Twenty20 cricket is taking off. The IPL is generating ludicrous $$$ opportunities as well as various T20 leagues around the world providing the opportunity for players to travel the world as T20 specialists. When you add in the newly coined “baz-ball”, in which England’s new test coach, Brendon McCullum, has afforded his players the opportunity to play a more free-flowing and aggressive form of cricket, it is clear for all to see that the game has changed. Having a positive mindset and looking to be attacking is the new norm. Professional cricketers are looking for new ways to adapt their game to become match winners, and potentially increase their market value when it comes to franchise opportunities.
Whilst this is a long way off for junior and amateur cricketers, this mindset is trickling down to the more grassroot levels. It is not uncommon to see junior cricketers practicing reverse sweeps and ramp shots, with good coaches even encouraging juniors to explore their capabilities and develop a varied skill set.
Talking to a number of professional, and high level amateur cricketers, it is evident that T20 is considered the hardest format to succeed in. Upon a deeper dive, it is not surprising to see why. To be successful, you need to take risks. Compare this to the longest format, where you can be successful by removing all risk from your game and being more patient then your opponent, you can see where the different challenge lies. Leaving the ball, and waiting for something on your hip to turn down to fine leg for 1 just won’t cut it. You need boundary options, you need to score off every ball, and you need to be able to score 360 degrees. You need to be able to find the boundary when the pressure is on, and the team needs you to. To be successful in this shorter game, you need to be able to perform consistently, under pressure, when the match is on the line.
Speaking to many 1st grade cricketers a few years back, these skills were extremely hard to practice, due to only playing 4-6 matches over 2-3 weekends each year. As a result the priority remained fixed on modeling your game around the discipline and rigidity of the longer formats. If you were seen practicing to try and expand your skill set, you would be crucified in club training (this point is personal for me). Fortunately, this is changing though, with the success of the privately run Brisbane Premier League, coined the “IPL for amateurs”. A concept started by Nick Fitzpatrick and Joel Hamilton from Australian Cricket Institute, they have expanded with the Adelaide Premier League, and I am sure have plans to grow it over Australia. In addition to this, QLD cricket has started a new competition called the KFC T20 Max, with the first competition in August 2022. It has been advertised as including professional cricketers from all over the world, with professional cricketers from other states participating, as well as a few international stars including up and coming indian talent who have played in the IPL.
This is paving the way for the growth of the T20 game at grassroots and amateur level, which sees the need for amateur and junior cricketers to start expanding their skillset in order to succeed. This takes lots of hours, honing your skills in the nets, game-based scenarios and match practice. However, there are ways that you can get the edge on your competitors by increasing your physical ability to hit the ball harder, generate more power and find the boundary easier. I will be discussing this in more detail in my next blog post so stay tuned.
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