Maintaining versus enhancing skills - how important is that for an international cricketer?

[omairsiddiqui]

What separates international cricket from domestic, club and other levels is, among other things, that players get "found out". Their strengths and weaknesses are assessed by video analysts time and time again. The biggest challenge of international cricket then is to enhance your game by working on your weaknesses and developing new skills. For example,

What I've observed in Pakistan players is that they work hard at maintaining their skill, not enhancing it. When they first play international cricket, they are generally impressive and put up impressive performances. However, after a few series, when they are analyzed and found out, their performances drop and they fail very predictably.

Case in point -
- Hafeez's weakness outside off was exposed to a humiliating degree by Dale Steyn. It remains a weakness even today.
- Ahmed Shehzad's issues with strike rotation. Nothing changed at his most recent comeback.
- Fakhar Zaman's numerous issues with technique, beginning with his tendency to go after anything outside off with just his hands (no footwork)
- Asif Ali's weakness against just about everything except an "in the slot" ball that he can hit straight or over midwicket.
- Hasan Ali's struggles with his line.
- Shadab Khan

We see all of our cricketers putting in the hard yards but are they enhancing their skills or simply maintaining them?

One exception to this is Babar Azam, who has worked on correcting his technical flaws as well as developing his temperament. A real gem of a cricketer who, I hope and pray, goes on to score 10k runs in Tests and ODIs.

 

[TeamPak95]

Very good points made. I think before even working on weaknesses in their game, the players need to first recognize and acknowledge what their own cricketing weaknesses are, followed by working with coaches in correcting them.

 

[Titan24]

I agree. Babar is an example of not only talent rather hard work and effort to keep on improving himself. Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib used to run miles and practiced with just 1 stump to increase their precision. Unfortunately most of our cricketers of last decade try to rely on natural skills without much effort to improve and increasing fitness which never works.

All the modern day greats we have seen in the last decade are product of sheer hard work and many people confuse the performances on the field purely with skills rather than what goes on behind the scenes.

Biggest example is Kevin Pietersen who looked like someone oozing class and natural skills but it was his hard work that made the difference as can be seen from his documentary "The story of a Genius". Ben Stokes is another example regarding which Shane Warne said that he is one of the most hardworking cricketer I have seen.

Talent or skills without hard work dont achieve anything and sooner Pak players understand that the better it is for them.

 

[unemployedgm]

Great Post.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

Very good points made. I think before even working on weaknesses in their game, the players need to first recognize and acknowledge what their own cricketing weaknesses are, followed by working with coaches in correcting them.

Right. And apparently Fakhar Zaman doesn't think he has any weaknesses at all.

 

[The Viper]

Its a real shame that these players don't try and address their flaws.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fakhar score heavily in domestic without rectifying his errors.

 

[Savak]

Tbf, our cricketers don't have the facilities that most SENA players do

 

[Captain caveman]

What separates international cricket from domestic, club and other levels is, among other things, that players get "found out". Their strengths and weaknesses are assessed by video analysts time and time again. The biggest challenge of international cricket then is to enhance your game by working on your weaknesses and developing new skills. For example,

What I've observed in Pakistan players is that they work hard at maintaining their skill, not enhancing it. When they first play international cricket, they are generally impressive and put up impressive performances. However, after a few series, when they are analyzed and found out, their performances drop and they fail very predictably.

Case in point -
- Hafeez's weakness outside off was exposed to a humiliating degree by Dale Steyn. It remains a weakness even today.
- Ahmed Shehzad's issues with strike rotation. Nothing changed at his most recent comeback.
- Fakhar Zaman's numerous issues with technique, beginning with his tendency to go after anything outside off with just his hands (no footwork)
- Asif Ali's weakness against just about everything except an "in the slot" ball that he can hit straight or over midwicket.
- Hasan Ali's struggles with his line.
- Shadab Khan

We see all of our cricketers putting in the hard yards but are they enhancing their skills or simply maintaining them?

One exception to this is Babar Azam, who has worked on correcting his technical flaws as well as developing his temperament. A real gem of a cricketer who, I hope and pray, goes on to score 10k runs in Tests and ODIs.

Excellent post!

But to rectify this problem, you need 2 things

1. World class coaches to highlight these issues to the players.

2. The player to ACCEPT that they have issues with their technique and then be willing to rectify them.

Unfortunately, in the Pakistan team and management/coaching team, these 2 important factors are missing!

 

[ARK Rafay]

I agree. Babar is a supereme example for our current players. When he came into the international scene he had the talent and the skillset, but he knew if he wants to become the best he needs to work hard.

 

[Boiz Played Well]

I think our senior players refuse to acknowledge a problem when they clearly have one. And the younger players are not coached properly after their novelty factor wears off and other teams have them figured out.

I think the younger players need good coaching and guidance to move on to the next step of their careers where they can improve and build on their talent. Instead we have a long list of cricketers who made great starts but burned out after two or so years.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

Tbf, our cricketers don't have the facilities that most SENA players do

Yes, but they get paid enough to hire the services of consultants in different countries. Shan Masood worked with Gary Palmer on his weaknesses and came back a stronger player.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

I agree. Babar is a supereme example for our current players. When he came into the international scene he had the talent and the skillset, but he knew if he wants to become the best he needs to work hard.

There is a lot of emphasis on hard work. I think it's hard work vs smart work.

Hard work - continuing to work on your strengths, i.e nailing that cover drive off a full-length ball, day in and day out.
Smart work - spending a moderate percentage of time on your strengths, more time on enhancing your skills (shots you can't play, deliveries you can't bowl) and just as much time fixing your weaknesses.

Babar is the only one presume is doing smart work

 

[The Viper]

Yes, but they get paid enough to hire the services of consultants in different countries. Shan Masood worked with Gary Palmer on his weaknesses and came back a stronger player.

The players can definitely get help from overseas coaches when the domestic season is over.

Not much excuses can be made.

 

[Savak]

Yes, but they get paid enough to hire the services of consultants in different countries. Shan Masood worked with Gary Palmer on his weaknesses and came back a stronger player.

That i agree with. I estimated that a top Pakistani Cricketer who plays all formats of the game, T-20 leagues and gets endorsements can easily make Rs 60 million a year. Surely they have the means to buy a bowling machine, bats, balls, a personal assistant, personal trainers, meals to stay in shape.

 

[Plumb]

Neither enhancing nor maintaining but regressing.

 

[Markhor]

The problem is our domestic system has been so weak over the years that these international duffers after being found out at the top level, go back to domestic where they look like demons against substandard opposition who aren't good enough to exploit their weaknesses, prompting another recall and cycle of failure.

 

[Captain caveman]

The problem is our domestic system has been so weak over the years that these international duffers after being found out at the top level, go back to domestic where they look like demons against substandard opposition who aren't good enough to exploit their weaknesses, prompting another recall and cycle of failure.

Like imran khan said, the finishing school for our cricketers in the 70s, 80s and 90s was the english county system.
Unfortunately, with all the new rules in the county championship, there is a limit on the number of overseas players and pak players are of less demand.