Ross sent in this question:

I'm a left arm medium bowler and I can swing the ball away from the right hander but I can't make it swing back in. Any tips or pointers?

It made me recall once when I asked Ian Pont how to swing the ball, thinking he would tell me some secret International level trick.

But he didn't.

This is a guest article from Strength and Conditioning Coach John Cook

Here is a no brainer: speed is one of the most important factors in bowling. By reducing the decision making time of the batsman, you increase your chances of taking wickets and reduce the chances of conceding runs.

An old school of thought is that simply bowling more will increase both your bowling speed and ‘toughen up’ your body to prevent injury.

But over-bowling is one of the primary predictors for injury.

This week’s winner of the Cricket Show podcast question competition is Priyatam. He wins a free coaching course from PitchVision Academy.

"I would like to know how to use weighted balls for bowling. I'm not clear with this concept. Can you please explain how and what to do."

Listen to the panel’s answer to his question here.

To enter your own question for the chance to win your choice of online coaching course send your questions in here.

In a bid to improve batting techniques, the BCCI have asked for green pitches in the Ranji Trophy.

But you know - as a fast bowler - it's not all milk and honey in the land of the favourable pitch.

The expectation is that you will slice through the top order in no time.

And that brings a pressure that you don't experience at any other time.

You can tense up.

Or you can relax too much and assume wickets will come no matter how you bowl.

In both cases a long half volley will get put away, even on a minefield.

This is a guest article from coach and PhD candidate Adam Kelly

We all talk to ourselves.

Being aware allows you to control your self-talk; once we control our self-talk it has a positive effect on performance.

I have researched self-talk as a cricket skill during my dissertation, where I analysed the self-talk of international and county fast bowlers.

The results show the power of talking to yourself in cricket.

Self-talk enhances:

This is a guest article from Darren Talbot: professional coach, Managing Director of Darren Talbot Cricket Coaching and founder committee member of the Surrey ECB Coaches Association.

The Australian great Glenn McGrath built an amazing career on consistency.

This week’s winner of the Cricket Show podcast question competition is Wolf. He wins a free coaching course from PitchVision Academy.

"Dear PitchVisioneers, Batting partnerships are a common topic, but never bowling partnerships; when, how and why do they work? Can you plan strategy and roles in different formats, and who stands out for you as examples? "

Listen to the panel’s answer to his question here.

To enter your own question for the chance to win your choice of online coaching course send your questions in here.

One of the myths that surround talent is that of the "natural"; the player who is brilliant from the moment they pick up a bat or ball.

For example, Irfan Pathan. The Indian seamer made his International debut as a 19 year old as a natural batsman and bowler.

In fact - like every natural player - he spent an extraordinary amount of time learning his craft.

How do you make your debut for India at age 27?

If we look at the stories of every player who has made it to the India side in the last 5 years, there is one element that is common.

This element is the same from the spin of Ashwin to the batting of Kohi. It never changes regardless of fielding skill, personality or potential.

So if you want to be the next Sharma, Rahane or anyone else you need to know this element.

It's the only way to pull on the shirt.

What is it?

To understand it, let's go back to the first time Sachin picked up a bat.

Gary Palmer's CCM Academy often plays at tournments with a lot of games in a short time.

As a coach this tests your skills in different ways to weekly coaching sessions and matches.

Watch the video below to find out how Gary handles the challenges including: