This guest post is by Liz Ward

If I were to ask you what the essential determinants of success for all sports people are, not just cricketers, would you include core strength and stability?

All cricketers need to be able to generate powerful movements in their arms and legs (try batting, bowling or fielding without powerful movements!). The only safe way to achieve this is to create a solid base of support by stabilising the spine, pelvis and shoulders through 'core' muscle contraction.

First class players are coached early on to be aware of the field and place their shots into gaps to increase their run scoring chances. At lower levels, this is emphasized less, but you can use the tactic to score more runs.

Assess the field and use the gaps

Checking the field can reveal both a bowlers weakness and your own favourite shots. However, with some thinking you can manipulate this. For example, my own tendency is to drive fairly square of the wicket through backward point or square cover. As a result I often see a gap at extra cover or straight mid off as the captain adjusts his field to my batting. I know then that I can try to drive straighter through those gaps when the chance comes.

Poor old Matt Prior. The first English wicketkeeper who dares to use a bit of lip to put off the batsman gets told by an Aussie to shut up.

Ignoring that irony, one thing that is for sure is that the noise of keepers at all levels has dramatically risen under the the banner of chirping. The theory is twofold. First you put off the batsman by making him lose his concentration or feel under pressure. Second you keep the fielding side on their toes through constant encouragement.