Like a bad penny he did turn up! Apparently it's the net session on the 10th (D-Day minus 1) that he won't be here (whilst the cat's away?????), so the lads were put through another one of Dave Leighton's tough sessions but it's all part of their development as County standard cricketers and they'll see the benefits in the season ahead!
Here are Coach Leighton's thoughts on today's session at Old Trafford HQ - these notes arrived within 4 hours of the session ending so thanks to Dave for his committment to the lads and to the Barbados Tour. I know Dave is big on the value of communication so big raps to him for taking up part of his Sunday evening to get these thoughts over to me:
Another training session completed and injuries assessed (not just with the players but the parents!!). I can understand football injuries from u/13s, but over 40s?? You do have to wonder!! Not so lucky, Phil!!
The boys once again worked hard with mental tests, tests of character and learning to work things out for themselves. Dominic and Chris were asked to hit as many boundaries as they could from seamers and spinners alike. After an hour they had been tested physically and mentally. They will know whether they worked out the best method for themselves (having been given a little guidance after 10 mins). The objectives for the bowlers was to learn to bowl deliveries that take wickets or stop runs in those situations - e.g. variety of pace, using different angles, bowling yorkers, varying the flight and making the batsman feel out of control. The rest of the players helped each other with a range of back foot play, glances, defending, pull shots, hook shots, square cuts and forcing the ball off the back foot. The objective here was to spend an hour playing off the back foot the shots of their own choice, based on their own understanding of the strokes they play well and not so well. Good technique and balance were the key to successful execution assuming the "serves" were somewhere near. More throwing practice required me thinks!!
The second part of the session was a running net (for those without injuries). Messrs Wright and Brownlow look like dodgy umpires to me. Dom bowled some deliveries that were more akin to the pies on Bury market!! Sam looks more like his old self and the boys were kind on their new coach JP (despite his accent).
The final 20 mins were focused on a variety of close catches - 2 handed and 1 handed and I did Shaun with a beauty that spun of the surface!!
2 weeks to Barbados and the boys are looking sharp. Get the tape ball and suncream ready fellas we're going to have a blast!!
Dave
The boys once again worked hard with mental tests, tests of character and learning to work things out for themselves. Dominic and Chris were asked to hit as many boundaries as they could from seamers and spinners alike. After an hour they had been tested physically and mentally. They will know whether they worked out the best method for themselves (having been given a little guidance after 10 mins). The objectives for the bowlers was to learn to bowl deliveries that take wickets or stop runs in those situations - e.g. variety of pace, using different angles, bowling yorkers, varying the flight and making the batsman feel out of control. The rest of the players helped each other with a range of back foot play, glances, defending, pull shots, hook shots, square cuts and forcing the ball off the back foot. The objective here was to spend an hour playing off the back foot the shots of their own choice, based on their own understanding of the strokes they play well and not so well. Good technique and balance were the key to successful execution assuming the "serves" were somewhere near. More throwing practice required me thinks!!
The second part of the session was a running net (for those without injuries). Messrs Wright and Brownlow look like dodgy umpires to me. Dom bowled some deliveries that were more akin to the pies on Bury market!! Sam looks more like his old self and the boys were kind on their new coach JP (despite his accent).
The final 20 mins were focused on a variety of close catches - 2 handed and 1 handed and I did Shaun with a beauty that spun of the surface!!
2 weeks to Barbados and the boys are looking sharp. Get the tape ball and suncream ready fellas we're going to have a blast!!
Dave
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