"Yes...No...Wait..", and Boom one of you is gone!!
Surely, it is not a tough job to say 'yes' or 'no'. Or is it? Calling between the wickets and communication with your partner at the other end is such a basic yet fundamental skill. We can not emphasize the importance of calling and doing it right. It should be a part of practice sessions unless your partner can more often than not read your mind.
Even International level players get it wrong. Steve Waugh, one of the greatest Australian top-order batsman has been involved in over 100 run-out dismissals. That's insane! Rahul Dravid, the wall of Indian cricket, is the second on the list with 101 run-out situations. Even the modern era batting pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been frequently (18) involved in such mishaps. They are humans; we are humans, so mistakes happen. Even then, it just goes to show why it is such an underestimated (never practiced) skill in training.
SKK has had its history with run-outs which seems to be on a decline. Simon Rodgerson, the all-time wicket-taker of the team (400+) has admitted being involved in over 15 run-out dismissals. "My concentration was the thing that made one of the best in the team, but I had a few lapses and they came during batting," he recalls.
Currently, Ponniah Vijendran, one of the key batsmen in the team has had the most run-out involvements within the squad. When asked his batting pair, Areeb Quadir says, "Ponniah is one of the best batsmen I have batted with, he rotates the strike, puts pressure back on the bowler and we have even run a four a couple of times...BUT when it comes to calling it is not so easy with him." The pair of Areeb and Ponniah have made some solid 50 and 100 partnerships for the club, but even in the most recent SM-VIIKKO tournament, they were involved in 5 run-outs, the highest of the competition. "It is my responsibility as well, and I would not have any other partner on the other end. We will work on it," iterated, the 21-year old.
So, our advice to the rest of the cricket community is quite simple when it comes to running between the wickets.
1) Make a loud call! This is one of the times during the game where you have to be vocal. Your team and partner rely on that.
2) Do the basics right. Run hard, unless you know the fielder turns like a fridge. Turn where the ball goes, you have eyes so use them well. And make sure to slide your bat in. Your team would not appreciate a Virendar Sehwag incident.
3) Trust your partner. Build this trust. Have a brief chat with your partner concerning any injuries or niggles. This will ease expectations. The best thing is to discuss with your team-mates prior to the match: how to approach running, who the weaker fielders of the opposition are, who calls the runs. Cricket is mainly about strategy, so make sure to analyze this part in detail as well.
Best of luck and comment below how many times you have been involved in run-outs.
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