Practice apparatus for use by persons wishing to improve their ability to play cricket

Abstract

Practice apparatus (1) for use by persons wishing to improve their ability to play cricket, which practice apparatus (1 ) in use is positioned before a wicket and wherein: (i) the practice apparatus (1) comprises a structure (2) which represents a person batting in a game of cricket; (ii) the structure (2) includes at least one deflector device which is for deflecting a ball; (iii) the deflector device (4) is positioned on the structure (2) for being struck by a ball and to deflect the ball away from the structure (2); and (iv) the deflector device (4) is of a construction which is not found on a person batting in a game of cricket.

Description

This invention relates to practice apparatus for use by persons wishing to improve their ability to play cricket. The game of cricket is a competitive sport. Thus persons playing a game of cricket are always striving to improve their game, and thereby to improve performances of the team for which they play. Typically, a person playing cricket will try and improve their game by repeated practice. Sometimes the person will use the services of a cricket coach. It is an aim of the present invention to provide practice apparatus for use by persons wish to improve their ability to play cricket. Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided practice apparatus for use by persons wishing to improve their ability to play cricket, which practice apparatus in use is positioned before a wicket, and wherein: (i) the practice apparatus comprises a structure which represents a person batting in a game of cricket; (ii) the structure includes at least one deflector device which is for deflecting a ball; (iii) the deflector device is positioned on the structure for being struck by a ball and to deflect the ball away from the structure; and (iv) the deflector device is of a construction which is not found on a person batting in a game of cricket. The practice apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in being able to help all cricket players learn how to improve their game from the deflections caused by the deflector device. For example, a wicket keeper standing behind the practice apparatus will have the practice apparatus between the wicket keeper and the path of the ball towards the stumps. The ball may be provided by a person or a machine. The person may bowl the ball over arm, under arm or may throw the ball in a variety of ways. Similarly the machine providing the ball may provide the ball in a variety of trajectories. The practice apparatus will block the view of the wicket keeper as in a real life situation, and the wicket keeper may improve the speed of their reactions to the ball as the ball deflects from the deflector device. A bowler may improve the accuracy of their bowling by aiming for the deflector device. The bowler may also learn where the ball is likely to deflect in dependence upon where the deflector device is placed on the structure. Players in the slips may improve their speed of reaction by attempting to catch a deflected ball, and they also learn where the ball is likely to be deflected to if the ball strikes a certain part of the structure. Even outer field players may learn where the ball is likely to be deflected to, and thereby learn where to position themselves in the outer field. The practice apparatus may be used with a variety of balls. Typically the balls will be cricket balls but other balls may be used, for example soft balls such as tennis balls. The structure may be representative of a male or a female person batting in a game of cricket. Thus both male and female cricketers and their teams are able to use the practice apparatus. The structure may be in the form of a model. The structure may be life-like to look like a male or a female person batting in a game of cricket. Alternatively, the structure may be non-life-like and it may be of any desired shape for representing a person batting in a game of cricket. The structure is preferably of a life-like size but it may be larger or smaller if desired. The practice apparatus may be one in which the deflector device is configured to allow the ball to pass through the deflector device, whereby the ball is deflected consequent upon its passage through the deflector device. The deflector device may be one having an aperture which is for the ball, and which is provided with deflector members. The practice apparatus may be one in which the deflector device comprises a plurality of deflector members for deflecting the ball. The deflector members may be deflector fins. Other types of deflector device and other types of deflector members may be employed. Preferably, the practice apparatus is such that there is a plurality of the deflector devices. The ball may thus strike one of the plurality of the deflector devices and be appropriately deflected. The number of the deflector devices employed may increase the number of possible deflections, thereby adding to the versatility of the practice apparatus. By way of example, there may be at least two of the deflector devices with one at each of a mid-body blocking position, an upper cricket pad position, a between-legs position, and a leg position. More of the deflector devices may be employed so that, for example, there may be a deflector device on each of the pair of pads of the person batting. The practice apparatus may include at least one auxiliary deflector device positioned adjacent profile parts of the structure. The auxiliary deflector device may be a non-apertured auxiliary deflector device. The non-apertured auxiliary deflector device may be a deflector fin. Where there are two or more of the deflector devices and / or two or more of the auxiliary deflector devices when the auxiliary deflector devices are present, then the deflector devices and the auxiliary deflector devices may be colour coded, for example to assist coaching. The practice apparatus may be one in which the structure comprises an image of a person batting in a game of cricket, with the image of the person being provided on a surface of the structure by printing or by a cover. Other methods of providing the image of the person on the structure may be employed. The practice apparatus may be one in which the structure is constructed to comprise an impact-absorbing layer on a rigid substrate. An