Purpose: To practice stopping and throwing at a stump in a competitive situation

Description: Players are split into teams of roughly 3 a side. The first player throws the ball at the stump in the middle. He or she then moves to the back of the queue. The player on the opposite side fields the ball and also aims at the stump before moving to the back of the queue.

 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.

Purpose: To practice the one hand pickup and underarm throw under pressure in a competitive situation.

Description: Players stand in pairs opposite each other about 20m apart with one ball per pair. On cue, players roll the ball slowly towards their partner. As soon as the ball is released the partner runs in picks up the ball one handed and underarms it back.

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.

This drill is part of the PitchVision Academy fielding drills series, for more in this series click here.

Purpose: A realistic way to practice slip catching for the whole cordon. This drill requires a well practiced coach to make it worthwhile.

This is part of the specialist fielding series of articles, for the full list of fielding positions covered click here.

OK I admit it. There are no specialist fine leg fielders. But in most teams it’s the same players who end up at either fine leg or third man, usually a bowler.

For that reason it makes sense to practice the skills you will most need.

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 drill is part of the PitchVision Academy fielding drills series, for more in this series click here.

Purpose: A warm up routine that gets the hands and eyes ready for more advanced close catching drills. It also allows a coach to make changes to technique where needed.  

This drill is part of the PitchVision Academy fielding drills series, for more in this series click here.

Purpose: The long barrier is a staple of fielding skills, but really being able to run in, attack the ball and return it quickly takes practice.

Judging by the number of questions we get here at PitchVision Academy, a lot of players and coaches have a cricketing problem they need solving. Everyone has something; a technical flaw in the cover drive, not quick enough bowling, getting gassed with low fitness levels and a hundred other things.

We also know that there is a frustrating gap for most of us.

The coaches and experts with the answers to your problems are expensive or inaccessible, or both.

At least they were.