We played the first, of many, one-off T20’s of the 2012 season. This one was against the Grafton Tigers (Grafton Cricket Club). The match was scheduled for an 8 AM, but our kit arrived a few minutes late. That resulted in a reduced 18 overs a side affair.

We posted 71/7 in our 18 overs, with Yashwanth top scoring with 34. The Grafton Tigers chased down their target of 72 in just under 16 overs, losing about 3-4 wickets in the process. Scorecards don’t reveal the entire story, and this is one of those occasions. The match was much tighter and the scorecard doesn’t throw light on the drama.

It was the first practice match of the season, and I had the honor of captaining the team. The loss hurts, but the lessons it taught are priceless. It was, after all, the first practice match of the season. I hope we apply the lessons learned towards our success in the upcoming season – MPL and NECA

1) Field placements.
I couldn’t get the field placements right for each bowler. I felt that two to three fielders at times were placed in positions where the ball was never hit to, or would never make it. Two to three out of nine fielders, bowler and wicket-keeper apart of course, is a significant number. Getting the field placements right is crucial and must change for each bowler, based on his style of bowling, his line and lengths, his strengths and weaknesses. Getting this right could result in saving 10-15 runs. Most bowlers tend to stick with the field that was in place for the previous over. Each bowler, should make the necessary adjustments in the field. The captain must ensure of this by talking to the bowler at the start of the over or spell. The hard-tennis-ball that we play with is a unique thing. It doesn’t quite travel the same way, and in the same angles, as the leather ball does.

2) End of the innings bowlers.
Captains need to know their bowlers well. Some bowlers prefer to bowl out in the first 10-15 overs out of the 20, while some others are just at home while bowling at the end. A team needs two to three bowlers who can bowl towards the end of the innings, or in a pressure situation. Building pressure, at the start of the inning, while bowling, is easier as compared to maintaining the pressure. A captain needs to preserve overs of specific bowlers not just for the end of the inning, but also for specific batsmen in the opposition.

3) Batting
While batting, be it setting a target, or chasing, it is crucial and critical to pace the inning. An ideal target to set when batting first, in a T20 match, is around 100. A sub-85 score needs a tight bowling display, combined with good fielding. A target in excess of 95 certainly puts the pressure on the team chasing.
Posting a 100 runs inside the 20 overs needs a plan. The plan calls for a well-paced inning. You need to get to around 45 in the first 10 – for no more than the loss of three wickets – which in turn means a start of around 20 in 5 overs.  This doesn’t require sending a pinch-hitter to open – we need batsmen who won’t take long to get set, will lay a good foundation for rest of the inning.
The knowledge on which batsmen are good at rotating the strike, at scoring the big shots, have temperament to keep a cool head when the match gets tight, are all important factors. A successful captain stays on top of this. Talent alone doesn’t guarantee a win.

4) The tennis ball we play with doesn’t travel on the lush fields that we play on. You may get a few two’s if the ball is hit into the gap, but singles are the easiest, and most frequent scoring options. Keep in mind that the ball is difficult to pick up in the thick lush grass. It isn’t an easy task for a quick, clean, pick-up and throw. Many tight singles that we don’t take are actually run scoring opportunities wasted/lost. Hit the gym, get in shape, sprint.
Rotate the strike, rotate the strike, rotate the strike. Target getting 4 singles an over. Manage that and the lose balls will follow. Dispatch the lose balls and the pressure is squarely on the opposition.

5) Lastly, I have to bring up what has been our achilles heel. We need to get a hold on extras. We concede anywhere between 15-20 extras an inning. We’ve got to cut down on this. No freebies, enough of the generosity. Atiti devo bava doesn’t apply in this case.

And one final lesson for me – no more scheduling matches @ 8 AM on Sunday’s, when the required travel to the venue is close to 45 minutes, requiring players to wake up at 6 AM. Spoilt by the amount of cricket on offer, some are beginning to complain about the early starts, eh Sistla?

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