EDCC exists to promote and provide cricket to all ages

In September the cricket season starts again. EDCC exists to promote and provide cricket for all ages. Kids from Under 8 through to Under 16 and then progressing into seniors. Our senior grades cater for all ages and all levels of skills.

But EDCC offers more. Apart from qualified coaches we have our own Club Room located indoors at Anzac Oval where we provide indoor training facilities. Typical of the attitude that exists within the club, this school holidays has seen indoor coaching clinics for junior members to allow them to get their eye in for the coming season and at the same time receive advice on developing skills.

The club aims to provide cricket for all kids and seniors but not only to encourage playing but to make the game enjoyable as well, something that they can share with mates and families over the years.

Cricket must seem a little daunting to kids who have never played before, but any parent considering allowing their child to commence playing this season in a great Australian sport, should be aware of the fact that U/8's and low grade U/10's, the rules have been modified considerably. Regardless of the player's ability, all children are involved in the game itself and not just sitting on the sideline. They have rotating batting orders, the same number of limited overs for all batsmen, batting in pairs. If dismissed they continue batting. This cricket is called Modified Cricket.

Modified cricket is defined as a stepping stone to traditional cricket wherein the aim is to increase participation in all aspects of the game through the use of "rotating batting" and maximisation of bowlers. While the aim is to win, winning is secondary to developing skills, maximising enjoyment, and ensuring that all players get sufficient grounding to advance to traditional cricket with confidence and enthusiasm.

The pitch length is shorter, they use a smaller than normal ball with a soft rubberised ball, and everyone gets a bowl. The total of each batting pair is added up and each wicket lost subtracts 3 of the pair's total. The team with the highest run total becomes the winner.

It really is great fun to participate in and to watch. Each match consists of 2 Saturdays for only 1.5 hours each day. Join the Dragons in the coming 2008/09 season.

Coaching for Bowling

Fast / Medium Paced Bowling

1. Bowling should be driven into the players over the season:
   • Correct measuring of run-up
   • Starting run up at a balanced and leisurely pace accelerating to top speed at point of delivery
   • The delivery action must have a high front arm
   • The bowler must keep their heads still with eyes focussed on the spot where the ball should land
   • Once ball leaves bowlers hand, they must follow straight through about 2 paces then veering to the edge of the pitch
2. Once bowlers have become adept to this stage, the following can then be shown, hoping they will pick up how to bowl a good line with variation:
   • Bowler must have a stock delivery, just short of a good length, between on or 1 foot outside the off stump
   • Bowlers to be shown how to grip ball and bowl outswingers, leg cutters, off cutters, slower balls, Yorkers and bouncers.
   • Where to place feet in delivery stride eg, wide off popping crease slanting the ball into the batsmen
   • How and when to bowl a bumper
   • How to work in with your keeper
3. Any player can run up and swing their arm over. To become a good bowler you have to think about the batsmen you hope to dismiss eg. If the batsman is trying to get on the front foot to drive or defend, force him on the back foot with balls just short of his reach. Give him the bouncer now and again at the middle stump. The bowler who can find a flaw in a batsmen, then work on that weakness until he gets his wicket is the player who could develop into a top bowler. All great pace bowlers have a smooth relaxed run up, attacking the off stump, varying their stock ball with leg or off cutters, only rarely did they waste deliveries bowling wide of the wicket, they made batsmen play at the ball.
4. The following tips might be of some use to bowlers hoping to improve their bowling:
   • If a batsmen has a big back lift, give him a couple of short deliveries, then rip a couple into the block hole trying to yorker him.
   • When a batsmen is scared of short balls, give it to him and have a fieldsman in close on the leg side, but don’t overdo it, make sure it’s a surprise. Bowl about three stock balls in a row, then give him a bouncer into his ribs. Make sure your keeper knows when you are to bowl such a delivery.
   • If such a batsmen does decide to attack, revert in close fieldsmen to their normal positions.
   • If you strike a batsmen who is a big hitter, try him with a fast one in the block hole, then a similar delivery, but much slower, having both a deep cover and deep mid on. You could also have a deep mid wicket. Don’t overdo the one type of ball to such a batsmen, try all the variations you can bowl.
   • Always concentrate on bowling your stock ball around off stump to bowl to the field your captain has placed.
   • Bowling to a left hand batsmen, try an over around the wicket, bowling wide of the popping crease to slant the ball from outside the off stump into his off and middle stumps. When bowling a bouncer again slant the short pitched ball in towards his neck region, never bowl a bouncer too far down the leg side, if possible you have to make him play at the ball. Have a silly leg when attacking.
   • If he’s still batting, try an over, over the wicket attacking his off stump slanting the ball across his body. Again use variety.
   • If you bowl a no ball, re-measure your run up, making sure your front foot is about 6” to 1 foot behind the line. There should be no excuse for bowling repeated no balls by overstepping.
   • Taking wickets is your job, but also try to keep the run scoring as low as you can. No more than 20 runs can be allowed from your 6 over spell. Even then at that run rate, their team will score around 200 runs. But if you bowl to a good line around the off stump, you have done your job, it’s then up to your fieldsmen to support you.