image of the person may be provided on a surface of the impact-absorbing layer. The practice apparatus may be of any suitable and appropriate construction and formed of one or more materials. Generally, the structure will be constructed to be sufficiently robust such that it is able to withstand repeated impacts from balls, for example cricket balls, and not prematurely to fail due to the impacts from the balls. The practice apparatus may be one in which the structure is of a person in any desired cricketing position. Thus, for example, the structure may be one in which the person is in a forward drive / defence position. Alternatively, the structure may be in another cricketing position such for example as when the person is performing a leg stroke or a boundary stroke. Advantageously, the practice apparatus is one in which the structure is reversible such that a first face of the structure represents the person when the person is playing right handed, and a second face of the structure represents the person when the person is playing left handed. Typically, the first face will be opposite the second face, whereby the structure is reversible. If desired however, the first and second faces may be adjacent to each other or otherwise spaced and / or angled apart. The structure may have a flat face or it may have a curved face. Any appropriate construction may be employed for the structure, for example such that the structure is of a realistic and a life-like size. The practice apparatus may include mounting means for mounting the practice apparatus in a position for use. The mounting means is preferably a stand. Other mounting means may be employed. Thus, for example, the mounting means may be pegs, in which case the practice apparatus may be secured in position in the same manner as the stumps in a game of cricket. The deflector device may be permanently mounted on the structure. Alternatively, the deflector device may be removably mounted on the structure for being provided at different positions on the structure, for example as may be required by a cricket player trying to improve their game. Similarly, the practice apparatus may be one in which the auxiliary deflector device is permanently mounted on the structure, or is removably mounted on the structure for being provided at different positions on the structure. Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows first practice apparatus of the present invention and which comprises a structure which represents a person batting right-handed in a game of cricket; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a deflector member forming part of second practice apparatus of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the deflector member shown in Figure 2, and illustrates the operation of the deflector member; Figure 4 shows third practice apparatus of the present invention and which comprises a structure which represents a person batting right-handed in a game of cricket; and Figure 5 shows fourth practice apparatus of the present invention and which comprises a structure which represents a person batting left-handed in a game of cricket. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown practice apparatus 1 comprising a structure 2 of a person batting in a game of cricket. The structure 2 is of a lifelike size. The structure 2 includes at least one deflector device 4 which is not normally found on a person batting in a game of cricket. The deflector device 4 is positioned on the structure 2 for being struck by a ball and to deflect the ball away from the model. The deflector device 4 comprises a plurality of deflector fins 5 for deflecting the ball. The deflector fins 5 define an aperture 7 as can be seen from Figure 1. There is a plurality of the deflector devices 4. More specifically, there is one of the deflector devices 4 at each of a mid-body blocking position, a cricket pad position and a between legs position. The structure 2 is also provided with auxiliary deflector devices 6 adjacent profile parts of the structure 2. These auxiliary deflector devices 6 are not provided with apertures but they may be provided with apertures if desired. An image of the person may be provided on a surface of the structure 2 by printing or by a cover. Other methods of providing the image of the person on the structure 2 may be employed. The structure 2 may be one which is constructed to comprises an impact absorbing layer on a rigid substrate, and in which an image of the person is provided on a surface of the impact-absorbing layer. Any suitable and appropriate construction for the structure 2 may be employed. Thus the structure 2 may be constructed from one or more materials, providing it is sufficiently robust to withstand repeated impacts from balls, and thereby not prematurely fail. As can be seen from Figure 1, the structure 2 is of a person using a cricket bat 9 in a forward drive / defence position. The structure 2 may be in any other desired position for a person batting in a game of cricket. The structure 2 is reversible such that a first face 8 of the structure 2 is of the person when the person is playing right handed (as shown in Figure 1), and a second face (not shown) of the structure 2 is of the person when the person is playing left handed. On the structure 2, the second face is opposite the first face 8 shown in Figure 1. Thus the structure 2 is easily reversible for enabling cricket players, coaches and other persons to appreciate ball deflections as they occur from right handed players and left handed players. The practice apparatus 1 comprises mounting means in the form of a stand 10. The practice apparatus 1 is thus easily placed where desired, for example at some relative position in front of a bowler, a bowling machine, or coach. