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Batting concentration
The laws, the techniques, the principles of the game of cricket have been studied and dissected over and over again before the solutions were arrived at. They are then constantly scrutinized and changes made on a regular basis. Should the entirety of the game be taken into account, it could be said that it is more than a game - it's a science.

But put it simply it's a contest between the person with the bat and the person with the ball. The team that collectively dominates both aspects emerges as the winner. This process can now go on from limited overs to a five day test match.

In either form of the game, limited overs or otherwise, a principal requirement is concentration. Because of the lengthy period of the game and because of the periods of inactivity in between deliveries it is not easy to maintain concentration throughout a session. Switching on and then switching off is ideal, but in practice, in the heat of the moment there can be lapses.

Concentration in the cricketing relevance means, "to fix one's powers, efforts or attention on a single object. "It does not sound too complicated, but play the game and the realization will down on the values of concentration. All three departments require concentration. It is essential in batting because one mistake can send you marching out of the park. Whereas bowlers and fielders have an opportunity to make up.

It is combination of many acts connected with the game that helps maintain concern from the beginning to end of a long innings. "Play yourself in." That was a very common phrase years ago. The advent of one day cricket has somewhat destroyed it. It still appears, unless it's the death of a one dayer. Spend sometime assessing what the bowlers are doing and working out how the pitch is playing. Simultaneously get the eyes focused and adjusted to playing the ball. "Correct shot selection". Throughout an innings wait to score off the full tosses, short-pitched deliveries, half volley and what is down leg side. Keep the good deliveries away. It always pays to be patient. "Start again." Another old saying. Even after stroking a boundary or six, tell yourself to start again.

Loss of partner, starting after a break, a fresh days play are all instances that requires the mind and body to be made aware to refocus and resume. Similarly, a change in the bowling requires a fresh start. It could be a bowler you are seeing for the first time or it would be someone you faced before. Start again, take a good look at what he is doing.

"Talk to your partner." Talking should be minimal during a game. The mind must not be allowed to wonder, rather it to be a case of total focus during the day. But communication with the partner is of utmost importance. Firstly in connection with running between wickets. Almost all run outs occur due to the lack of communication. Most importantly your partner can give some insight about the pitch, the bowlers in operation and this should be mutual. It is also advisable to discuss the state of the game and the teams'.

"Do not premeditate". The first thing a batsman does after taking guard is to look around the field to observe where the fielders are positioned. The consistently this takes place, to make a mental note so that the ball could be placed into the gaps. However, a batsmen should not premeditate to hit a ball into an area before sighting the delivery. On a rare occasion this could be done in a one day game but in principal each ball must be watched and played on its merits.

"Play yourself in". "Correct shot selection". "Start again". "Talk to your partner". "Do not premeditate". These are some of the major ways in which concentration can be maintained through periods of time to play a long innings. All the big scorers of runs maintain that level of concentration, which is what makes them the best players.

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