All professional cricket teams are now equipped with a mysterious figure hunched over a laptop during matches; the analyst. But what does an analyst really do that is different from the coach?

It used to be the case that great facilities and coaching was the domain of the professional game. That’s coming to an end, as the story of Marieta Pretorius’ backyard shows.

When Marieta’s son began showing a keen interest in cricket, she helped him with the right gear and a free taxi service to his coaching in Whiteriver, South Africa.

Ryan Maron - the former Western Province player - is one of South Africa’s leading coaches, running his famous Cricket School of Excellence in Cape Town for over 10 years as well as being Head coach of the University of Cape Town.

In this series, Ryan gives his batting tips for talented young cricketers. This week the tips are all to do with the lofted drive.

 The Olympics are looming, and while cricket is not an Olympic sport it will be making an appearance at the opening ceremony for London 2012. The team get their teeth into Olympic Cricket this week.

Burners, David Hinchliffe and Mark Garaway also dig into the mailbag to answer questions on mental strength and playing cutters. As usual the answers are not from the textbook.

Plus Burners is liberal with his definition of a minute, and we re-coin a fielding position phrase in the Tailender.

When your cricket team is batting, the role of the changing room and balcony is to ensure that the next batter goes into the wicket feeling focused, relaxed and positive.

This is irrespective of the challenge that he is walking into.

It is our job as coaches to protect that environment; to educate the players in appropriate winning language and behaviours because they facilitate excellent performances from your players in the toughest of circumstances.

Accuracy gets wickets: Glenn McGrath, Zaheer Khan, Veron Philander and many others at the highest level have proven the method.

Alongside pace, there is nothing more important to the quick bowler.

But accuracy is difficult. You have to run up and hit a very small target area time and time again. Any weakness in your action is revealed by poor balls that take the pressure off the batsman. You end up frustrated by a good over that is ruined by a wide half volley then a leg stump long hop as you try and compensate.

This week’s winner of the Cricket Show podcast question competition is Michael. He wins a free coaching course from PitchVision Academy.

"I'm a spin bowler but my captain is always reluctant to bowl me. The most common way of me getting a bowl is when its 30 overs in and both batsmen are set and having a slog. I can't get into rhythm and find my length when the bloke at the other end is charging me. I may get the odd wicket but I go for plenty of runs which decreases the captains confidence in me even more. What should I do prove myself and consequently get more overs? "

Listen to the panel’s answer to his question here.

To enter your own question for the chance to win your choice of online coaching course send your questions in here. 

I got this email from a reader recently:

“I have read your articles on staying calm and relaxed at the crease but they don't seem to work. I have the ability but completely lack confidence in the middle. Please help!”

 I can hear the frustration in that email. I’ve seen it countless times before; the batter nervously waiting for his turn, already thinking about how he might get himself out or how the bowler is too good for him.

Heck, I’ve been there myself. In fact, much better players than me have.

It reminded me of the Canadian Singer Alanis Morrissette. She sings a song called You Oughta Know on the album Jagged Little Pill.

In this series, we give you a sample workout you can use from the extensive database of cricket fitness programmes at PitchVision Academy. To see the full list, click here.

As this is a new series, we will start with the warm up. That’s because - for most cricketers - the warm up is the last thing on the list when it comes to improving skill or fitness.

 This is a series where we reveal some real workouts you can do to improve your cricket fitness.

Here we will delve into a plan that gives you exercises, sets, reps and rest for every type of player from the beginner to those hoping to become a professional.

Subscribe to the newsletter to get the latest workout. They will also be posted here.

Cricket Fitness Workout List