Читать книгу At the Close of Play - Ricky Ponting - Страница 9

Here’s a simple summary of the routine that I went through every time I batted for Australia.

Last thing the night before a game or when I expected to bat

• Write a list of what I needed to do out in the middle

– Watch the ball

– Play straight

– Loud calls

– Be patient

– Be positive in attack and defence

– Bat for a long time

– Make 100

– Be man of the match

– Be man of the series

• Read this list out loud after writing it, underline each item when read and visualise each point for tomorrow

• Write a list of each bowler and how they will try to bowl

– Visualise how they will try to get me out

• Then switch off the light and go to sleep

Before going out to bat

• Get ready the same way each and every time

• Sit down and watch the openers with my gear all in same positions around me — ready to go

• Sit with a bottle of water and chew three pieces of gum

• Sip the water when needed

• As soon as a wicket falls, remove the gum and put it aside. Drink water and leave for the middle

Walking out to the middle

• Display energy and walk to the middle fairly quickly

• Do three or four butt kicks with each leg

• Play a number of shadow ‘straight drives’ while walking

• Flick my wrists with bat in hand — both hands

On arrival at the crease

• Take guard and get middle

• Clear all the rubbish on the wicket around the crease line — must be perfectly clear

• Walk down and look closely at the wicket

• Identify the area that I think the bowler can bowl a good ball

• Make sure that area is totally clear

• Move to the side of the pitch and do my hamstring stretches with bat in both hands

• Walk back to the crease while observing the field placement

• Take my grip and take my stance in the crease

Bowler’s run-up and delivery

• Say ‘watch the ball’ to myself twice

— halfway through run-up and just before release of the ball

• Look at the identified area down the wicket and look up at the bowler’s release of the ball

• Then whatever happens, happens

• Switch my mind off completely until bowler is back near top of run-up

• Switch back on and start this delivery routine again