Cricket Coaching Bowling Tips / Selection Trials

by Richard Pybus / Question From Manish
(New Delhi)

Vernon Philander : Simplicity

Hi Coach,

I am Manish, a 17 year old fast bowler, I am 5’11 and I am able to bowl pretty quick.

I have a very important trial coming up, so what should I do to impress the selector( I am an OUTSWING bowler).

Secondly, I am thin, should I join the gym to increase my strength and will it allow me to bowl even quicker?

Hi Manish,
regarding the selection trial, think of what your key strengths are, you have pace and you swing the ball.

The selectors will pick you to fulfill the role of an opening bowler or first change so you need to demonstrate pace, control and the ability to take wickets.

Let’s focus on your strengths in preparing for the trial; you are quick so you need to run in with the intent of bowling fast and taking wickets.

Your swing is a major asset so you need to bowl a full length to make sure you have the opportunity of getting the batter out bowled, LBW and caught behind.

After a full warm up you will simulate the two scenarios you will face in the trial, bowling in the nets and in a match, so you need to work on your opening spell and come back spell.

Training Drill 1. Target Bowling – Full Pace.

Off your long run, work on bowling 4-6 overs at full pace without a batter – so you can target hitting your length rather than engaging in a battle with a batter, which can be distracting when you are working on controlling your focus.

You are aiming at a target ( cone or soft drink bottle ) on the line of off stump, the length is four walking paces from the batting crease. This is to combine accuracy and pace, you train this once a week if you are playing games and netting as well.

Training Drill 2. At nets, simulate the same spell to batters, stay focused on bowling a full length at off stump, rather have the batter driving you off the front foot, than you being cut or pulled.

Use the bouncer occassionally, to push the batter back, make sure it is head height, this is to create uncertainty for the batter to commit to the front foot.

Game Strategy: See this link here, Dale Steyn’s Fast Bowling Strategy and how Dale sets up Ian Bell. You don’t need to copy this, but see how he uses the first part of the over to create pressure and then having done this uses a subtle variation to dismiss Bell.

In the trial make sure you are patient, build pressure, stay on off stump and in the corridor, let the batter make the decisions of how to play you. Use a lttle bit of the Vernon Phialnder game plan, keep it really simple on the line of off

Regarding your question on strength and conditioning, have a look at Greg King’s Cricket Fitness pages here, these will give you a foundation. A good age related fitness program will definetly help you, make sure the strength coach is qualified and understands the needs of growing bodies and cricket. If in doubt rather do body weight exercises until you can get a proper evaluation and strength program.

Good Luck ! Best wishes Coach

About Richard Pybus

I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.