Learning from Richie Benaud

As a youngster, I have fond memories of going to a school holiday coaching clinic at Koola Park in Killara and trying my hardest to win the $2 coin that our coach NSW opening bowler Phil Alley had placed in the nets on a good length. 

In a mix of excitement and shock in the generosity of our coach, we all zoned in on the cash prize in an attempt to head home with the spoils. I did not get the cash that day, unfortunately, but it taught me the valuable lesson of looking where you want the ball to go when you are bowling.

In the recent period of self-isolation, with some annual leave to be used and in between some school work with the kids, I have found a bit of time to read through some of my collection in my cricket library. 

One of my favourite writers is the late Richie Benaud and I have been unearthing some gold in his classic from 1961 Way of Cricket. Interestingly, Richie explains that as a youngster he was reading through some coaching tips from Clarrie Grimmett that highlighted the importance of picking a spot where you want the ball to land. Richie, not wanting to let this advice slip by, immediately went outside, marked a pitch in his yard and placed a handkerchief on a good length and started to bowl. 

He explains his method of doing so on page 69 of Way of Cricket “I spent many hours bowling at a handkerchief on a good-length spot in the backyard of my home…. And you don’t need a good wicket to do it. Just mark out any old piece of grass 22 yards long, put down your marker and bowl at it for an hour a day. Your neighbours might think you are crazy but who cares about your neighbours if you are going to take five or six wickets next weekend?” 

This became a hallmark of Richie’s training regime, often staying back in the nets to roll the arm over and aim at the hanky on the length. In fact on one of his most successful tours in South Africa, Richie explains that one afternoon skipper Ian Craig had encouraged the lads to have the afternoon off for a hit of golf. Richie opted, however, to stick to his regime of sending them down at the handkerchief in the nets by himself.

His accuracy became a hallmark of his craft and his work ethic is a great example for those wishing to get the best out of themselves. It also became quite the party trick as well with Richie becoming known for demonstrating his skills to astonished onlookers at exhibitions like the Royal Easter Show, not only hitting the hanky but also whilst blindfolded!

This quiet time of isolation may be the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air in your front or back yard, place your handkerchief on a length and roll the arm over. Yes, your neighbours may think you are crazy but who cares about your neighbours if there are buckets of wickets coming your way when we can all play cricket again.