Winning Formula

Only three weeks since we first aired our aspirations to play in the league cricket format and here it comes, Chennai Cheetahs are now part of TCA league (Tennis ball Cricket Association - Bay Area chapter).

Convincing a group of players who play recreational cricket during the weekends to participate in the league format itself is an accomplishment. However, that should not end up as our only accomplishment by the end of the league season. I am sure Cheetahs can go a long way in the league cricket format. A few key factors that go in favor of the Cheetahs right at the outset are:

1. A well knit group of friends, with lots of familiarity
2. Will to succeed
3. Attitude to accept feedback in the right spirit
4. No politics (Hopefully it will stay this way)

Excellent team camaraderie alone cannot produce winning results. Having observed our players play over an year time period, I feel we have players with decent cricketing skills to pull off a victory, coming together as a team.

Having skilled players alone does not guarantee a victory to any team. We all know that our own Indian team with Fab 4 or Fab 5 lost to a team like Bangladesh in a crucial world cup tie, costing us the tournament. Cricket, is a game where you can lose before you enter the field by not going in the right state of mind. Australians have preyed on mentally weak opponents, using trash talk and intimidation tactics.

Fearless attitude is key to victory in any sport. One should not worry about the results and strive to produce high quality performance in the field all the time. Results will follow automatically. Our team has decent batting, a good bowling unit and some really good, sharp fielders. The only thing, we lack is experience playing in big league games. Personally, I have played a lot of cricket during my childhood days. Opened bowling for my school. Got hit for a 6 followed by a boundary by a national level U-15 player during the first 2 balls of the finals game in a district inter school tournament. That incident did not stop me from playing cricket. I have progressively learnt a lot of things, by playing game with the right frame of mind. Each of us can have bad days, but the remaining members should compensate realizing the situation and make sure non performance by one player on a particular day does not really impact the result of the game.

I would like to share a few tips to play good quality cricket. Not all games will necessarily produce a winning result. At the same time, we will never go down without a fight. We need to stick to some very basic discipline in all the departments of the game.

Batting:

• Our players have the tendency to throw away wickets. We all need to value our wicket as much as the runs we score. If a handful of us make the same mistake, we have a collapse on hand.
• 2 or 3 quick wickets to bad bowling can make even a bad bowling unit look good and boost them with confidence and put more pressure on the next batsman in line.
• Bad balls should be punished, even if it is the first ball of the match.
• Try to play by getting behind the line of the ball all the time. Stay away from cross batted shots, unless we are into the slog overs or we have a specific fielding area to target.
• Never go for a premeditated shot. Play each and every ball to its merit. Never decide to slog on the leg side before the bowler starts his run up!
• If you are a well set batsman, try to capitalize on the time spent at the crease and extend the innings as much as possible. Not all the 11 players need to bat during the game :)
• It is OK to leave balls that are too wide outside the off stump, unless they are short pitched and within striking range. Avoid slashing at wide deliveries away from your body and get caught in the slips or point region. You don't want to get out to a wide delivery. We not only lose a wicket, but the extra run too!
• Rotate the strike. It is not always easy to get in the grove right after we get to the crease. Rotating the strike relieves the pressure on the slow scoring batsman and also provides opportunity for the non-striker. In case of left right combination, this should be mandatory as it disrupts bowlers rhythm.
• 1s and 2s are also runs! not all hits have to reach the boundary. Slog only the really bad balls and if the ball is in the slot to be hit.

Running between wickets:

• Run outs are costly. We should look forward to having 0 run outs in every game.
• Never predetermine the number of runs after hitting the ball. Run according to the situation. Always try to face the fielder while completing the run. GROUND your bat.
• Always look at the fielder and the ball position prior to calling for the run. Starting for a run when the ball is in the fielders hands always ends in a disaster.
• Never try to put pressure on the fielder by running when the ball is in the fielders hands. This only puts pressure on the batsman or non-striker!
• Call it loud. If the ball is behind you, have the non striker call it.
• It is OK to run when the ball is hit a few yards away from the fielder in the gap, and the fielder is getting to it.

Bowling:

• Never think about the reputation of a batsman. People may say, the batsman is the Tendulkar of the bay area. Even Tendulkar respects a good ball. Why not bowl a good ball with a decent line and length?
• Decide on line and length of the delivery prior to starting the run up. Never make a decision about the delivery while you are on the run, clarity of mind is very important to land the delivery in the right area.
• Pace does not intimidate batsmen in tennis ball cricket. Use your energy wisely!
• Just short of length deliveries are fine if you have fielders in catching positions.
• Try to bowl full and straight during the slog overs. Sloggers are bound to get bowled with such deliveries
• Stick to an off side line slightly outside the off stump in the good length area. Easier said than done. However, try to get it there.
• Bowl to the field. Have a say on the field placements. You know where you are going to bowl!

Fielding:

• Be alert. Anticipate the shot from the batsman. That way you have a yard or 2 advantage over the batsman.
• Walk towards the batsman, never worry about misfield while making a rush for pick and throw. Most of the time the batsman think the ball is in your hand and don't make a run!
• Back up the throw on the other side of the wicket keeper or bowler. Without proper back up, fielders cannot be confident with quick throw at the stumps for run outs.
• Dropping catches are OK. It is not a crime. However, try not to stare and gaze at the rest of fielders to look at their reaction. Quickly pick up the dropped ball and throw it to the keeper or bowler, you can always effect a run out if the batsman was watching you drop the ball while the non-striker went for the run!
• It is OK to bowl a wide to effect a stumping, in case a batsman walks out to hit you!

Wicket keeper:

• Keeper should expect the throw at hip height from fielders if he has a major role in a run out.
• Keeper can provide tips to the bowler. Point crease position of the batsman to the bowler and advise on field placements.
• More tips needed here...

Overall:

• No target is too low for a quick win or too high beyond our reach.
• Lets approach each game with a positive frame of mind.

As simple as these instructions may sound, sticking to some these basics, could very well make the difference between our team ending up on the winning or losing side.

Wish you all the best for a very good cricketing season!

P.S. Please do not hesitate to point any errors in the instructions, or add some I may have missed. Lets do this as a team!