Cricket is a game that requires a lot of skills practice. If you can combine this practice with a workout that will get you fitter and more able to perform when tired then your game will improve.

There are a great many fielding drills that can help you do this. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Throw vs. Run

This is a good drill for competitive types. Split into 2 team � throwers and runners. The ball is rolled out by the wicketkeeper and the fielder attempts to run out the batsman before he can make his ground.

2. Team Interception

Split into 3 teams. The teams on each side try to get the ball across the middle. The middle person or team attempts to stop the ball from passing through.

With large teams, the middle team can split into 2 and face in opposite directions. For added complexity, use more than one ball.

3. Crossfire

This is a game for throwing accuracy and backing up skills. Place a ball in-between 2 teams as a jack. Using another ball, the teams attempt to hit the ball across their opponent�s boundary.

4. Backup and Throw

3 players attempt to throw down a single stump. Player 1 throws at the stump and moves clockwise to the next cone. Player 2 moves clockwise to replace player 1. Player 3 fields the ball, attempts to throw down the stump and move to replace player 2. Repeat this.

To make this more complex, increase the number of people in the loop.

5. Surprise Catches

The centre player rolls the ball to anyone in the circle and runs to change places with another player. The new player must run in and catch the ball before it lands in the target area in the middle.

6. Pressure Catches

The ball is hit or thrown inside the 2 outside cones as wide as possible. The player at the middle cone must field the ball and return it before running back to the middle cone. Do this in sets of 6 with just enough time for the fielder to get back before the next ball is delivered.

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(Thanks to Sportplan for the drill templates.)