Gary Palmer is a former first-class cricketer and director of CCM Academy. For online batting coaching videos from Gary, click here.

The batters who were highly successful during the 2015 World Cup had one common trait. What can we take from this "best practice" into our own batting this coming season?

The most effective batsmen are good at hitting the ball down the ground. Although some players can hit the rope anywhere, this is one consistent area.

This skill comes from sound basics that are constantly monitored and fine tuned. Watch top batsmen practice and the bulk of their preparation is hitting it down the ground. This is not a new fancy shot but it is the most effective shot because it gives you results with the minimum risk.

If you don't have a good basic technique, you don't have a sound structure to attach additional flair and higher risk shots. Your game plans will always be flawed and your performance will be inconsistent.

We have seen some amazing batsmen in 2015. Batsmen like de Villiers, Sangakarra, Maxwell, Gayle, McCullum, and many more. Batsmen with a range of unique styles, strengths and weaknesses. Yet every one can also nail the ball straight back past the bowler.

That's no coincidence.

Let me leave you with a star from years ago. Sir Vivian Richards was before his time with his improvised attacking shots. We marvelled at his aggressive style and original play. He is one of the all time greats.

Yet even though is reputation was for smashing everything through midwicket, the truth is different. His shots were played from a sound basic technique. He could easily play attacking shots that were low risk. He knew playing straight was effective and easier to play and so he played these shots far more often. I know, I often had the pleasure of watching him bat when we played together at Somerset.

If he was playing today he would play the same shots. Even in Twenty20. He would simply drive more often and would leave the difficult and extremely high risk shots. Even the classic pick up shot over mid wicket off middle and leg line is a highly effective shot that can be of low risk if technique is maintained.

So whether you want to be like a current star, a past hero like Viv, or just better as a club batsman, mastering the basics and playing straight will never go out of fashion.