It's been a while since I posted the top selling books through my Amazon store. Here are the bestselling books of the year so far in order of popularity:

1. The Fast Bowler's Bible
2. Cricket Coachmaster: Batting Mechanics
3. SAQ Cricket: Speed, Agility and Quickness For Cricket
4. The Art of Wrist Spin Bowling

photo credit: Rick212

It's quite something to think that club cricketers have been playing the shortest version of the game since the first after work matches in the 1920s.

And the IPL thought Twenty20 was a new idea.

Generations of club players have grown up in the format that takes a couple of hours. In recent times the top players have shown the club game how it is done. What can we learn from them, and what should be cast aside when trying to win our local competitions?

photo credit: gingerninjah

People have started to notice. Time is catching up on you.

As you get older the 'promising youngster' tag has slowly vanished and your waistline is making the creep towards middle aged spread. In the past a rut of form was written off, but now you find selectors dropping you down a standard. They tell you they are giving the younger ones a chance but you suspect they think your eyes are going.

photo credit: one-11

As the Australian and South African teams have proven in recent years, strength and conditioning has become a critical element in cricket success.

It's no longer enough to be a talented bowler or batsman to make enough of an impact to break into top level cricket.

You also need to be fast, powerful, and agile even after a long day in the sunshine.

Purpose: Practicing backing up and throwing at a stump.

photo credit: thribble

Has your side ever badly needed a wicket to win turn a game back your way?

For many years Warne and McGrath the 'turn to' men for Australia. In times of trouble all Ricky Ponting had to do was toss the ball to one of them and let chaos ensue. Between them they took over 2000 International wickets.

photo credit: karimian

What's the secret to eating for maximum stamina on the cricket pitch?

It all boils down to balance.

If you eat a diet that balances out fat, protein and carbohydrate from whole, natural sources you are eating consistently. There is nothing the body likes more than a consistent stream of energy that it can use while you are batting, bowling or fielding.

photo credit: jragon

Are you a skinny cricketer who wants to improve? Then this article is for you.

Make a list of all the things you would like to be able to do better on the cricket pitch. Be as precise as you can. Write it down if you like or just do it in your head.

Don't read on until you have done the list.

This post is inspired (with permission) by Ian Pont's Fast Bowler's Bible. Click here to pick up a copy.

Just like smoking, you shouldn't bowl front foot no balls.

Ever.

Neither habit is very good for you. That is scant consolation if you do find your foot stepping over the line though. Like a nicotine addict you find the harder you try to stop the harder it becomes. It starts to become an unbreakable habit.

Nobody understands how difficult it is.