Batsmen are always complaining about not being able to find consistency. Yet how many times to you practice specifically to become more consistent in matches?

The solution is simple: Work out the purpose of the net session. You don't want to waste a net session or go through the motions because you will not achieve anything valuable from your practice.

When you’re thinking about improving consistency as a batsman there are three different ways to approach practice:

• Technical
• Match/Mental practice
• Shot selection

Be sure and set up the session to best meet your goals.

For example, if you want to play the short ball better, set up the practice with a bowling machine bowling bouncers.Work on your technique: Concentrate on getting the swing plane right, extending your arms and ensure that you are getting my hips moving and rotating.

Concentrate on one facet of the shot, make sure that the body movement was correct, and ensure results. Drill it, face lots of balls and got a lot of feedback instantly from where the ball went. Groove your movements so, come the match you didn't have to think about it.

The other aspect of the game that you can practice in the nets is a specific match situation. Here you're not thinking about the technical aspect, but you're focusing on outcomes.

Often this is as simple as working out how to relax, watch the ball and let your reactions take over. Being able to do that means your technique will be right automatically. It’s almost like you are teaching yourself not to think, it’s a mental technique.

The final type of practice is shot selection. Here your sole focus is to consider your strategy, analyse if it plays to your strengths and make sure you are choosing the right shot to the right ball based on this information. Certainly in a one day or twenty20 chase your shot will change based on a number of different factors. The nets are a great place to try things out without fear of failure, building up your confidence in your ability in a match.

Keep doing this. That's where consistency comes from.