Sports Vision - Bowling in Cricket

After 5 good deliveries, the bowler bowls a poor ball that gets hit for four. A batsman has been tied down by a spell of good bowling, and ten plays a wild shot, throwing his wicket away. A bowler has bowled several good overs, then a poor ball, “the worst ball I’ve bowled all day”, takes a wicket.

These things happen all the time in matches, but how often do they happen in the nets? Rarely, if ever. Most of the time, bowlers are used as fodder to give the batsmen time at the crease. Are they really practising their trade effectively?

In a match, the bowler can put pressure on a batsman by bowling a succession of testing deliveries. So why not get bowlers to ball 6 balls at a time in the nets? Markers on the nets can indicate fielders’ positions, and if you have an umpire in place, judgements can be made on appeals and runs scored.

Bowling is an aiming activity, with the point where the ball pitches being the target. This point will vary according to the type of delivery the bowler wants to bowl, as well as the style and stature of the striker. These can be marked on the floor of the net, and adjusted if necessary, for instance if the striker starts batting out of his crease. These marks may also help the striker pick up the length of deliveries, so they help both bowlers and batsmen.

If no balls are a problem, the popping crease can be highlighted, but it’s essential that he bowler uses their peripheral vision for the popping crease, maintaining fixation on the point where they want the ball to pitch. The no ball problem can often be cured by simply moving he bowler’s mark forward (Note: not back).

For more information please visit http://www.donneroptometrists.co.uk/sports-vision.htm