With just over a week before PitchVision Academy Live! starts in Manchester, there are only a couple of places left .

Think of the excellent one day ‘finisher’ batsmen like Michael Bevan, Eoin Morgan and MS Dhoni: The guys who can win a game by being there at the end of the innings.

They all have the ability to keep up with the run rate through innovative batting. It seems they can play the same ball into at least 2 different areas of the pitch.

Purpose: To practice the one hand pickup and underarm throw under pressure in a competitive situation.

Description: Players stand in pairs opposite each other about 20m apart with one ball per pair. On cue, players roll the ball slowly towards their partner. As soon as the ball is released the partner runs in picks up the ball one handed and underarms it back.

Being an outdoor sport on a big field, cricket doesn’t lend itself well to being indoors. But there is a thriving indoor game, especially in the UK and Australia during the winter months.

It’s fast, furious and the ‘five-a-side football’ version of cricket.

I must admit I’ve never played a proper game, only ever netting indoors. The idea has never appealed much.

Andrew Flintoff, it was often said, was not built for fast bowling. The stresses of the action eventually forced him to retire through injury.

But anyone who can send a series of cricket balls crashing down at 90mph onto the same handkerchief sized bit of pitch must have some kind of build for it.

Flintoff was both blessed and cursed; built for fast bowling with a built in obsolescence.

So what are the traits a fast bowler really needs to be quick and injury free?

It’s a heartbreaking moment as a batsman. The bowler serves up a half-volley, the ball pings from the middle of the bat.

The ‘keeper probably compounds your pain with a quick “you missed out there, I thought that was a gimmie” perhaps you let the frustration get to you and end up playing an injudicious shot (let’s be honest, we all have had an ugly heave under pressure), miss it and get out.

All because you hit the fielder and not the gap.

Fast bowlers are a temperamental lot, especially if it’s not ‘coming out right’.

 The same guy who last week was scaring batsmen and knocking over stumps with fury in his eyes has this week become a warm cuddly friend to the batsmen bowling gentle medium pace.

This drill is part of the PitchVision Academy fielding drills series, for more in this series click here.

Purpose: A realistic way to practice slip catching for the whole cordon. This drill requires a well practiced coach to make it worthwhile.

Years ago, changes to the Laws of cricket changed the game.

Round arm allowed bowlers to increase their pace in the 1800’s. In the 1930’s, the Bodyline controversy caused fielding restrictions and the banning of the overuse of bouncers.

These days Law changes don’t have quite the impact, but they still happen.

This is a guest article by Daniel Maddocks of T20Kids.com: Promoting Cricket for Kids. Daniel is an ECB Coach with experience in coaching young cricketers in the North West of England.

When it comes to role models we often think about the likes of Glenn McGrath or Sachin Tendulkar; the great cricketers who had the ability to inspire millions.