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a circular deflector device 12. The deflector device 12 is shown in part on a structure 14. The deflector device 12 is formed as an integral part of the structure 14. The structure 14 comprises front and rear impact-absorbing layers 15, 16 respectively. The impact-absorbing layers 15,16 are respectively mounted on rigid substrates 18, 20. The rigid substrates 18, 20 are mounted one on either side of a flexible deflector member 22 having the deflector fins 5. The impactabsorbing layers 15, 16 may be made of a foam material. The rigid substrates 18, 20 may be made of Perspex. The deflector member 22 may be made of a pliable plastics material or stiff linoleum. In all cases, other materials may be employed. Figure 3 shows how the deflector fins 5 of the deflector member 22 are forced open as a ball 24 passes through the deflector member 22 and is deflected by one or more of the deflector fins 5. The deflector fins 5 may be regarded as deflector baffles. The impact-absorbing layers 15,16 may be provided with image-bearing material. The image-bearing material may be on a printed plastics surface of the impact-absorbing layers 15, 16, or it may be a covering for the impactabsorbing layers 15, 16. Figure 4 shows a structure 26 which is like the structure 2. As compared with the structure 2, the structure 26 has three of the deflector devices 4 with the central apertures 7. These deflector devices 4 have rectangular shaped deflector fins 28 as shown. The structure 26 has an aperture 30 between the legs of the cricketer shown on the structure 26. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the aperture 30 may be provided with a deflector device 4 of the type shown between the legs of the cricketer on the structure 2 shown in Figure 1. The structure 26 has spaced apart rectangular auxiliary deflector devices 32 around its entire periphery apart from its base. Figure 5 shows a structure 34 which is like the structure 26 except that the structure 26 is of a person batting right-handed in a game of cricket, whereas the model 34 is of a person batting left-handed in a game of cricket. Similar parts in the structures 26, 34 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The structure 34 may be regarded as a mirror image of the structure 26. The practice apparatus of the present invention, for example comprising the structures 2, 14, 26, 34, is able to be used for cricket coaching for use by all cricket players intent of improving their game. The practice apparatus may be such that the structure is of any life-like size, for example 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 metres) high. As shown, the structure 2 is in a forward drive / defensive position. The deflector devices 4 when hit by an incoming ball, deflect the ball as if it had come into contact with the bat or a part of an actual person batting in a game of cricket. The deflected ball changes trajectory, and then the cricket players concerned, for example the wicket keeper or slip field players need to adjust to the new trajectory. For a wicket keeper, the practice apparatus of the present invention is able to create a life like visual barrier between the wicket keeper and a person bowling or otherwise throwing a ball towards the practice apparatus, or a bowling machine. Thus the practice apparatus is able to test the reactions of the wicket keeper because the wicket keeper will not know the direction of deflection of the cricket ball. The wicket keeper will not see the ball until the last moment. This thus is able to improve the speed of reaction of the wicket keeper. The wicket keeper may thus learn to adjust position quickly in order to catch a ball. For a bowler, the practice apparatus is able to enable the bowler to adjust their bowling techniques. For slip field players, the practice apparatus is able to help the slip field players learn about cricket ball deflections, and also to improve their speeds of reaction. When the practice apparatus is provided with structures that are reversible, for example the structures 2,14, 26, 34, then the practice apparatus is easily used in situations where cricket players or coaches may wish to use one structure to improve their game with respect to right-handed cricket players, and another structure to improve their game with respect to left-handed cricket players as occurs in a real game of cricket. The stand 10 may be a sprung stand 10 or a fixed stand 10. The practice apparatus 1 may be used for player training drills and individual player training. By varying the structures 2 various drills can be practiced in dependence upon the stance adopted by the structure 2. The structure 2 is able to form an artificial but realistic image of a cricketer, for example as a printed image on a fixed frame. The deflector fins 5 may be regarded as baffles. The auxiliary deflector devices 6 may be individually divided and spaced around parts of a profile of the structure 2. The spacing and positioning of the deflector devices 4 and the auxiliary deflector devices 6 may be aligned to real game-based scenarios. Thus the deflector devices 4 and the auxiliary deflector devices 6 are able to create the opportunity of real life scenarios which are important to training. Thus, for example, the deflector devices 4 and the auxiliary deflector devices 6 may be placed in or more of the following positions: Gloving Offside Glove down legside - strangle . Inside keeper edge view blocked . Lower off the pads legside take .     Yorker wide of stumps .      Front foot classic “Nik” .     Short ball glove behind - Fending .      High end for fast bowling , Inside edge for spin and swing The practice apparatus of the present invention may be used to artificially block ball trajectories. Bowlers may wish to improve their bowling by targeting specific parts of the structure and / or specific ones of the deflector devices and / or specific ones of the auxiliary deflector devices. All fielders may improve their throwing ability by targeting appropriate ones of the deflector devices and the auxiliary deflector devices. As indicated above, the practice apparatus may be used for improving slip catching and also as a general fielding tool. The practice apparatus may be used with any desired type of balls. Typically the balls will be cricket balls but other balls such for example as tennis balls may be employed. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the structure 2 may be of a male cricket player or a female cricket player. The structure 2 may be in a cricket-playing position other than that shown in Figure 1. The structure 12 may be of a different construction than that shown in Figure 2. Other types of stand 10 may be employed. The structure chosen in the practice apparatus may include any desired number of deflector devices and auxiliary deflector devices, and in any desired positions. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and / or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

