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IN 1995, the year we finally beat the West Indies in Test cricket, we were having problem with our one-day approach. In a bid to get input from the team, I asked the players to answer two simple questions.
a) Why haven't we been playing as well as we can?
I had a wonderful response which I think will be of interest to our readers.
These answers still form the basis of how the Aussies approach one-day cricket today.
For any side struggling to consistently come up with a successful strategy I thought our thoughts would be of interest. As you will see, like most solutions, they are simple but have much common sense.
Question 1. Why haven't we been playing as well as we can?
Not tough enough — satisfied with 20s and 30s.
Fielding: Little communication with team-mates.
Question 2: What can you do to improve performance?
Stick rigidly to my focus statement & routines.
Encourage others to stop whinging and enjoy all aspects of training.
Question 3: What sacrifices am I prepared to make?
When working ball full face, turn bat when ball hits. Not across line.
Hitting over the top. Come straight at ball, don't back away.
Running between wickets. Look for singles and try to convert every run for extras.
Almost impossible to run out if both batsmen go.
Never assume no run or extra run, push fieldsmen at all time.
Energy — Pressure — Enthusiasm. One-day fielding
Concentration, reduce peak concentration to minimum time.
Look at the keeper, be positive but don't `burn' in throws when not necessary.
Stay on feet if possible — only dive when no other option.
Outfielders, back up and come in to stop overthrow singles.
Work out game plan and stick to it when possible.
Don't rush when under pressure, make the batsman wait if necessary.
Forget bad ball, the only important ball is the one you are about to deliver.
Never start to run in if you haven't decided what to bowl.