Every now and again I'll update you with my own schedule, just to give you an idea of how a club player can do it. Hopefully it will give you some context to my tips.

After upping my calorie intake slightly last time to get more lean muscle I found all that happened was that my weight went up by 1kg and my body fat up by 3%. This could be to do with missing several 5-a-side and sprint sessions too.

The idea of training is not attractive for a lot of club cricketers. The attitude of many players is that winning is important, but you must win without trying too hard.

Perhaps the Corinthian past (and present) has something to do with it.

That means that practice is seen as an amusing distraction, going to the gym elicits looks of mild shock (as happened to me the other day when I mentioned it to a youth team coach) and a post game cool down is nothing more than raising a coolbeer to your lips.

From time to time, guest posters will give you a slightly different take on cricket. Today David Virgo of cricketfitness.com gives his views on the idea of core stability.

Cricket is an intermittently explosive game that requires explosive speed strength, rotating, bending and holding of certain positions. The core strength will enhance these qualities. Adequate core stability keeps you safe from injury and able to produce power throughout these movements.

• Club cricket in Wiltshire goes all Twenty20. White balls and coloured clothing and all. Anyone playing in this competition? If so get in touch.
• Improve your game with a mental workout.
• How to plan an individuals fitness training. More insightful stuff.
• Tips on how to improve your batting strike rate.

Most clubs play league and cup cricket these days. From the County Championship down to Under 13's, there is always trophy to play for. But building a winning side is a combination of complex factors, something that comes naturally to some sides while others struggle to gel together over a summer.