ECB Coaches Association links Coaching Insight 2019 | Page 25

Ramped Up
“But even if a player
doesn’t make the final
XI, he is sampling the
environment, with
access to specialist
coaches like Kevin Shine
(pace bowling), Bruce
French (wicketkeeping),
Peter Such and Saqlain
Mushtaq (both spin), so
they’re working at their
game and learning off
their peers.
“They’re putting three
lions on their shirt, so
when the opportunity
does come, they’re
more familiar with the
environment and what’s
expected. I thought the
experiences were really
positive, with all
players contributing at
various stages.”
Foundations and Games
Speaking to Martyn
Kiel during England’s
tour of the West Indies,
Mark gave his take on
preparing batters for the
season ahead.
“With batsmen, you
want to make sure you
take care of the basics
– the way you set up.
If your stance, grip and
head (your foundation)
is in place, you’re ready
to play any shot.
“I think around 70% of
shots require a straight
bat, so if you can get
that element sorted
you’re going to be hard
to get out.
“To evolve from that you
can look at the hands,
the bat face and how to
manipulate the ball into
space.
“Something I do with
the professionals, that is
relevant at all levels, is to
look at how late the ball
is being played.
“Draw a line in front of
them, and see if they
can play the ball after
it has crossed that line.
It’s a great way for the
players themselves to
see what they might be
doing wrong, or right,
and can be especially
useful as you transition
from indoor to outdoor
nets, where the ball will
stick more and you can
be drawn into playing
the ball too early.”
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