I've been in two games now which have included Robert Pearne, the first one I bowled at him and the 2nd game he was dismissed before I was brought on to bowl. From the notes and diagrams from the 2 previous games there are a couple of key observations. One is that he is pretty consistent in his approach and this is useful from our point of view as bowlers as it enables us to make coherent plans.
The two previous "In-game" pitch maps when over-laid with each other, along with the scoring percentages pretty much matched up. I didn't bowl well in the first encounter and leaked runs on the leg-side which wasn't helped by the fact that we were at least 1 man short in the field. The 2nd game - facing medium pace and faster bowling, he still made sure he capitalised by scoring off anything that was on the leg-side, so Rule No.1 - don't give him freebies on the leg-side as he has a couple of good sweep-shots... a deft paddle sweep and a conventional sweep shot which, as I recall for the most part he gets the bat over the top of the ball and it's hit hard along the ground. His other main shot is a good cover-drive which you'll need a decent fielder for as he hit it hard through that region. The final shot which he utilises is a late cut. If you can get those areas covered with decent fielders you're going to potentially reduce his scoring rate by a high percentage and that'll put him under pressure as he is the king-pin to their side.
In-game analysis
So, what do we do?
Well, here's my idea/plan...
(1). You need to avoid bowling on his leg-side unless it's turning off the wicket ridiculously in which case you might try this but we'll assume that it's not.
(2) You'll need to be relatively accurate and more so if like me, you bowl relatively slowly, because he'll step back into his crease and cut you through the off-side (point) or through the covers with a back-foot punch drive
(3) When you start the spell, bowl over the stumps and move around changing your angle of attack. Start close in to the stumps and as much as you can bowl stump to stump at the off-stump in the event that there's no turn off the wicket. If you're spinning the ball hard and getting some turn - then consider moving around the wicket to change the angle of attack see here for an in-depth explanation of this.
This field is wholly reliant on the your ability to keep the ball on the off-side, anything leg-side is going to potentially go for 4. Leaving the leg-side so empty will hopefully encourage attempts at trying to fetch the ball from the off-side with a cross bat shot with the ball being top-edged and caught by anyone in that inner circle. Look for opportunities such as stepping in front of the stumps to get the ball on his leg-side, if that happens zip in a straight one (Flipper or Orthodox back-spinner) or just some straight ball and try and trap him LBW which accounts for 12% of his dismissals. See here for his play cricket data on dismissals.
His favorite way of getting out is being caught which accounts for 33% of his dismissals - so this plan sounds very feasible. I'd aim to bowl leg-breaks at the off-stump mixing 45 degree seamed balls with 90 degree seamed balls -hoping that the 90 degree ball lands on the smooth section of the ball and skids on to hit the stumps. I'd also try Top-Spinners with more dip and a lot less side-spin. If you have something that comes into him from out-side of off (Wrong-un) use that as well.
To recap on what not to do...
(1) Don't bowl on or outside of the leg-stump
(2) Don't bowl short.
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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