Update: This test has been given a lick of paint and been moved. Click here to go to the new test.

Before you can improve your game of cricket you need to assess your own strengths and weaknesses.

Once you know where you are you can set yourself some targets for the coming few months to improve in those areas. Without the initial overview you are not getting the best out of your nets, gym work and practice games.

We can learn much from the Australian attitude to one-day cricket. Bobby Simpson gives an insight.

This advice applies to club games just as much as it does to the top level so it is worth repeating the key advice:

Batting Tips

Some things in cricket are not really talked about by coaches.

However, controversial practices go on at every level and all cricketers should be aware of them to be prepared and to defend against them.

1. Controversial cricket tactics

Walking

There are not many more divisive issues than walking. Should a batter walk if they know they have hit it? Many people will say yes, many will say it is up to the umpire and you should always wait. Technically, standing your ground is not cheating, although many people consider it so.

Everyone loves Twenty20: The players, the fans and the county clubs bank managers. The only exception are the traditionalists who see it as a corruption of the great game. There is much to learn from the short game though, even for club cricketers who turn out once a week. Here are 10 of them: