| Some things in cricket are not really talked about. | | | | Graham Gooch has admitted he used to put his body |
| However, controversial practices go on at every level | | | | between the stumps and the ball to avoid getting run |
| and all cricketers should be aware of them to be | | | | out. However he could be out for another reason. |
| prepared and to defend against them. | | | | Law 37.1 states "Either batsman is out... if he wilfully |
| Walking | | | | obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word or |
| There are few more divisive issues than walking. | | | | action". If you believe you are on the end of this |
| Should a batter walk if they know they have hit it? | | | | practice then you should appeal for Obstructing the |
| Many people will say yes, many will say it is up to the | | | | Field. |
| umpire and you should always wait. Technically, | | | | Did it bounce? |
| standing your ground is not cheating, although many | | | | Catches taken close to the ground are difficult for |
| people consider it so. | | | | the umpire to call. Dishonest sides can claim they |
| Be prepared to be sledged by the opposition if you | | | | made a catch that they did not. However, it would |
| are a non-walker. If you are faced with a non-walker | | | | take a very good liar to look someone in the eye |
| while in the field then concentrate on uprooting their | | | | and claim a catch. As a general rule, if the fielder says |
| middle stump - they will walk then. | | | | they are not sure if they caught it, they probably |
| As a side point, if a batsman has a reputation as a | | | | didn't. |
| walker takes the opportunity in a big game to fool | | | | Appealing |
| the umpire by not walking he has certainly crossed a | | | | Excessive appealing puts pressure on the umpire and |
| line. | | | | he has a responsibility to report this practice to the |
| Sledging | | | | captain to take action. |
| Encouraging bowlers is a standard part of the game | | | | Appealing is a simple business - if you think it might |
| and not sledging. However, when comments are | | | | be out then you should appeal. If you are confident it |
| directed at the opposition we are clearly in the middle | | | | is not out you should not appeal. Although many will |
| of sharp (if not illegal) practice. | | | | not follow this advice. |
| The best way to deal with it is to turn the other | | | | Overthrows |
| cheek, although many players will bite back. Either | | | | It is commonly accepted that a run isn't taken if a |
| way, the sole aim of a sledge is to put off | | | | shy at the stumps hits the batsman and bounces |
| concentration, so don't let it distract you. | | | | away. However, there is nothing in the laws (or spirit |
| The amazing appearing new ball | | | | as far as I can see) of the game to stop it from |
| Many club games are played with no new ball. | | | | happening. As a batter or fielder you should be aware |
| However Law 5.3 states "either captain may demand | | | | of the possibility. |
| a new ball at the start of each innings". A clever | | | | Slowing the game |
| home captain can exploit this by keeping a new ball in | | | | Many teams will slow down the over rate, take too |
| his bag. If his opponents opt to bowl first he can | | | | long at tea and generally aim to slow the game |
| produce an old ball, if they bat first he can produce | | | | down. In time games this indicates sides are playing |
| his new ball to give him an advantage. | | | | to get a draw, in over games they may be trying to |
| The simple way to avoid this is to ensure your | | | | make the opposition bat in poor light conditions at |
| captain agrees the match conditions beforehand. | | | | the end of the game. Under the new laws, penalty |
| Diving for the cameras | | | | runs can be awarded so don't be afraid to raise the |
| Many players don't fancy chasing a ball about on a | | | | issue with umpires. |
| hot day. To combat this, they make sure they do a | | | | Whatever the practice, the important thing to |
| spectacular dive so they can't chase it, often going | | | | remember is that the umpires are the sole |
| down about as fast as interest rates. This won't | | | | adjudicators of fair play during the match. The |
| happen in a well drilled team with a good captain | | | | captains are responsible for ensuring the game is |
| though. | | | | played fairly and within the Laws and Spirit. |
| Cutting off the shy | | | | |