Whatever your style as a batsman, you can't use it as an excuse.

If you are a big hitter and you get out in a tight run chase trying to clear deep midwicket, you can't shrug and say "it's the way I play".

If you are a naturally cautious batsman there is no excuse for making the middle order have to take risks because you have wasted balls at the top of the order.

Some might say it's selfish batting.

Although I would agree that it's inexcusable, I would argue it's not because you are doing it on purpose. You want to do the best for your team but somehow your default method is incorrect.

So how do you play to your natural personality and still do the right thing for the team?

Train for situations to develop your style

Let's go back to our defensive batsman for a moment to draw an example.

His strengths are at the top of the order against bowling that is looking to take wickets. He can use a good technique to see off the new ball and lay a platform for the stroke makers.

He probably spends a lot of time in the nets playing in this way: Waiting for the bad ball and picking it off. This is a legitimate tactic, and if it is his role in the side it is right and proper to practice and play that way.

But it is also important to develop other skills that will help when he has to expand out of this role. For example in a big run chase where getting off to a good start requires batters to score off good balls as well as bad ones.

This means he needs to think about, and train for,

• Working the ball into gaps
• Running between the wickets
• Dealing with pressure

That third one is crucial because for all batsmen, pressure can cause you to have crazy ideas in the middle. Who hasn't played in a match where a batsman blocks out 9 balls only to decide to have a yahoo at number 10 because the idea of a couple of maidens is a horrific idea?

For the attacking batsman the challenge would be more about reigning yourself in to play a longer and more well timed innings.

The take home point is simple: You have to think about what situations you are likely to find yourself, and be able to play in those situations regardless of your default style as a player.

Think fast enough to apply your skills

But being confident about what to do only works if you know when to do it. And that takes tactical nous.

It's another common excuse to say "I bat the way I bat, if it comes off it works in all situations". But that is dismissing your responsibility as a batsman to take as much risk as is required without taking too much risk.

A big heave in the 2nd over is rarely a good idea. A big heave on the last ball of the innings is de rigueur. Same shot, different tactical requirements.

So your new adaptable methods requires you to be able to read situations.

You also need to read them quickly too. In a run chase, you need to think about the rate, and how much time you can spend batting in your natural style. The real master of this judgement, and adjustment through his batting gears was Michael Bevan. He can give you the full masterclass here.

But you can start working on this stuff right away.

Use situational nets to make your plans and develop your style.

Watch games on TV and try to make your own judgements about pacing an innnings.

And of course, get in the mindset that your batting style is not an excuse to play in a way that costs your team matches.