In the movie, Bridge of Spies Mark Rylance is beset by extreme pressure. However, whenever Tom Hanks asks him if he is worried or upset he always answers with the same refrain,

“Will it help?”

Three words that get to the heart of a problem that many cricketers face every time they play. We feel pressure and we respond badly. We panic and do things we would never do when the pressure is off.

The use of weighted balls in power hitting and pitching in baseball is not a new thing, but it’s so brilliant that even us traditional cricket coaches are now cottoning on to the merits.

I have a very good friend who has a background in professional golf, having played on the European Tour and Challenge Tour. Oddly, it got me thinking about cricket.

This drill is ideal for realistic practice in stopping, catching, staying alert and backing up in the field.

The coach (c) hits the ball (in the air or on the ground) to any fielder then shouts which end the ball should be returned to. If the shy is at the bowlers end the other fielders must back up the throw and return it to the coach.

Use this pre-game warm up fielding drill. It will help you hone your skills and picking up, throwing and hitting the stumps. Great for the whole team to take part on match day.

They say practice makes perfect, so use this upgrade to cricket catching practice to see how you improve over time.

A recent study as revealed the answer to an age-old question; the best place for slip fielders to look when waiting for a catch.

This is a guest article from Jordan Finney, cricket coach and sport psychology degree student.

Left out of the team. Opposition counteracting your batting. A new player who can take your role in the squad: The list of cricket setbacks is endless.

This is a guest article by Australian club cricketer, Andrew Pelechaty

Like most weekend warriors, my love for cricket outstripped my talent.

For 17 years, I plugged away as a C-grade outdoor cricketer; I played summer and winter. I trained regularly. I obsessed over the game.

It didn’t really help.

It’s the nightmare for all bowlers: Getting suspended for an illegal action when you have made it into international cricket.

Imagine how it felt for Brian Vitori, Zimbabwe left arm seamer, who was assessed in February 2016 and found to have gone beyond the 15 degree allowed limit for bowlers. He was suspended immediately.