Spin Bowling

Spin bowlers also have to have a stock ball, both off and leg spin should again be around the off stump, with leg spinners varying their deliveries on the leg and middle stumps, then they must learn how to bowl and control deliveries to confuse the batsmen.

• Flat deliveries straight, flat delivery with spin, flighted deliveries with spin, faster deliveries
• The flighted deliveries are best utilised when bowling into a breeze, especially when a north-easter is blowing.
• Again as fast bowlers you must try to work out each batsmen and ascertain any weaknesses
• You must establish a combination with your keeper. When bowling your faster ball, have a signal planned to let him know
• Once you have delivered the ball, be alert for any catches that may come your way.

General Tips

When bowling in matches and in the nets, no bowler should have a longer run up than 13 paces. In the nets use a relaxed and slower approach than normal, just concentrating on a good line at ¾ pace, practicing leg cutters on the off stump, yorkers etc.

Always warm up before practice and matches using stretching exercises on legs, arms and back. All bowlers should have a short sleeve jumper and worn after bowling spells to protect the player’s back, even on hot days.

If you think you have any problems with your bowling or any ideas, don’t be backwards in informing the coach.

Cricket Etiquette

It was Sir Donald Bradman who suggested that “it is the responsibility of all those that play the game (the custodians) to leave the game in a better state than when they first became involved.”

Reflecting the “Spirit of the Game”, there are certain “unwritten laws” or practices that should be followed as a means of respect for the game.

The following is certainly not a definitive list, but is an indication of many of the conventions of cricket that should be maintained at all levels of the game.

Toss of the Coin

• the Home Team Captain should always have a coin for the toss
• the Home Team captain tosses the coin; the Opposition captain calls
• the toss of the coin should be out on the pitch to be played upon
• Captains should always shake hands prior to the toss

12th Man

• the 12th Man must be dressed in playing apparel
• if there are only 11 cricketers in a team (that is, no 12th man) the batting side should have someone in whites (or coloured uniforms where used) at all times
• players who are performing 12th man duties must know their role and be prepared. Such things as the times at which drinks are to be taken, being alert to requests from players for sun-screen, jumpers, towels, ice, first aid, etc.

Entering the Playing Field for Commencement of Play

• Umpires always are first to enter the playing field
• As they enter, the umpires drop a new ball (at the start of an innings) just inside the boundary
• The fielding side then takes the field, led by their captain. The ball is normally picked up by either the captain or the wicketkeeper
• The two batters enter after the fielding team

During Play

• The batting team should sit together on the sidelines (except where individuals may be warming up in preparation for batting)
• It is normally the responsibility of the home side to keep any score-board up to date

Leaving the Playing Field

• The batters always are first to leave the playing field
• The fielding team follows the batters

Team Caps

• Some teams require that all players wear the team cap for the first session (when fielding)
• All players should have appropriate hats out on the ground, whether club caps or broad-brim hats.
• ‘Sun Smart’ issues need to be considered in this regard

Appealing

• It is not in the spirit of the game when appealing for a decision to put undue pressure on the umpires, particularly in running at the umpire
• All players must respect the umpire’s decision (under the Laws of Cricket, it is the captain’s responsibility to ensure that this occurs) Bowlers’ and Fielders’ Ground Marking
• When marking their run-up, bowlers should refrain from damaging the grass or surface, in the interests of participants but also as a sign of respect for those responsible for preparing the surface. The same applies to fielders who mark the ground as an indication of their positions on the field.

