Here’s a common problem; you are batting in a run chase and the rate is climbing. Your big hitter is back in the pavilion and you have always been more of a touch player.

Easy, think of the chase as less about a sprint and more about a marathon.

Chasing runs rates is just as much about pacing trying to finish it as quickly as possible.

This video is the 2^nd free preview of the online coaching course Batting Lion: the Desmond Haynes

It’s a muggy overcast day and the opening bowler is moving the new ball all over the place; you’re playing the ball as late as you can but are still struggling.

There’s only one thing left to do, and that is charge him!

It's not as crazy as it sounds, read on.

Swing bowling is the downfall of many prolific batsman; and late swing is the most destructive weapon in a bowlers armoury.

Playing in an orthodox way you have no way to counteract the evils of the ball moving late and nicking off. Until you consider moving down the track.

As you know, the PitchVision Academy Cricket Show gives away online coaching for free for simply submitting a question.

Last week’s winner was community member Shrey Rajgarhia with his question on overcoming the fear of playing with more experienced cricketers. You can listen to the full question and answer on the podcast; click here.

This free video is part of the online coaching course Batting Lion: the Desmond Haynes Masterclass.

In this preview of the course the former-West Indies opener and batting coach reveals his method for succeeding against bowlers who can swing it and find the edge of your bat.

If you have ever nicked off to a ball that swung late and spent the rest of the day muttering to yourself about how unfair the game is, this is the video for you.

When you think of legendary opening batsmen, you don’t have to make a long list before you get to Desmond Leo Haynes.

The West Indies opener forged the most successful opening partnership of all time with Gordon Greenidge and picked up a thing or two about batting over the course of 26,000 first-class runs.

Aakash Chopra joins the show on the phone to discuss the mindsets of being a successful player. But that doesn’t mean we miss any of the usual fun.

KP has the switch-hit, Dilshan has the Dil-scoop and Dhoni has the Helicopter shot. As club cricketers we can't use any of these high risk shots without looking foolish.

But this doesn’t mean us mere mortals can’t play any innovative shots to aid run rates.

While some of the more extreme shots are beyond us, we can all play shots outside the batting manual to implement lower risk shots that are still innovative. 

At club cricket the slower ball is Marmite. 

People either love it or hate because there’s a thin line between bravery and stupidity. Deciding when to use a slower ball is subjective and relative to the situation.

I see most people (and I myself am guilty of this too) bowl a slower ball after they have been hit for a boundary as a comeback ball.