“There is a balance between suggested methods, orthodox and well tried, and the priceless experience of the Masters who know that good cricketers should be able to find their own strengths.”

If you ever saw Sir Issac Vivian Alexander Richards bat, you already know what the great man means by that quote from the MCC Masterclass book: Batting to him is about natural expression, not the copybook.

He is right of course. Your own batting is directly related to your attitude.

• Are you looking to score of every ball and only defend as a last resort?
• Do you see fielders or do you see gaps?
• Do you concentrate on batting correctly or effectively?

Viv was never tied down by technical analysis and neither should you be. Whatever your level of batting skill the approach is never different: Just play.

There are techniques you can use to help yourself relax at the crease and build up your confidence. If you have played cricket for any length of time you probably don’t need much technical work at all, just belief you can do it.

Sure, glaring technical errors will always need to be coached, but ask yourself if you really have any or you just need to think a little bit more like Viv.

I’m willing to bet you will get more runs just by doing that.