Imagine standing at the top of your mark on a warm summer day. The batsman is ready, the keeper and slips are way back in the distance.

You are the one with the ball; all the batsman can do is respond to what you deliver. What happens next is up to you.

But it’s how you view the batsman that is all important to your personality (and success) as a bowler.

Research has shown that it takes around 10 years of daily practice (2-3 hours a day) to reach the pinnacle of any discipline.

It’s where the famous 10,000 hour rule comes from. It’s a rule so powerful it can make anyone a decent cricketer no matter how much natural talent they have (or lack).

This is part 2 of a 2 part series by Gary Palmer on batting against left arm swing bowling. To go to part 1 click here.

If you can’t play the on drive well you will struggle against left arm over bowlers so go away and work on that shot from the left arm over angle of feed.

In particular, technical points to look for are:

1. Open stance

This is part 1 of a 2 part series by Gary Palmer about batting against left arm over bowlers.

The most successful batsmen have efficient techniques against all angles and types of bowler.

Lesser players struggle against left arm over pace bowling, especially the ones who swing the ball back in to the batter. This problem is apparent with all ages and standards of cricketers.

The last few weeks before the cricket season starts are the time when we are all most motivated.

So why not make the most of this time by getting your preparation spot on?

Mike Selvey, cricket writer, commentator and England international knows a thing or two about fast bowling. He took over 1000 wickets.

But he’s perpetuating a myth will harm upcoming young bowlers if they follow his advice.

So it’s time for a rebuttal; long, slow distance running is not the way to get fit for bowling.

This is part of the specialist fielding series of articles, for the full list of fielding positions covered click here.

If I asked you to name a great fielder who would you name?

Jonty Rhodes? Paul Collingwood? Ricky Ponting?

Chances are you would name someone who fields in the covers, the fielding position that requires the widest range of skills and the most dramatic and athletic performances.

How do great leg spinners get started?

Bowler’s like Shane Warne, Abdul Quadir and Anil Kumble are exciting. They take wickets with art, style and guile. They do it without having the advantages of pace and fear that the quicks have.

This is a guest article on nutrition from supplement company Maxinutrition.