After Match

• It is an important tradition to stay in the change-rooms for a short period after each game to discuss the game with your own players and perhaps opposition players

Acknowledgement of Milestones

• Fielding teams should always acknowledge 100’s by opposition batters, or even 50’s for junior grades
• After the game, players should acknowledge the opposition by shaking hands and perhaps sharing an after-match function together
• Captains should always shake hands after the match

Sledging

• Any attempts by the fielding team to verbally put a batter of his/her game need to be within the spirit of cricket and enforced by the captain of the team

Support Staff and Spectators

• Coaches/Team Managers and spectators/parents should respect the nature of the game insofar as it is the responsibility of umpires and the team captains to conduct the match in the appropriate manner. Any noise from the sidelines (other than appropriate recognition of good performance or effort) or any signals or form of communication to players are not in the best interests of the game
• Any communication can be via the 12th Man at drinks breaks, or during breaks in play where teams leave the field
• Yelling from the side-lines is not tolerated
• Coaches/Team Managers should not enter the field of play

CRICKET KNOW-HOW - Batting

PART NO.1 - Grip & Stance

1. Take CENTRE guard from umpire and mark it clearly on the pitch with chalk.
2. Correct GRIP on bat with the V between thumb and first finger on the top hand should point to the front shoulder, and the V on the bottom hand should point to the back shoulder. Both hands together in the middle of the handle.
3. The FEET should be shoulder width apart either side of, and parallel to the batting crease. With the knees slightly bent and the head and eyes level and still. The player should be relaxed and comfortable.
4. Place BAT behind the back foot (allows for straight back lift), with the handle resting on the thigh and place the toe of the bat on the centre guard mark.

PART NO.2 - Preparing to face the bowler

1. FINE FOCUS on the ball, this will give you a greater period of time to determine and be in position to play your shot.
2. Focus on the ball in the hand of the bowler as he runs in to bowl. As the ball leaves the bowlers hand start your BACK LIFT. The back lift should be towards 1st slip and about stump high.

PART NO.3 - Determining which shot to play

1. When batting you will have FIVE DECISIONS to make: -
   • Forward defence
   • Forward attack - Drive
   • Backward defence
   • Backward attack - Hook, pull & cut
   • Leave the ball
2. The LINE & LENGTH of the ball will determine the shot you will need to play. Full deliveries play forward, short deliveries play back.

PART NO.4 - Front foot or forward defence

1. Watch the ball onto the bat.
2. Keep the head steady and over the bat.
3. Front elbow bent and high, pointing back towards the bowler. Arms and bat form a figure 9
4. Front foot near to the line of the ball, knee slightly bent and weight transferring to the front foot as the body moves forward.
5. The bat is moved towards the ball, close to the front pad, with the blade slightly behind the handle.

PART NO.5 - Back foot or backward defence

1. The back foot moves back and across the wicket, the weight resting on the back foot as the shot is played.
2. The bat is kept close to the pad on the back foot, leaving no gap for the ball.
3. The eyes are kept level to the horizontal.
4. The front elbow is kept bent and high. The top is controlling the grip, while the bottom hand, thumb and index finger some support and control. Releasing the grip of the bottom hand enables you to make the ball drop at your feet.

PART NO.6 BATTING

Once you are padded up waiting for your turn to bat, get a teammate to throw some full balls to you for a warm up. Then sit down to rest and relax your mind by taking notice of what the bowlers are doing.

Once it is your turn to bat, take centre, middle stump to right-hand bowlers of pace and off-spin.

For left-hand bowlers and right-hand leg-spin, take centre on leg stump; also open your stance to give you a 2-eyed stance. Any balls pitched outside leg stump coming in to you can be played with your front foot and no LBW's should be given.

Once you have marked centre, place your bat on the mark, not your feet. Have a good look around to see what type of field has been set. Take your time, settle your nerves and get into your mind…"NO ONE IS GOING TO GET ME OUT….I'M BETTER THAN THEM."

As the bowler is running in watch the ball in the hand of his bowling arm and watch for his wrist movements, especially spin bowlers which should help you know which way the ball will break. Of course wrong-uns are difficult to pick up. Also, if the bowler's delivery stride is wide of the crease, he is trying to slant the ball into the stumps.

