'Momentum' is hard to define in cricket, but you know when you have it: That feeling of being on top of the game.

Smart players and coaches know how to control momentum: to be in charge of the flow and pace of the game. They understand when to ride this wave of success. They also know when to take action to get it back if it starts to slip away.

In a single game, the balance of power can shift many times, however there are really only three situations you can be in. These situations are defined by how you are doing in the game. Although, unlike a football match you can't know exactly who is winning and losing at any time, you can get a sense for the game situation. You may be batting last and be several wickets down while the run rate creeps up. Or you may be bowling and your star seamer takes a hat-trick. In the former the balance of the game is with the opposition so you are losing. In the latter the balance is with you so you are winning.

The momentum is with you so there is little you need to do as your plans are working. However, take care not to let the balance shift back. The opposition will be fighting to gain control again.

One tactic that works well when you have the advantage is to try and speed the game up as much as possible. In the field that may mean getting through your overs quickly to stop the batsman having time to settle and think. As a batter you might want to try and up the scoring rate further to put pressure on bowlers.

When the balance of the game is against you there are two ways to approach your comeback plan.

The first is to keep the same tactics as before. For example, Imagine you are bowling and the batsman are scoring quickly without losing wickets. If conditions are in your favour and their runs are coming from edges that are just missing fielders or other lucky breaks you may want to persevere with 'plan A' a little longer. You feel a catch is just around the corner.

However, consider the same situation where the batsmen are scoring off the middle of the bat and are in little danger from the ball moving around. Here you may want to make changes. You could tighten up the field, cutting off the scoring shots or try something unorthodox.

Whether you are batting or bowling it may also be worth slowing the pace of the game. This gives you time to relax, think and think of the best way to come back at your opponents.

The third situation can be very exciting or very dull.

In close games where runs are being scored and wickets are falling the balance is shifting so quickly from one way to the other it can be hard to say who is winning. These are rare games but exciting and tense to play in. You might look to slow the pace of the game in this situation to, allowing you time to get focused. It's easy to get overexcited.

The dull part really only happens in declaration or time cricket when the draw is an option. Here neither side is winning. The problem often occurs when a team is set a target they feel then cannot get in the time available (or with the batsmen they have). The batting team set themselves for defence while the bowling team run out of ideas and start hoping for an unforced error.

This situation can be avoided by more sporting declarations. However if you find yourself in the field when the game goes flat then all you can do is keep trying new ways to get the batsmen out; as they are set on defence this will be difficult. Slower balls, variations, occasional bowlers and field changes (based in common sense and sometimes psychological buff) can all be tried.

The key for me is this: Whatever situation you are in, it's important to know where the balance of power or momentum is. One of the unique pleasures of cricket is the combination of a slow pace on the surface and a constant shift of momentum between teams. If you are sharp to the situation and have a plan for it you can perform at a higher level.

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Want to be a better captain? Learn from the best with the interactive online course Cricket Captaincy by Mike Brearley.