There no worse practice than when a set of bowlers practice one element of the game; and the batters try to work on another element entirely. 

Disjointed net sessions are counterproductive because nobody gets what they want: least of all you as the coach.

Every team has the unlucky bowler who beats the edge to ohhs and ahhs from the slips yet picks up the rare wicket.  The ball just swings too much to find the edge.

Can you turn that bowler from “unlucky fred” into “fantastic fred”?

This is a simple yet highly effective drill I have used with players right up to international level to improve straight driving.

The drill is to get players to hit balls with all your weight on the front foot, the back leg in the air. The feed starts underarm before progressing through to throw-downs and bowling machines.

The team’s attention turns to selection this week as we examine how modern sides decide on teams and succession planning (in the context of Australia taking on South Africa).

Gary Palmer also returns to the show to continue his revealing interview on coaching batters at all levels.

And we answer your questions on captaincy while wicketkeeping and how to stop playing everything off the front foot when you bat.

In the last few years modern innovative shots have become far more common.

But without tactics, all those dil-scoops, switch-hits, fine sweeps and charges down the wicket are ineffective.

Mark Garaway gets the big fanfare this week as he launches his “Coaching to Win” coach education section on the site, and the podcast is a big part of the action.

We talk about the importance of continuing education for coaches and the DRS at club level.

Gary Palmer returns for the 2^nd part of his interview on batting coaching where he talks more about applying his principles from grass-roots to elite levels.

And we answer your questions on pre-match batting drills and trigger moves.

In 1983, I moved to the Isle of Wight.

Ventnor Cricket Club quickly became my second home. At the time they were playing only friendly fixtures.

It was a million miles away from the 21^st century England team which I would go on to become Assistant Coach.

You have a vital job as head of the colts section at your club.

Every club is battling for survival; including yours. Even the finest players have to retire. Without a conveyor belt of youngsters coming through your club will die.

The best way to handle the pressure is to keep calm and carry on with these ways to keep your club alive:

Focus on fun

Today’s article is a guest post from Darren Talbot; Professional coach, Managing Director of Darren Talbot Cricket Coaching and founder committee member of the Surrey ECB Coaches Association.

Twenty20 has undoubtedly transformed cricket over the past few years. Its effects can be seen in club cricket too.

A new phrase is creeping in to cricket: Laptop coaching. And it’s not seen as a good thing.

It’s all pervasive in professional cricket: Analysts record every ball of matches and coaches pour over the stats looking for trends. Innings and bowling spells are recorded and catalogued for later analysis. Critics say the approach is responsible for creating robotic cricketers with no life skills beyond the ability to ‘hit the right areas’.