Billericay 4th XI (June 2018).
I didn't get a picture of this bloke, but he's one of their young players - probably about 14 years old (June 2018) and he's the opener. In our game he scored 51. All the data here is for a seam attack. I wasn't deployed in the game as a bowler until the very last over and the captain commented at the end of the game...
"Why on earth wasn't you used"?
For such a young player he was very good and he adapted to the game situation as it went along. He started off with a bloke that was a few years older than he was, but despite that, it looked as though Dale was calling the shots and dictating how they approached the game.
Initially he took a positive/aggressive approach to playing - looking to split the field and score 4's through the gaps. One of the shots that he looked to play consistently was the cover-drive, but I was fielding there and that's one of my favorite positions and I blocked (possibly) every single shot he played through that region virtually negating every shot, at best he might have scored a few quick run singles. He then adapted his game and played cut and pull-shots with which he had more success, but seeing the change in approach our captain placed the fielders accordingly (Brian Waterman). Dale then spoke to the other bloke and they changed tactics again, now looking for singles and this worked in their favour.
For such a young player he was exceptionally confident and well organised.
This is the in-game pitch map.
His strongest shot and the one that he played with the most finesse was his cover-drive, but it was played so well the ball was hit through virtually the exact same zone each time. All you need to do to negate it is to field in that area, but several yards deeper to give the impression that there's a run to be had each time. This also gives the impression of if you're so far out and the ball is hit cleanly it may evade you because it may be slightly wide. By being initially so far out you invite the chance of the run and the shot, but as the bowler runs in, you move in significantly (I actually trot in). This increases the chance of you being able to stop any ball either side of you as you narrow the angles and it means you end up in a position to stop the single.
My suggestion as a Wrist-Spinner would be to try this field here below...
No.1 play to the kids ego. He has a good cover-drive and in our game he started with it, it appears to be his go to shot. Bowl the ball over the wicket using the line indicated (B). Initially bowl with less revs to give the impression the ball is playable try and impart less spin (Small leg break) and look to entice that cover-drive. It might be the case that this is enough and you'll get the edge easily, but if he fancies his chances against wrist-spin and he's got it in his mind that he's got to get on top of you psychologically he might have a go. If he does don't worry, you want him driving that ball through the gap indicated by A. What you want is to make him feel that this is his scoring zone, then once he's hit a few, even to the point he may have hit a boundary or two - you then change up...
Hopefully he's on the front foot - coming out of his ground or at full stretch driving the ball. All you then have to do is bowl the same delivery (Line and flight) but add the revs, the ball will come down and he'll think its the same length and spin attributes, but it'll dip more and then turn more. The outcome will be he'll edge it to be caught by 2,4,5,6 or even 8 or he'll run past it for a stumping. Should be easy.
A more defensive approach________________________________
Again, you're looking to encourage that cover-drive, but you deploy the same approach that I adopted. No.11 is positioned deeper than normal, but as soon as you're into your approach to the crease he sets off too. He'd have seen you further out and in his mind there's a single there or he'll be able to get the ball either side of you, but you jog in and close down the opportunity for the single and decrease the width aspect. He might then look to drive harder and then the same approach with regards putting more revs on the ball once he thinks he's got the better of you.
A word of warning.
He'll be physically bigger and stronger and potentially better? Remember too he's good - he seemed to be running the show while he was out there - telling older players what to do and taking the majority of the strike and then making the decisions to change the approach. Keep in mind his scoring areas and keep these covered.
For additional data - see here from play cricket
Please note - You set these fields at your own risk. The owner of the blog is in no way responsible for you getting carted around the park for 4's and 6's. Seek professional advice and guidance if in doubt.
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