There was once a time when it was considered such an advantage to bat left handed that it was almost outlawed.

But we live in more enlightened times these day and there is not much chance of the MCC suddenly banning the southpaw.

Nevertheless, the high number of left-handers in international cricket demonstrates the advantage still remains.

 So why not make the most of it by opening with a left-right hand combination?

Earlier this week I ran an article from spin bowling guru Menno Gazendam. It got one reader so fired up that he sent me a huge email reply packed with tips.

It was so good I just had to share it with you.

So thanks to Shiva, an NCA qualified coach in India for the following:

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

Fielding at gully is like being a goalkeeper saving a penalty.   

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but most cricket teams fail to reach their expectations. Yours included.

It’s not because you want to fail, or that the side is untalented. It’s certainly not bad luck. These are handy excuses. Ways we use to justify our failure after the event.

Having a successful club season doesn’t just happen by luck.

Bowlers please tell me; what is exactly so scary about bowling around the wicket?

I've played club cricket and kept wicket for over 20 summers. I've watched dozens if not hundreds of bowlers from the prime position behind the stumps yet only a few have bowled round the wicket.

And those that have are mostly left arm spinners.

The show retains its shorter format this week as we look in detail at the question of how to deal with a bad captain.

This article is part 2 of a 2 part series. To go to part 1 click here

Breaking a big partnership is hard work. Maybe you have already tried the previous 4 things and you are still struggling to get a wicket.

Imagine a typical dot ball.

Perhaps you are thinking of the opening batsman shouldering arms to a ball outside off stump. Maybe you picture a workmanlike off-spinner having a good length ball pushed back with a textbook forward defensive.

The dot is the DNA of cricket. It happens when nothing else happens. It's part of the unique rhythm of the game. The bit that people who don't understand it scratch their heads and say "this is boring".

Batting first gives you control. It's the attacking way and its how cricket 'should be played'.

At least that's what the senior pros at my club and TV commentators say.

Except that you are also much more likely to lose.

At least, that's according to Economics Professor V. Bhaskar who studied the results of every daytime One Day International match and concluded that teams who win the toss and bat only win 44% of matches.