Bengaluru: With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sealing their berth within the playoffs of Indian Premier League 2025, RCB fielding coach Richard Halsall believes fielding, whereas usually missed, is the distinction between successful and shedding in fashionable cricket.
Halsall, often known as ‘Stick’ inside the RCB camp mentioned, “Fielding is the realm of the sport that in all probability will get talked in regards to the least. However in T20 cricket now, there are only a few hiding locations. You are attempting to shorten that second of concern or panic when the ball’s coming at you and have the ability to execute your ability. That potential comes solely via targeted coaching.”
Talking on how fielding has developed over time, he mentioned, “The largest impression has been the rise in physicality. You don’t get excellent fielders with out it. Gamers now take pleasure in eager to have an effect on video games. They copy phenomenal athletes from different sports activities they usually wish to make an impression.”
That mindset is what he has tried to construct all through his profession, each via artistic strategies and with intent. He mentioned, “I’m unsure if I used to be the primary one to make use of a bowling machine for fielding drills, however I noticed it in hockey, the place they used it to duplicate the facility wanted for goalkeepers. In cricket, we had folks throwing at 80 miles an hour and nicking balls at slip. That was nice, however how many individuals have that ability? The machine might do it constantly. That gave me the liberty to display extra successfully and extra realistically.”
It’s this consideration to element and creativity that has earned him the belief of gamers and coaches alike. Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, mentioned Halsall brings each reliability and problem to the set-up. He mentioned, “He’s fairly an vital ally for Andy (Flower). They’ve labored collectively throughout the globe. Considered one of Andy’s strengths is that he desires folks round him who will add to his considering, not simply say sure. Richard does that actually properly.”
Greater than the drills or the machines, Halsall’s actual energy lies in how a lot he cares in regards to the folks he coaches. Bobat mentioned, “He actually cares, like instructor cares about their college students. And gamers decide up on that. He’s artistic, unconventional, and ready to problem conference.”
His personal journey into teaching has been something however typical. Born in Zimbabwe, Halsall was a good cricketer and later grew to become a instructor, earlier than a suggestion to check at Cambridge modified his course. A visit house for his brother’s wedding ceremony led to an opportunity assembly with Andy Flower and an invite to hitch a Zimbabwe coaching session.
Among the many finest fielders he has labored with, Halsall names Andrew Flintoff and Paul Colingwood, and from India, gamers like Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey and Mayank Agarwal. He mentioned, “All of them have totally different strengths, however there’s a pleasure to their fielding. That’s what I search for.”
When requested to call the one fielder who modified the way in which he noticed the sport, Halsall opined, “Viv Richards. Simply his presence on a cricket discipline, that was one thing else. Watching him in a World Cup remaining, operating Australians out, that was sensational.”
His teaching philosophy is constructed on adaptability and help. He added, “Should you want somebody to throw, I can throw. Should you want somebody to assist with bowling or evaluation, I can try this. Possibly not in addition to ‘Malo’, DK or Andy however I can empathise and assist them enhance. That’s my energy.”
