Concentration

When you get to a high level, 80% of batting is in the mind, 20% is technique.

CONCENTRATION is wiping everything out of your mind except the job in hand (e.g. before you face the first ball, focus on the centre of the ball). Remember - relaxed in body, alert in mind

How many times have you been out because you lost concentration? You could have prevented this.

1. Playing at a wide ball
2. Hitting the ball into the air
3. Hitting across the line
4. Trying to score too early in your innings (rushing, and making shots under pressure)
5. Too eager to hit boundaries
6. Getting run out
7. NOT WATCHING THE BALL
8. Overcoming fears

What is the game plan?
1. Accumulating runs: 2 or 3 per over. How do we do this?
Quick singles and good running between the wickets.

2. Pick up the run rate: hitting boundaries. How do we do this?
Where are my strengths? (Line up the balls) Disciplined shot selection. Strike the ball with correct technique.

What sort of pitch? What sort of bowler?
1. Wet wicket: only hit balls that are really there.
Punish the bad ball - GET TO THE PITCH.

2. Hard pitch first bowlers favour the back foot.
USE THE PACE OF THE BALL. Let the ball come.

The batsman's train of thought from the dressing room to the first ball

Focusing on the job in hand (in order of importance, point 4 being the most important):
1. The pitch, the bowlers, the fielders.
2. Game plan: What is my task?
3. Confidence: I can do the job!
4. Finally, focus on the ball, even before the bowler starts his run up.

Set a realistic innings goal. Believe you can achieve it. Successfully visualise achieving it in detail. Focus your mind, concentrate on the ball and do it!

1. When do you start to think about your innings? Before you get to the middle? When you arrive at the ground? NOT just before facing the first ball!

2. What things should you consider when thinking about an innings? PITCH - Is it a wet pitch? Slow and low? Hard and bouncing? Turning square, seaming?
BOWLERS - Fast? Spinners? Medium pacers?
FIELDERS - Weak fielders? Strong fielders? Fielders standing too deep?
MATCH SITUATION - Overs remaining? Runs needed? How long to bat out for a draw?

3. Overall team targets and game plan
(a) How many runs do you need (runs per over)?
(b) Playing for a draw?
(c) Declaration time.
How long to bat? What's your target?

4. What is your individual target and game plan?
(a) How many runs per over?
(b) Give the strike to the man who is already in.
(c) Keep the score ticking over. Think about how - Quick singles.
(d) What do you see as your scoring shots?

5. How are you going to achieve it? For example:
(a) Get quick singles, bring the fielders in.
(b) Pierce the gaps.
(c) Hit bad balls.
(d) Patience and good, DISCIPLINED shot selection!

6. Total self-belief “I can do this, whatever the situation. I am the man for the job, here and how, today.”

7. Finally...
CONCENTRATE ON THE BALL (from the bowler's hand) - FOCUS!