How vital is a good slip catcher?

We work all year on developing bowling fast bowlers and spinners with the intention of taking the edge of the bat to create catching opportunities. So develop fielders who can convert those chances into wickets!

So, as a coach, lets assign some quality time to slip catching skills. Including your own. Read on to find out more:

This is guest article from Steffan Jones

Warming up can get pretty scientific nowadays. Here's a simple, effective game day warm up that I use if I want to be at my best.

The first point is this: we know that you can "warm up" your mind and nervous system a long time before you start playing. So the warm up on game day starts as soon as you wake up!

Don't worry though, I've tested all this myself and know it works well if you have prepared properly through the week.

This article is part of the “Streetwise Bowling” series from PitchVision Academy. To view the full list of tactics click here.

Bowling at leg stump has a bad rap. It's seen as defensive and, by many, as almost against the spirit of cricket. So much so that in many formats, the leg side wide has all but killed the tactic.

But in the right situation, this plan is an excellent variation to the usual line for a left arm bowler. The batsman is not used to the lines. More importantly, there are few gaps in the field meaning the batsman is going to have to do something unusual to get you away.

As such, it can be used in both attacking and defensive roles.

Away games are a perennial problem.

You can be a high level International side like India, or a plucky Under 10 beginner side. The issue of a change in conditions leading to a drop in performance is common across the board.

Take the example of the Norway national cricket team. This summer the side are traveling to the UK to play in an ICC Europe tournament. But the team are newcomers to the international game and are used to playing on the very batting friendly artificial pitches of home.

How are they going to adapt to the grass wickets and swinging or turning ball they will discover in Essex?

Closing date: undisclosed

Looking for enthusiastic Level 2 Cricket coaches to deliver sessions to primary school aged children either in schools or community centre's throughout the Tyne & Wear area.

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Aspire Sports work with schools, the NHS, community groups and local authorities. Our innovative, education-focused sports and physical activity programmes are at the heart of improving lives. We aim inspire children, young people and families to be 'Active for Life.

Closing date: undisclosed

Aspire Sports work with schools, the NHS, community groups and local authorities. Our innovative, education-focused sports and physical activity programmes are at the heart of improving lives. We aim inspire children, young people and families to be 'Active for Life.

David Hinchliffe and Mark Garaway are joined by Sam Lavery and Burners to chat about wind. It's suprisingly interesting. But even if your boat is not floated, the team also cover finding a way to play, and going from net sessions to games seamlessly.

Burners sums it all up nicely though: "tosh!"

We just hope it's tosh that helps you improve. Listen in to find out.

Here's a treat for you to print out as a reminder that the start of the season is not the end of your hard work. If you want all your winter efforts to be worth something, you need to be ready at the end of the season. Keep working hard.

Are you a cook or a chef?

I was asked exactly that at a recent symposium on talent identification. Weird?

A cook follows a recipe and ends up with a result that looks and tastes as intended.