When you are at the bowlers end you can learn what the bowler is doing. In the event of a bowler swinging the ball a great deal, take your stance out of the crease to lessen the amount of swing. Make sure you return to your crease immediately when missing the delivery.

Early in your innings you should try to play straight in the Vee area with your shots. Don't hit across the line, like cut and hook shots. Once you know what type of delivery the bowler is bowling, play your shots. If the bowling is tight and runs are hard to come by, look for scoring singles and turn the strike over. Make sure when a run is likely and you are at the bowlers end of the pitch you walk slowly in with the bat just inside the crease while looking at the bowlers arm. When the ball leaves the bowlers hand you walk a couple of strides (called BACKING UP) to see if a run is likely. Your call for a run is only for shots behind the batsman on strike. It is his call for shots in front of him. The only time the calls can alter is when a possible run is dangerous. Your call must be loud and clear YES- NO- WAIT.

Run the first run hard, carrying the bat in two hands. Always slide the bat in a close run. When turning for an extra run, don't turn blind as you touch down with the bat, ensure you are facing the fieldsman fielding the ball.

Pick out the better fieldsmen and any weak ones. Don't take on the fieldsman with a good arm.

Talk to your batting partner and encourage each other. Try to build up partnerships. If you think he has played a careless shot and got away with it, tell him to concentrate harder. Batting is all about playing the ball on its merits, respecting the good ones and punishing the poor ones with a confident approach, ignoring any smart sledging from the opposition. Don't let them get you upset, keep your mind on what you have to do when facing the next delivery.

For proper batting practice in the nets you should play yourself in just like you should in a match. Once you have your feet working properly, play your forcing shots. Your mind should be telling you that you must get your feet moving. Front foot to all ball pitched up. Your bat should be close to your front leg. When driving, make sure you only hit the ball on the full or the half-volley (hitting the ball just after it has hit the pitch). If you are not to the pitch of the ball, don't attempt to drive (hitting on the up). Instead, block the ball with a straight bat, top hand takes over, don't push the bottom hand through. When playing defensive shots, get your body behind the ball with your head over the ball, eyes watching the ball hitting the bat.

CUTTING LATE OR SQUARE: For short pitched balls outside off-stump you must get your back foot across, hitting the ball with a downward motion preferably the same moment your back foot touches the ground. Your bottom hand takes over when cutting or hooking. When the ball rises sharply, don't play a shot.

HOOKING: For short pitched balls down the leg side, ensure your head is inside the line of the ball. If not, don't play a shot, try to dodge the ball. Grip your bottom hand tightly when hooking or pulling.

LEG GLANCE: Most boys find the leg glance difficult. Too many players play the shot with their front leg away from the line of the ball. You must have your front leg placed in line with the ball with your head still, eyes watching the ball onto your bat, turning your wrists to the leg side. If you miss the ball you could gain some leg byes if the ball hits the pads.

YOUR INNINGS: To establish a good innings you must learn when to attack or be defensive. Common sense should tell you that the player who hits the ball along the ground lessens the chance of being dismissed, compared to the player who slogs away happy to hit a boundary or two.

POINTS FOR WICKET KEEPING

Why Crouch:

• To get a good perspective of the ball at eye level on the bounce and to move in line with it.
• Weight evenly on balls of both feet. Shoulders in line with feet.
• Gloves on the ground in an open fashion to allow you to move with the line of the ball as you rise.

Glove Work:

• Never point fingers at the ball (will break fingers, I promise).
• Always point fingers downwards or sideways with an open cup of the hands. For the high kicking ball point finger upwards.
• There is an awkward spot in the middle of the chest area. Keeper has to decide to squat to take the ball overhead or swivel the hips and shoulders to take the ball to your side.
• When taking a relaxed "take" accept the ball in front of the eye line and give a relaxed cushion of the ball into the gloves.
• When standing back to faster bowlers judge where each bowler's length will be taken on the first bounce at a comfortable height on the hip.

Footwork:

• Foot Movement- Start off with a little sideways first step thus allowing a stronger and wider second step.
• Always take the ball on the inside of the body to the stumps by moving in a sideways motion and taking the ball on the hip, both sides of the wicket.

