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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 09:21:55 AM

Title: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 09:21:55 AM
Ok, so for the last 2 winters I've turned myself into a batsmen. I'm playing at a reasonable level but I've come to realise that the only way I get out is myself. So, how so you train yourself to stop giving it away more ? I can tick along at about 60SR easily enough but come unstuck when trying to push on . What training drills can I do to try and up this side of my game ?


I'd love to come back next year and aim to dominate the league but for that I need to improve the middle part of my innings.  In sat league games so far I've had


105* off 109 balls
51* off 91 balls and then the rain come just as I was accelerating
8 off about 12 balls. Epic fail against a weak attack due to trying to play a cocky shot and nicked off
16 off 48 balls, getting out on the openers last ball playing the same cocky shot as the week before (that shot has been put away now)
22* off 51 batting with the tail collapsing
22 off 30 balls, chased a crap wide long hop and nicked off
66 off 60 ish balls, limited overs due to rain but got out trying to slog sweep a straight ball

So, as you can see, I get myself out all the time. Usually when the hard work is done and I'm looking to push on. So, how do I train this part of my game?  I'm not a blocker and can play all around the ground so it's not that I don't have the shots, just want to know how I can improve .



Any ideas ?
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: 400notout on June 20, 2013, 09:25:28 AM
You don't sound like you are scoring slowly!

Do you get your runs in boundaries mainly, it may be a case of turning those dots into 1s/2s which in the end can take a strike rate of 80 to 100 easily.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: The_Bird on June 20, 2013, 09:26:43 AM
Cricket and sport in general is all about whats between the ears, it always will be. get that right and you'll make fewer mistakes. All your dismissals are cocky shots...that should tell you what you need to know.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 09:30:56 AM
You don't sound like you are scoring slowly!

Do you get your runs in boundaries mainly, it may be a case of turning those dots into 1s/2s which in the end can take a strike rate of 80 to 100 easily.

I'm slow for the first 50 balls but usually if I face 100 balls ill have 80+ runs as once I'm in the shots come out. The cocky shots were trying to place it down to third man with a flat bat rather than a straight open blade.


Mental side is something I still need to learn as I'm new to batting still. Turning dots into 1's is something I do need but not sure how to actually work on it.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: uknsaunders on June 20, 2013, 09:38:35 AM
60SR over 45 overs is a team score of 162. If that is par for your deck or league then fair enough you are doing your job. Problem with batting is the acceleration part comes with extended time at the crease. The longer you bat the quicker you score as you get your eye and become use to the conditions/bowling. If you have a 60SR for the first 20-30 runs I see no problems with that,  chances are you will go nearer 100SR thereafter and your overall rate will climb. Only one of your longer knocks could be described as stodgy, the 51 off 91 balls, but then again how did everyone else bat that day?

People do get "stuck" sometimes but as long as it's not every week I see no issues.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: uknsaunders on June 20, 2013, 09:47:44 AM
I'm slow for the first 50 balls but usually if I face 100 balls ill have 80+ runs as once I'm in the shots come out. The cocky shots were trying to place it down to third man with a flat bat rather than a straight open blade.


Mental side is something I still need to learn as I'm new to batting still. Turning dots into 1's is something I do need but not sure how to actually work on it.

It's about acceptable risk in the latter stages. Play the shots you are comfortable playing and play as straight as possible. I'm not a very good slogger but I am comfortable advancing down the pitch to the medium pacers in the latter stages, but looking to play straight and it's more about the positive mindset rather than the final result. Sometimes I take my guard a yard outside my crease or times I take a couple of steps, but I'm happy to do that in the closing stages. I often find I loosen up and start to pull more freely when the ball is dug in. Hitting one 4 and 5 singles is still 9 an over (150SR) and as long as you can get something away in an over you don't have to go mad.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 09:50:15 AM
The 51* came on a day we were inserted to bat and it rained so we were on and off all the time. The oppos bowled their openers 9 and 7 overs on the trot and in fairness they bowled really well. Our pro came in, started taking the first change apart and I joined in. We went off on 29 overs gone, 2 down on 129 with me on 51* and the pro on 45 so we were hitting them as due to rain they'd bowled out their openers .   Then a big break hit us and that was the end of our innings :(
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: uknsaunders on June 20, 2013, 10:13:24 AM
The 51* came on a day we were inserted to bat and it rained so we were on and off all the time. The oppos bowled their openers 9 and 7 overs on the trot and in fairness they bowled really well. Our pro came in, started taking the first change apart and I joined in. We went off on 29 overs gone, 2 down on 129 with me on 51* and the pro on 45 so we were hitting them as due to rain they'd bowled out their openers .   Then a big break hit us and that was the end of our innings :(

exactly - your SR was 56, the team SR 74 - I don't think that's too bad considering you were facing the opening bowlers in the first 30 overs in not great conditions. It's when you are half the teams SR you need to worry.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 10:16:34 AM
exactly - your SR was 56, the team SR 74 - I don't think that's too bad considering you were facing the opening bowlers in the first 30 overs in not great conditions. It's when you are half the teams SR you need to worry.

