drills for batting practice by yourself?

Neville YoungCoach, Australia

Geoff Boycott used to practice in front of a mirror or hours every day to see if his technique looked sound. What else can you do during winter in England?

Most of us, however, have used the ball on a rope trick. Either get a plastic covered cricket ball and drill a hole through the middle and attach a length of braided blind cord through it or get a stocking and put an old ball in the bottom and tie a knot just above the ball (to stop it sliding up inside the stocking). Tie it to the clothes line or something similar and practice hitting the ball. It needs to be done with some thought as simply hitting the ball as you would a lofted drive will see the ball travel in a big arc and hit you in the back of the head. Practice hitting the ball as you would to hit it along the ground, experiment with hitting the ball harder or loosen your grip so the bat "gives" slightly and you play the ball so it is hardly hit forward for your defensive shots.

You could do a Don Bradman and practice with a golf ball and a stump. Throw the ball at a wall and hit it with the stump on the rebound.

When you get OK with the bat and ball on a string, swap the bat to a cricket stump and practice hitting the ball with it.

You could also try tether ball. It will help you watch the ball closely and improve your reflexes. If you use a cricket bat you can practice your cut and pull shots. From experience, it pays to check for a worn cord, as it may be the last you see of the ball when practicing your pull shots.