Standing up to the spinners:

• Make a spot by marking a line with your toe-2 foot lengths (3 for little feet) back from line of off stump then draw a line parallel to stumps from your heel-Make a second line from about 5 cms outside the off stump (normally the outside off the shoe) where the line meet is where your left foot should be.
• Stay down and only come up with the bounce off the ball.
• Gloves are the last things to leave the ground.
• Keep head and eyes over gloves at all times.
• When moving to the off side, keep left foot anchored to ground, taking the ball with your head over the ball, the anchored foot is important for balance when attempting a stumping. It's an extremely wide ball to be taken outside your eye line.
• When moving to the leg side you obviously have to move further. Move both feet in the skipping fashion thus taking the ball on the inside of the body looking for the stumping.

TEN RULES OF FIELDING

Harry's Quote of the Week

I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me, I never quit trying. I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win

Arnold Palmer

1. Never give up. Chase as hard as you can. The four you cutback to three may be the difference between winning and losing. Winners are grinners and those who never give up grin more often.
2. Good fieldsmen use two hands. Get your body behind the ball and use both hands. Pick the ball up first before you throw it.
3. Catches win matches. Trust yourself. Trust your hands. Catching is 80% confidence. 10% practice and 10% faith. Have faith in yourself.
4. Never knock a fellow fieldsman. We all make mistakes and we all have varying degrees of co-ordination and skill. Help your teammate, don't knock him. No one is perfect.
5. Talk to one another. Call "MINE" loud and clear if it's yours to catch. The keeper calls the shots because he has the gloves. Whenever the keeper calls for it, the catch is his.
6. Return the ball to the keeper. Listen for his call. The keeper controls the outfield play. If the ball is to be returned to the bowler's end listen for his call of "BOWLER'S".
7. Never take your eyes off the ball, even if it's not coming your way. You never know when a misfield might see the ball rocketing in your direction. Stay alert.
8. Call the boundaries. Sportsmanship and helping the umpire by calling the boundaries is a great way to get yourself and your team a good name.
9. Support one another. Back up., See rule 7. Don't leave it to one player to chase the ball. Two in tandem can be useful. Player "A" might be a quick runner but player "B" the stronger arm. Combining together in teamwork can cut down the runs. So, use "A" to get to the ball and flick it to "B" to execute the return.
10. Do not engage in sledging. Set a standard of behaviour with which you can be proud and your team can get a good name. The best way to get rid of an unsporting batsman is simple. GET HIM OUT!

TEN RULES OF BOWLING

1. Speed is not everything. Control is the key to good bowling. Make the ball do what you want.
2. Keep the ball up. Overpitching is less of a crime than short pitching.
3. Look after the ball. Agree with your bowling partner on which side of the ball you are going to maintain the shine.
4. Mark you "take off" point. A consistent run promotes balance and rhythm.
5. Picture your target area. Think in advance where you want to pitch the ball and focus on that area during run up and delivery.
6. Encourage your fieldsmen. Never knock their efforts. Praise their work. They will respect and respond to your efforts.
7. There are no good batsmen only good bowlers. The sooner you see a batsman's back the better. Be positive.
8. Do not indulge in silly appeals. Umpires are human too and soon tire of bowlers who constantly appeal in hopes of conning the umpire as much as any other reason.
9. Keep your head up. Even when you are being hit maintain your cool. Control is the key. Don't be afraid to try something different. Talk to your captain.
10. Not every day can be perfect. There is always going to be a batsman about who wants to spoil it. Hang in. Work on maintaining technique. Bowl line and length and think. The tide will turn. Batsmen can't last forever.

TEN RULES OF BATTING

1. You cannot score off every ball. Patience is a virtue
2. You cannot score runs when you are back in the "Pavilion". See rule 1.
3. A ball hit along the ground will never be caught.
4. Batting is a two-man event. It's a partnership. Results are best achieved when the two batsmen talk to one another and work together.
5. Talk. Three major words of communication between batsmen - YES. NO. WAIT.
6. Batting takes patience, concentration and patience. See rule 1.
7. There are no good bowlers only good batsmen. Your aim is to get runs. 1 is a start. 10 is good. 50, you're halfway there. 100, start all over.
8. Running between wickets is an art form. Ten singles is ten runs, beats one four. Look for singles. See rule 5.
9. Never let a close fieldsman intimidate you.
10. Deafness to fieldsmen is a virtue. If you're being sledged tell the umpire. Better still, concentrate on your job and you won't hear what is being said. Do not respond, it takes your mind off the job. If you want to upset them, stick around, score runs.