So, how can I train that middle part of the innings though? I mean I can and do spend hours on the machine just training the different shots but I feel I am still missing that something to take me from doing well to really dominating games. Currently I find that I do well in games and the oppo's all seem to say 'well done' BUT I don't feel like I have dominated them. I've not made teh capt panic or worry, not made the bowlers really think 'crap, where the hell do I bowl now' etc... I don't want to be a Simmy Slogger :) but would like to train up a safe way to really put the fielding side under more pressure and hopefully not only score more runs but also create chances for my team mates when they come in.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: uknsaunders on June 20, 2013, 10:27:27 AM
I was watching the Lashings lot yesterday and what was impressive was how early they were in position and the fact they had multiple options. One spinner commented that he bowled 3 balls in the same place and the same batsman hit the ball in 3 completely different places!

Improve your range of shots and time you have to play them. Any weak shots you have, get down the nets with the bowling machine and get those shots grooved. Simmy had a video of Ian Bell doing the cone thing - ie. hitting 10 balls in 10 completely different areas, maybe that would be worth a go. Another route is what Lance Kluesner use to do, just practise hitting balls for six by getting somebody to throw down the balls with some boundary fielders. Again it's about grooving the shot and building confidence to play it.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ajmw89 on June 20, 2013, 10:30:20 AM
Putting the fielding side under pressure is more about you mental approach than anything technical.  You don't have to score boundaries off every ball, but run hard to turn 1s into 2s, nick singles where possible.  Nothing frustrates a bowler more than picking up singles where there shouldn't be one or turning 1s into 2s imo
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Buzz on June 20, 2013, 10:37:29 AM
Putting the fielding side under pressure is more about you mental approach than anything technical.  You don't have to score boundaries off every ball, but run hard to turn 1s into 2s, nick singles where possible.  Nothing frustrates a bowler more than picking up singles where there shouldn't be one or turning 1s into 2s imo

I agree with this - you don't need to turn yourself into someone who has 3 shots for every ball in my view (it will only confuse).

Putting the other side under pressure isn't about dominating them, it is about pushing them out of their zone by frustrating them and then enjoying the bad balls they bowl at you.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 10:40:33 AM
I'll see if I can find Simmy's little video and take a look.

Yes, watching 2 lightening fast runners is fun as they steal singles etc BUT all too often I've noticed that a clean pick up/direct hit and they are out. Do I really have to go down the risky road to put teams under pressure? I'm more of a 'why risk it' type of batsmen but if that really is the only way then maybe it's something I should look to do later in the season.

That's mainly why I want to dominate them Buzz, once I can put them off a little or frustrate them, they start to bowl their 'wicket ball' or 'variations', which most of the time mean it's a hit-a-ble ball (or so good that I leave/block). I'm just trying to work out how I can improve. Always looking to improve if I can :)
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Simmy on June 20, 2013, 10:47:42 AM
think its this one lads

Ian Bell v Off Spinedit.avi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IwFzuqPirc#)
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: uknsaunders on June 20, 2013, 10:48:43 AM
I agree with this - you don't need to turn yourself into someone who has 3 shots for every ball in my view (it will only confuse).

Don't be so literal Buzz! I was talking more about being able to work the ball around into different areas  :) . Nothing wrong with a wide shot range if you select and execute them well (which most of us don't I hasten to add!). Simply being able to play off your legs makes a huge difference to your scoring rate.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ajmw89 on June 20, 2013, 10:48:54 AM
I always used to think dominating the bowling was about smashing the bowlers around the park.  I've come to realise that this does not work for me, but trying to nick tight singles, whilst risky, puts them under as much if not more pressure.
A bowler will want to bowl 4/5 balls an over at the same batsman.  If you continually rotate the strike, he'll get frustrated and put under pressure because you can't be set up as easily.  A quick single is less risky than a big shot IMO.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Simmy on June 20, 2013, 10:49:52 AM
leg spin

Ian Bell v Off Spinedit.avi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IwFzuqPirc#)
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 20, 2013, 10:52:08 AM
Cheers Simmy.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Karl_27 on June 21, 2013, 11:00:24 AM
I'll see if I can find Simmy's little video and take a look.