1. Practice apparatus for use by persons wishing to improve their ability to play cricket, whichpractice apparatus in use is positioned before a wicket, and wherein:5            (i) the practice apparatus comprises a structure which represents a person batting in a gameof cricket;(ii) the structure includes at least one deflector device which is for deflecting a ball;(iii) the deflector device is positioned on the structure for being struck by a ball and to deflect the ball away from the structure; and0            (iv) the deflector device comprises a plurality of deflector fins for deflecting the ball.

2. Practice apparatus according to claim 1 in which the deflector device is configured to allowthe ball to pass through the deflector device, whereby the ball is deflected consequent upon its passage through the deflector device.

153. Practice apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which there is a plurality of thedeflector devices.

4. Practice apparatus according to claim 3 in which there are at least two of the deflector20 devices with one at each of a mid-body blocking position, an upper cricket pad position, a between-legs position, and a leg position.

5. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including at least oneauxiliary deflector device positioned adjacent profile parts of the person.

256. Practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which the auxiliary deflector device is a non-apertured auxiliary deflector device.

7. Practice apparatus according to claim 6 in which the non-apertured auxiliary deflector device30 is a deflector fin.

8. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the structure is inthe form of a model of a person batting in a game of cricket.2021242011   17 Aug 20269.      Practice apparatus according to claim 8 in which the structure is of a life-like size.

10. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the structurecomprises an impact-absorbing layer on a rigid substrate.

511. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the structure is in the shape of a person in a forward drive / defensive position.

12. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the structure is reversible such that a first face of the structure represents a person batting in a game of cricket when the person is playing right handed, and a second face of the structure represents the person batting in a game of cricket when the person is playing left handed.

13. Practice apparatus according to claim 12 in which the first face is opposite the second face, 15 whereby the structure is reversible.

14. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including mountingmeans for mounting the model in a position for use.20    15. Practice apparatus according to claim 14 in which the mounting means is a stand.

16. Practice apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the deflector device is permanently mounted on the structure.25    17. Practice apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 15 in which the deflector device isremovably mounted on the structure for being provided at different positions on the structure.

18. Practice apparatus according to any one of claims 5 - 7 in which the auxiliary deflector device is permanently mounted on the structure, or is removably mounted on the structure for being30 provided at different positions on the structure.

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