Matt Homes recently co-authored the book published by Wisden on How to Play, Coach and Win at Twenty20 Cricket and will post regular extracts from the book starting a part 4 the Wicketkeeping by Ben Scott / Worcestershire CCC.
”WICKETKEEPING"
A good wicketkeeper is perhaps even more important in Twenty20 Cricket, where one or two runs or a catch, stumping or run out can be the difference between winning or losing a match. It is the perennial problem of coaches, managers and captains as whether to play the wicketkeeper batter or the out and out wicketkeeper but in a Twenty20 match the argument for the out and out keeper could be stronger than in any other form of the game. A wicketkeeper who can expertly stand up to the stumps to most, if not all, of your bowlers during the course of the twenty overs can give your bowlers an important advantage in winning matches, pinning batters in their creases and not allowing them the opportunity to use their feet.
In this section we will look at standing up the stumps to seamers and standing back, as well as other areas such as running batters out.
STANDING BACK
It’s important to realise that wickets are crucial at the top end of the innings and with the new ball that nips around the keeper is always in the game with caught behinds standing back. At the beginning of the innings the keeper will want to see if there is movement off the pitch which could bring the big nick caught behinds come in to the game and also towards the end of the innings when the faster bowlers come on to bowl death you may also need to stand back. Even if the keeper feels comfortable standing up, it’s important to assess each batsmen as to their strengths and weaknesses. This may bring bouncers in to play. Or at any time when maybe a “Dilscoop” is being used or some other kind of innovation it may require you to stand back.
HOW TO DO IT
Stand with your left foot just on off stump if there is a right hander facing or with your right foot just behind off stump if it's a left hander facing. Its even more important to go all the way down in to a crouching stance so you can rise with the bounce of the ball.
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Introductory Level
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, hands out in front, presenting a large target for the ball to go in. Coaches should feed a tennis ball to the keeper at pace, at consistent height and width, moving on to an incrediball. Make sure you catch the ball with soft hands.
Intermediate Level
Find a comfortable position where you can stay as low as possible but still be able to look straight with your head and concentrate on taking the ball under your eyes or slightly towards your inside hip. Coaches should feed the ball with slightly more variation of height and width.
Advanced Level
Be ready to dive, load your inside leg ready to power off. Look for variations the bowler might have i.e. slower balls in which case a long barrier may be an option. You may need to take your glove off ready to throw the stumps down if the non striker is looking to run to you. So practice taking balls one handed as well. Practice against actually bowlers on the square.
Troubleshooting
• Watch the ball all the way in – don’t raise your head or take your eyes off the ball to early
• Give with the ball – you need soft hands to take the ball cleanly
• Don’t move too early
• Come up with the bounce – if you come up too soon you may be too high to catch the ball
Fielding Captain’s Note
Your keeper is an invaluable view of what’s going on so use his observations to keep yourself a step ahead of the game, for example field placings and bowling changes.
STANDING UP TO THE SEAMERS
Standing up is one of the most useful techniques used by modern keepers. In Twenty20 cricket the batter is looking for any advantage they can, including running down the wicket and just having the freedom to leave their crease with an expansive shot. You can also cut off short singles if the batsman looks to drop and run. As an added bonus you are right at the stumps ready for a run out. If the batter is advancing down the wicket to hit the ball or if you get the feeling he is looking to do so that is the time when you should be looking to move up to the stumps. If the bowler feels comfortable with you standing up then its sometimes worth being pro active and standing up from the start. Work closely with your bowlers to devise your plan of attack.
HOW TO DO IT
Stand with your left foot just on off stump if there is right hander facing or with your right foot behind off stump if there is a left hander facing. Its even more important to go all the way down in to a crouching stanceso you can rise with the bounce of the ball.
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Introductory Level
Stand with feet shoulders width apart facing down the wicket with your feet positioned as shown above. Crouch down in to the keeping position and keep your hands on the floor. The coach should feed the ball to the keeper bouncing on a length so that means you take the ball just above knee height. Watch the ball right in to the gloves, giving slightly with your hands.
Intermediate Level
Adopt the same position now get the feeder to change the length of the ball so that some bounce higher and some pitch closer to your feet, e.g. half volley). It’s important to keep your hands as low as possible so the ball doesn’t skid under them. When you take the ball this time pretend to take the ball back to the stumps.
Advanced Level
At the advanced level time practice taking the ball for a right and left hander using the same methods. You can also add a shadow batted to these drills. Ask someone to stand in front of you with a bat pretending to hit the ball but missing. This will form the most realistic practice as it creates a distraction as you would get in the game.
Troubleshooting
• Don’t come up too early
• Watch the ball all the way in – you don’t want to drop it and miss a catch or stumping
• Move quickly with as little movement as possible so you can get back to the stumps for a stumping
Fielding Captain’s Note
When standing up to the stumps, the keeper has an almost identical view of the fielders as the batsman so speak to your keeper to get the angle of the fielders right. Be aware as a captain, though, with the keeper up at the stumps fine leg and third man may have to come a bit straighter to cover small nicks and leg byes.
