Basic Team Strategy

Cricket strategy is about matching your plan to the conditions, the format and the opposition. Even simple planning beats reacting ball by ball.

Winning the toss

Batting first sets a target and puts scoreboard pressure on the chase. Bowling first lets you know exactly what you need. Pitch and weather usually decide which is better.

Batting plans

• Protect wickets early while the ball is new and hard.
• Rotate the strike so pressure never builds on one batter.
• Target the weakest bowler rather than the whole attack.
• Save the acceleration for the last overs, when fielders are spread.

Bowling plans

Bowl to a field, not the other way round. Decide the line first, set the field for it, and stick to the plan long enough to test it. Changing after two balls tells the batter nothing is coming.

Field settings

Attacking fields put catchers close and accept the risk of boundaries. Defensive fields push players out to save runs. Most captains move between the two as the game turns.

Reading the game

Watch the required rate and wickets in hand together. A side needing eight an over with eight wickets left is in a much stronger position than one needing six with two left.