Or you could bash your way through it with a sledgehammer.
North East Valley opener Llew Johnson choose the more brutal approach.
He pummelled a 256 not out during a club game against University-Grange at Memorial Park last month.
That kind of an innings certainly gets you noticed. But so did the 104 he made for Otago A during a three-day match against Canterbury A in late October, and the the 96 he made during a one-day game against Canterbury A in mid November.
No matter what level or format, Johnson has been scoring runs. But a spot in the Volts squad remained out of reach until this week.
Form opener Hamish Rutherford has been sidelined with concussion symptoms.
The 31-left-hander will miss the one-day matches against Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval tomorrow, and again on Tuesday.
That provided an opening for Johnson, who appears to be in a contest with Angus McKenzie for the final slot in the starting XI.
If Johnson gets the nod, he will be making his list A debut. The 20-year-old right-hander was called into the Volts twenty20 side in 2017 as a 17-year-old.
He played three matches without success, but has matured and is looking forward to another crack at the top level.
"This time around I’ve had a bit more training experience with them and have been able to pop in once a week and do a bit of training," Johnson said.
"I felt like I belonged the first time, but it is easier when you know the boys better and the transition from the wider training group has been easier."
Having found the middle of the bat plenty this summer already, Johnson is confident he can make the step up.
He put his improved form down to being more hungry this season, and has set himself the goal of playing professionally.
"I’ve got more drive this season, I’d say.
"It is either I succeed at this now or I start a trade, so I need to start giving it a good crack."
Johnson, who is a teacher’s aide at Balmacewen Intermediate, was born in Timaru, but has a farming background and closer ties with Oamaru.
He has played Hawke Cup cricket for North Otago and plays premier rugby for Maheno Rugby Club.
He slotted in at fullback this year, but had planned to head to Northern Ireland and play cricket during our winter — but Covid-19 ruined those plans.
Auckland will name its side today. It suffered back-to-back losses to Northern Districts in Whangarei in the opening rounds and will need an improved performance.
Otago had two wins against Central Districts. Rutherford played a key role in both games and his absence will put the rest of the top order under more pressure.