Yes, watching 2 lightening fast runners is fun as they steal singles etc BUT all too often I've noticed that a clean pick up/direct hit and they are out. Do I really have to go down the risky road to put teams under pressure? I'm more of a 'why risk it' type of batsmen but if that really is the only way then maybe it's something I should look to do later in the season.

That's mainly why I want to dominate them Buzz, once I can put them off a little or frustrate them, they start to bowl their 'wicket ball' or 'variations', which most of the time mean it's a hit-a-ble ball (or so good that I leave/block). I'm just trying to work out how I can improve. Always looking to improve if I can :)

I believe that there are very little fielders at this level that if you push the ball a yard or two either side of them and have a positive early call that can get round pick the ball up cleanly and set themselves to throw down the stumps on most occasions to run you out. I fancy my chances and if they do run you out then you have to say well fielded however I think this would happen once a season at most. I would take that one run out a season against the number of extra runs you will get. Also if a fielder has to dive realistically there is a single if you go early enough as they will have to first field it cleanly before then setting themselves to throw. So in general I think it is about needing positive early calls and trusting your partner to just put your head down and go.

Sorry if this is confusing, struggled to put my thoughts into words but just my opinion
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 21, 2013, 11:03:56 AM
I believe that there are very little fielders at this level that if you push the ball a yard or two either side of them and have a positive early call that can get round pick the ball up cleanly and set themselves to throw down the stumps on most occasions to run you out. I fancy my chances and if they do run you out then you have to say well fielded however I think this would happen once a season at most. I would take that one run out a season against the number of extra runs you will get. Also if a fielder has to dive realistically there is a single if you go early enough as they will have to first field it cleanly before then setting themselves to throw. So in general I think it is about needing positive early calls and trusting your partner to just put your head down and go.

Sorry if this is confusing, struggled to put my thoughts into words but just my opinion

No, not confusing at all. I know people do just risk it but I suppose I assume the worst so don't risk it. I might try it out later in the season and see what happens. If I get run out (or nearly) a few times then I will just not do it. I know what people mean by 'positive running', just don't like taking the risks as it's easy enough as it is to gift my wicket away :(
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Byo on June 21, 2013, 11:06:38 AM
There will always be an element of risk whichever method you choose when looking to up the scoring rate - if there wasnt then we would all be doing it!!!  Sometimes you have to take the risk for the sake of the team...
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: Karl_27 on June 21, 2013, 11:13:40 AM
Even if it is close though surely if you make it then it is a good run, or at least in my eyes it is.

And just things like targeting certain fielders which you fancy to take on or not. Plus if you start running ones to fielders and such then they will be forced with the dilemma of coming in closer which may then mean that there are more opportunities to pierce the field or less risk in going up and over so a combination of good running may then limit thee risk involved of bigger shots.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: acko109 on June 21, 2013, 02:11:23 PM
leg spin

Ian Bell v Off Spinedit.avi ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IwFzuqPirc#[/url])
Thats offspin again mate
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on June 21, 2013, 08:20:48 PM
Right. I've just spent about 3 hours netting and set up a large outer net with 'fielders' and trained just tipping and running etc. I'll try and incorporate it into my game over the season and see wht happens. See if it gets me some runs, puts the bowlers off a bit or I just plain get out. I'll try and spent 4 or 5 hours a week on drills to help with this over the next month or so and see what happens. Work on it properly over teh winter
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: LDifa on June 21, 2013, 11:01:34 PM
How many people actually look straight at fielders to see where they are , rather than looking at gaps when they go out to bat?
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: stevat on June 21, 2013, 11:44:04 PM
How many people actually look straight at fielders to see where they are , rather than looking at gaps when they go out to bat?
Says something about your mentality that.  Looking to survive - you look where not to hit the ball (so where the fielders are), looking to be aggressive and score you look for where to hit the ball.  Small difference in semantics, but a huge difference in mentality - I always favour the latter, especially as I only tend to play limited overs cricket.
Title: Re: Moving batting onto another level
Post by: ammo on June 21, 2013, 11:59:23 PM
I found the best way to increase scoring rate is to look for singles rather than boundaries,
(In every 10 balls if you get 3 singles, 3 two's and 1 four its 13 runs)