Setting targets is a well recognised method in sport of taking your performance to a new level. With targets in the forefront of my mind I set about a devising a way for us to achieve bigger run totals as a team, and I came up with the following idea……

Run Buddies.

To be competitive against club cricketers we need to be able to get to 200 runs on a regular basis, and by focusing on the “Run Buddy” system, hopefully we can start to do this on a regular basis.

The system is simple and basically works on the lines of individuals being paired up and expected to score a certain amount of runs each game between them. Some weeks it will work out that both players in a pair will get roughly half each of their “Run Buddy” total, and other weeks one player will get them all if their partner has an off day.

If we take a look at the contracted players I have come up with the following “Run Buddy” pairings to propel us to the magic 200 mark on a regular basis. Hopefully you can all see that the targets are realistic, and by working together we can start hitting some big totals. The totals set have been set by studying averages, top scores, and looking at anticipated levels of improvement going into 2008.

70 Shell and Bloater

50 Jim and Mat

30 Steve and Nick

20 Tony and Coxy

20 Bell and Marcus

25 Pits and Extras

If all pairs hit their “Run Buddy” targets, the team will score 215 runs. Obviously some weeks pairs will go over their target and support those that fall short.

Some pairs have been given tough asks, but some if they realise their true potential will fly past their total on almost every occasion.

I have already spoken to my “Run Buddy”, and we are both in agreement that we are going to give it a real go. Not only should your target drive you on to achieve a better batting performance, but it should also ensure that players are encouraging each other to work on their game and regularly hit their target.

The “Run Buddy” system does not only apply to contract players, but also to ad hoc players.

Below is a sample of ad hoc buddies:

40 Bones and Slaps

50 Gareth Cox and Kiwi Graham

40 Ben and Stephen Underwood

30 Kev and Graham Mully

20 Robsie and Sean

10 Sindrey and Kirk

If your run buddy is not playing in the same match, you should aim to hit at least half of your “Run Buddy” total.

If we all get behind this system and drive each other forward, we will soon be competing with the big boys on a regular basis.