We all know how important fitness is to cricket, but nets don’t realistically recreate the fitness you need to get a big score.

That’s where BATEX© (BATing EXercise) comes in.

Normal netting rarely tests batsmen's endurance. It doesn't accurately reflect the effects of fatigue on the batsman's skill levels. But BATEX does exactly that.

Everyone goes to nets in the hope of finding form and improving technique. But the way most people do it is totally ineffective.

But Gary Palmer takes things totally differently.

In this short video, Gary explains how he uses nets at his CCM Academy to make significant and noticeable differences to players technique, mental approach and run scoring ability.

Click here to watch the video and find out more.

Think of the excellent one day ‘finisher’ batsmen like Michael Bevan, Eoin Morgan and MS Dhoni: The guys who can win a game by being there at the end of the innings.

They all have the ability to keep up with the run rate through innovative batting. It seems they can play the same ball into at least 2 different areas of the pitch.

It’s a heartbreaking moment as a batsman. The bowler serves up a half-volley, the ball pings from the middle of the bat.

The ‘keeper probably compounds your pain with a quick “you missed out there, I thought that was a gimmie” perhaps you let the frustration get to you and end up playing an injudicious shot (let’s be honest, we all have had an ugly heave under pressure), miss it and get out.

All because you hit the fielder and not the gap.

It’s a club game on a typical summer afternoon. Tell me if what I saw is a familiar story.

The opening batsman are being tied down by some accurate medium pace bowling. After 10 overs the score is 18-0.

Seeing that he needs to get on with it, one opener plays a defensive nudge towards cover and makes a dash for a quick single. His partner is looking for it too and they make it home. In the next few overs they do more of the same, making the scoreboard look a little fuller before the first wicket falls.

Great news for all fans of cricket coaching drills: We have been given a bucketful to give away by the very kind guys at Inspired Cricket.

The drills cover 12 areas for all ages including:

• Warming up
• Agility training
• Fielding
• Net ideas
• Wicketkeeping

All produced in the innovative style that has made Inspired the talk of cricket coaching circles.

This is part 2 of a 2 part series by Gary Palmer on batting against left arm swing bowling. To go to part 1 click here.

If you can’t play the on drive well you will struggle against left arm over bowlers so go away and work on that shot from the left arm over angle of feed.

In particular, technical points to look for are:

1. Open stance

This is part 1 of a 2 part series by Gary Palmer about batting against left arm over bowlers.

The most successful batsmen have efficient techniques against all angles and types of bowler.

Lesser players struggle against left arm over pace bowling, especially the ones who swing the ball back in to the batter. This problem is apparent with all ages and standards of cricketers.

Gary Palmer is the guest on this week’s show as we look at the technique of ailing Englishman Alastair Cook. Find out what Gary’s advice is to the young opener and pick up some of your own tips.