Thought I might write down a few thoughts regarding some basic guidelines for bowlers who are starting to think about developing bowling plans.

Firstly, bowlers should always remember: YOU START THE PROCESS! this means, while a batsman may arrive at the crease with a plan, and he may even have some idea about what he is going to try to do to you as you are running in, he must ultimately RESPOND to the delivery you produce. This knowledge should encourage you to select each ball carefully but with confidence.

Every bowlers plan should be built around your stock ball - I think the best definition of the stock ball is "The ball you are most confident in bowling with control in a pressure situation". Whatever your stock ball is, you should be trying to bowl it about 80% of the time - in other words in a 4 over (24 ball) spell, you should bowl your stock ball around 20 times! This should allow your skipper to set a supportive field and your variations to create surprise.

That does not mean your stock ball will land in the same spot at the same speed 20 times in 4 overs! We are all human and therefore if you try and bowl your stock ball 20 times in the same spot, you will produce some natural variation. This means if you try and produce identical stock balls they will all come down at a slightly different pace, from a slightly different release point. Remember - the batsman has to respond to every variation - big or small... intended or unintentional. It is often the suble, unintended variation that produces the false shot!

The bowler must always be monitoring the type of shots the batsman is playing. When deciding what variation he will use, the bowler should select a delivery that will most likely inconvenience the batsman given how he has been batting up to that point. Once selected, the bowler should think about the technique required to deliver that particular ball. Then he should IMAGINE the best possible result for the deliver....relax and then run in and bowl.

Stay relaxed and remember that even if you get it wrong you may get a good result and you get to try again!

If you know a batsman and have planned a strategy to implement against him, be patient enough to give the plan a chance to work! Often a players perceived strength is his actual weakness - you may have to be willing to give him a few runs bowling a particular line and length to eventually get the edge that turns the game!

Make sure your skipper knows what you are trying to do so he can support you with an appropriate field. It is often the case that - whatever the plan - if EVERYONE is working towards its success, it will succeed! Further to this, always try and work in with the guy bowling at the other end. If pressure is being exerted at both ends and the plan is co-ordinated, success is also more likely.

AND WHATEVER THE PLAN, IT WILL ONLY WORK IF THE BOWLER HAS THE CONTROL TO PUT THE BALL IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME! SO WORK AT YOUR CONTROL AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY!

Control comes from making the same shape every time. You can only do this if you are strong and confident. This comes from PRACTICE!!!