photo credit: Tc7

Bowling faster is the holy grail for many seamers. One method that has been borrowed from field athletics is using a heavier ball to bowl with.

Does it work?

The theory behind heavy ball bowling is simple: Using a heavier ball should overload the muscles you use to bowl with. When returning to a normal ball you will be stronger and therefore able to bowl with more pace.

"If i wanted to increase my speed and strength for bowling, would it be odd if i ran on a treadmill with 5KG weights in both of my hands at about 15kph?"

This question was emailed to me recently by a reader.

While the only odd question is one that is not asked, I have to say that training like this would not be the most effective method. Mainly because it wouldn't work, but also because there are many better ways to get the same result.

Charlie is a 19 year old batsman on the brink of making it as a regular in his club 1st XI. He is aiming to score a century in that team this year and in the longer term make it into county cricket. Last year he met his goal of scoring a first team 50 and averaged 16.5.

Mental Skills

Charlie has a good mental approach and uses a lot of techniques already to maintain concentration and set goals. He wants to gain self confidence and this can be done by some more specific goal setting. I feel he may also benefit from learning how to relax at the crease and will show him some ways to do this.

Today's coaching tip is from new guest poster Matt Homes.

photo credit: jnxyz

"You are an athlete in your approach to the wicket, until you hit the crease when you become a bowler."

I hear that phrase a lot from various coaches to fast/medium paced bowlers. It's very true as this maintains the momentum to work in straight lines towards the target with a good arm drive.

Matt is captain, opening bowler and lower order biffer for a side in the West Sussex Cricket League. He is in his mid 30s and last year averaged 16 with the bat and 24 with the ball taking 12 wickets in 13 games. He has recently dropped down a level to captain and improve standards but last year things did not go his way personally or as a team. This season he wants to turn the team round from a bottom side to win promotion.

photo credit: Usodesita

I just joined an 'old school' bodybuilding/powerlifting gym and it's one of the best decisions I have made for my game.

A spit and sawdust gym might not seem an obvious place to start improving your performance in the middle. In the few short weeks I have been there I can say it has had nothing but a positive effect. Here is why:

Here are 2 more participants in the Case Study series this year.

James

James is another unique member of the trial. He calls himself a 'specialist fielder' although he does bat and bowl at 3rd XI level in the West Sussex Cricket League Division 4. He has little experience in the game having taken it up for social reasons last year. He has no ambitions to play at a higher level, just to have more success at his current standard.

image credit: Cronfeld

A friend who I had not seen for a while was staying with me for a few days. He was shocked when he saw what I ate.

"Are you trying to bulk up?" he asked.

I'm not sure what prompted the comment. I was eating a salmon fillet with spinach at the time. Perhaps he had seen in my supplement cupboard. A place that I admit appears to be bulging with all kinds of powders and pills.

I have been sent a great story by Jon Dixon about a Beach cricket event he is putting on this year. Take a moment to check out the details:

Proceeds from the first ever UK International Beach Cricket Tournament are to go back to local cricket this summer. Set on the glorious sands of Weymouth Beach the event will feature players from village green to Test arena.