The Art of Finishing Games – Cricket For All

What this article covers

In the US version of The Office , there’s an episode where Andy hosts a small business seminar, attempting to lure in clients. Being too nice of a guy, he gets to the end of a seminar, but doesn’t want to push the sale too hard on attendees. Michael Scott, his boss, (who’s playing a bizarre Greek businessman as a fake attendee) pulls him aside and says: ‘ you’ve got to close!’

It works through:

In detail

Closing a business deal and finishing a cricket game may seem completely different – but they share a lot of similarities.

They both require mental strength, confidence, persistence and require you to be at your best form, even when you’re most fatigued. There’s an art to closing a business deal, just as there’s an art to finishing a cricket match.

A finisher is a batsman who tends to bat in the end overs of an innings. They hit the pitch at usually 4 or 5 wickets down, trying to score maximum runs in the final overs of an innings. When batting first, they aim to set a solid total and, if batting second, their goal is to chase down the opposing side’s score.

Legendary India batsman, MS Dhoni, epitomises the role of finisher. He bats at number 6 or 7 and is known for his ability to make great leads or chase down targets.

So, what makes a great finisher in the likes of MS Dhoni, Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey? Let’s take a look at not only the physical abilities of famous finishers, but also the mental and spatial abilities, too:

Analysing the pitch While sitting in the dugout, the finisher analyses the nature of the pitch, assessing it for flatness and speed. A flat pitch allows batters to hit shots anywhere in the ground, opening up their arms and playing freely. A slow pitch which allows for spin lets batters hit squarer shots, closer to the wicket.

Studying the bowler World class finishers spend a good deal of time studying the bowler before they face them on the pitch. Bowlers have all sorts of tricks up their sleeve to catch batters out, but by analysing their techniques, you can be better prepared to hit their deliveries.

Being aware of fielding positions The fielding positions can tell you a lot about how a bowler is going to bowl, the type of delivery they’re going to use, and how to best adapt to that as a batter.

Keen to learn more about becoming a master finisher? Cricket For All’s experienced coaches can show you the way. Our specialist cricket coaches boast international and first-class cricket experience, and are some of the best in Adelaide. Book in for a session at Cricket For All and get your game to new heights.

Sometimes losing streaks happen because the team simply isn’t as good as the others. But other times, a team full of great players simply drops the ball, and doesn’t perform the way you’d expect. H...

Cricket has always been a major part of the Australian social landscape. Bringing together people of diverse backgrounds, roles and interests, cricket is more than a sport: it’s the ultimate commun...

About Cricket For All

Cricket For All is an Adelaide cricket centre and online cricket store at Unit 1-2, 621-623 North East Road, Gilles Plains, South Australia. The centre has indoor lanes up to 36 m and Bola bowling machines, and runs one-on-one coaching with nationally accredited coaches, junior Winter and High Performance Academies, and junior tournaments including the CFA Super League.

Lane hire is $25/hour on weekday days and $50/hour evenings and weekends. The in-house workshop handles bat repairs, re-handles and knocking in - free on bats bought here. Trading hours are Monday to Thursday 12:00pm-10:00pm, Friday 12:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm. Phone (08) 7095 5777, email enquiries@cricketforall.com.au.

Pricing and program details reflect information published by Cricket For All at the time this page was compiled.

What is a 'finisher' in cricket?

A finisher is a batsman who tends to bat in the end overs of an innings. They typically come in at 4 or 5 wickets down and try to score maximum runs in the final overs. When batting first, they aim to set a solid total, and when batting second, their goal is to chase down the opposing side's score.

Which cricketer is cited as the classic example of a finisher?

Legendary India batsman MS Dhoni epitomises the role of finisher. He bats at number 6 or 7 and is known for his ability to make great leads or chase down targets.

Which other players are mentioned as great finishers alongside MS Dhoni?

Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey are mentioned alongside MS Dhoni as examples of great finishers in cricket.

What three key abilities does the article say make a great finisher?

The article highlights analysing the pitch, studying the bowler, and being aware of fielding positions as key abilities that make a great finisher, alongside physical, mental, and spatial abilities.

How does analysing the pitch help a finisher?

While sitting in the dugout, a finisher analyses the pitch's flatness and speed. A flat pitch allows batters to hit shots anywhere in the ground and play freely, while a slower pitch that allows spin means batters should hit squarer shots closer to the wicket.

Why do finishers spend time studying the bowler?

World class finishers spend a good deal of time studying the bowler before facing them, because bowlers have tricks to catch batters out; by analysing a bowler's techniques, a finisher can be better prepared to hit their deliveries.

What can fielding positions tell a finisher during a match?

Fielding positions can tell a batter a lot about how a bowler is going to bowl, the type of delivery they're going to use, and how to best adapt to that as a batter.

What comparison does the article draw to illustrate the mental side of finishing games?

The article compares finishing a cricket game to closing a business deal, referencing an episode of the US version of The Office where Michael Scott tells Andy 'you've got to close!' It notes that both closing a deal and finishing a match require mental strength, confidence, persistence, and being at your best even when most fatigued.

What does Cricket For All offer to help players become better finishers?

Cricket For All offers coaching sessions with experienced coaches who have international and first-class cricket experience, described as some of the best in Adelaide, to help players learn to become master finishers.

Images on This Page