Last night, the team I coach ran an experimental practice drill to improve game sense and raise the intensity of net practice. Here's how it went.

Who has time to work out the opposition for your next cricket match?

We have all heard good old coaching advice: Wait for the bad ball and put it away. But there is another way.

Picture the scene: You walk in to bat. A medium pace bowler stands at his mark while you take guard. You look around and see the classic ring field: everyone saving the single.

Since Twenty20 began, the rate of six hitting has risen by 20%.The trend for power hitting in unmistakable.

How do you get in on this rope clearing action?

I’m sure you have heard the phrase “wanted it more”.

It pops up in cricket post-match interviews when a result is unexpected. Ireland beating Pakistan in 2007 is one example.

Is it a meaningless cliché or truth?

We are all well drilled in playing the forward defence, playing it to prevent the bowler from taking a wicket. In fact, it's a lot more useful than that.

Playing defensively spans everything from "none shall pass" drop to the feet, through to a defensive push that is designed to score runs. It's a shot with nuance that requires skill and practice to get right. ANd if you do it will increase your strike rate!

So, it's time to give the forward defence the time and respect it deserves and learn to play with both soft and hard hards to make more of those balls you can't smash.

When a bowler is in rhythm they are in control, so it’s your job as a batsman to find ways to disrupt that balance.

 How do you feel about your place in the batting order?

There are two types of cricketers: rivers and frozen rope. Which are you?