How to Be a Better Cricket Player

As a cricket player, chances are you have thought about ways you might be able to improve and get more enjoyment out of the game. There are a multitude of areas and disciplines that one can improve on with the game of cricket, as with any athletic endeavor. Learn some tips and advice that will help you to improve your cricket game, with a focus on the conditioning and batting aspects of the game.

Instructions

    • 1

      Improve your physical conditioning. Cricket is an active sport that requires great cardiovascular and muscular fitness from its players. You should dedicate several days a week, and up to five days a week to physical training that is broken into several types of exercise. Cardiovascular training should be carried out two days a week for 45-60 minutes. This type of exercise, such as running, should be 45 to 60 minutes in duration and be done at a slow, comfortable pace that will build your endurance level.

    • 2

      Add speed workouts to your cardiovascular training to make you a faster runner. Speed workouts, where you run beyond your comfort level, should be done one to two days a week, but no more than two days a week. Speed workout should be done in intervals in which you run for a short distance, anywhere between 5 to 40 meters with a rest interval of equal or greater distance in between the faster intervals, according to the website NetFit.

    • 3

      Practice strength training to improve muscle mass. Strength training should be carried out twice a week and should target different muscles groups during different workouts. The most important muscles to target in the upper body are the forearms, biceps, triceps and chest muscles. This will improve your hitting and throwing. In addition, it is essential to work on your core strength by focusing on the abdominal and lower back muscles, according to NetFit.

    • 4

      Develop your hand-eye coordination to improve your performance in virtually all aspects of the game. Most assume this is only applicable to hitting, but it also helps in fielding the ball and improving accuracy throwing the ball. Practice throwing and catching the ball and take extensive hitting practice to develop the hand-eye skills that you will need in the game.

    • 5

      Work on your footwork for improving your batting game. Footwork is the most crucial aspect of batting, according to the cricket website StickieWicket. Having excellent foot technique enables you to be in the right position when it comes time to strike the ball. Critically evaluate where your feet are during your batting and then watch the greats of the sport. Compare the way they have their feet positioned and emulate them, trying to attain their level of play.

    • 6

      Play each ball according to the quality of the bowl as a batter. Watch each ball that comes your way and develop an eye for which balls are bad and which are good. Keep your eye on the ball as it comes out of the bowler's hand and remain extremely focused on this each time. You will start to gain an understanding of what kind of ball will be bowled and adjust your stance and swing accordingly.