The IPL is here. Cricket is big money. It's a new world and it’s time we as club cricketers responded to the challenge.

Modern cricket is built on excitement: Power, speed, athleticism and light speed tactical thinking. The whole game is changing thanks to the 20 over format.

Whatever length game you play it's time to consider some new ways of playing.

Why are there so many poor fielders despite fielding taking up more time in a game than any other skill?

There is a conflict: Fielding is a selfless act. You don't get credit in the score book for saving runs. A couple of catches is no match winning bowling spell.

Fielding is the last thing many players want to do and as a result, they suck.

We have all been there: You can't hit the ball off the square. Every other delivery you bowl is a long hop and your catching has your captain placing you as far from the ball as possible.

If there is a 'zone' for cricket then you are in the exact opposite place: Stuck in a rut of bad form.

Try harder?

It’s time to take a leaf from the music world and become a rock star.

Rock stars, real stars that is, buck the trend and walk with a swagger. They ignore what came before and change everything that comes afterwards.

Purpose: Grooving best fielding practices in a match-like environment. Everyone is encoraged to support each other as a team in the field.

Ian Botham, it was often said, was England’s ‘go to’ bowler. He made things happen. He took wickets. Famously he often did it without bowling as well as others.

Beefy just had that magical touch.

While it would be impossible to plan to bowl a rank long hop that gets hit straight to backward point, there are some elements we can take from great go to bowlers of the past.

 And now for the HARD part!
Remember - you only get out of an exercise what you are willing and able to put into the exercise!

Try some of these after you've warmed up and done your basics. Always good to have some new drills to work at to keep things fresh! 

This is a GREAT clip! No fancy shoes or tracksuits...no flash training field....just some cones, some committed trainers trying to get better and a MANIC coach screaming at them! LOVE IT! WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE FIX HIS CONE?!!!!