggressively is a good soundbite but is it always practical and how do you apply the theory? ![]() It's important to know what it means to be aggressive in your cricket. Aggression is a mindset, not an on/off switch. The best brand of aggressive cricket you can play is the selective type. Will playing attacking cricket get you better results than playing the percentage game?įast bowling, big spinning and hard hitting are fun, but cricket is a subtle game. ![]()
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