Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: Lefthook on November 23, 2010, 12:27:45 PM
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I'll be joining a club hopefully this year, and I haven't batted in years. I do remember however that as an opening batsman I had two of the worst flaws imaginable for an opener:
1) As the bowler ran up to the crease, I would say to myself - "concentrate, concentrate" but as soon as I tried to get myself to concentrate, I began thinking of the least appropriate thing imaginable! A "what if I had an afro?" or "I wonder how the bowler takes his tea?" Seriously, at the point of release, I wasn't even thinking about the ball, but thinking about NOT thinking about things I shouldn't be thinking about!
2) Temptation! I nudged and nurdled a fair bit, and as long as I could get a single I was happy. HOWEVER, (and I don't exaggerate here) if a mere TWO balls flew past the edge, my blood would begin to boil. I would start to shake! I would try to heave the next ball for a six (yes, a six, not even a four) because the two dot balls before were a slight to my honour and an insult to my skill!
Of course, the two traits mentioned above meant that I was rarely there by the time the 10th over came about.
How good are you at concentrating? How good are you at accepting that there will be slow patches during the innings? And after how many dot balls does the pressure begin to build for you?
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this is a cracking question.
start by reading some of th comments here http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=8242.0
and after lunch, if I have time, I will suggest a few pointers... :)
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I always find switching off between balls and overs don't over concentrate as it hurts learn to relax as much as possible
Plus I discuss those kind of questions between overs as helps to relax if you ask them your batting partner
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I tend to have a swish early on and as long as I'm safe after that, I can stay at the crease and not worry about how fast I'm scoring, or hear any noise from the wickie. Always nice to make sure that you can live with the pressure! Just play each ball as it comes when I'm at that point.
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I tend to say to myself 'watch the ball , watch the ball, move your feet' over and over. This for me keeps my concentration.(+ the fact I only where gloves, box and padsmakes me watch the ball even harder)
I used to get agitated if I didn't hit the ball & usually ended up throwing my wicket away. My captain this year said to me after the first game when i tried smashing a wide ball after 4 dot balls & got caught out that i should play my innings however I want to, but remember it is my wicket to throw away. After that game I had my best season this year by getting myself in.
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Rather than concentrate, Try - 'watch the ball, watch the ball, watch the ball'
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as above! dont over concentrate play every ball on its merit!
if its full smash it if its short rock back and smash it!
if its a good length out side off leave it if its on your stumps and good length just defend it.
cricket is that simple!
allways play to ur strengths
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Haha that's fresh coming from the biggest dirtiest slogger I've ever played with. You don't play anything on it's merit. It's caveman style with simmy. Ug me see ball Ug Ug me hit ball Ug Simon go SMAAASH!!
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On a serious note though I find that talking to yourself can distract as much as aid your concentration. One thing I find helps is chewing gum. But then you risk choking when calling if your not careful.
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Haha that's fresh coming from the biggest dirtiest slogger I've ever played with. You don't play anything on it's merit. It's caveman style with simmy. Ug me see ball Ug Ug me hit ball Ug Simon go SMAAASH!!
ya see the term slogger? to me means hiting everything to cow? i hit everything in the v! lol
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Thanks for replies guys -
I find slightly quicker, orthodox bowlers easier to face quite simply because its a little bit easier to gauge the cadence/rhythm of their bowling stride.
The guys who always, always get me out are the short guys who bowl from about 5 paces, turn their arm over quite quick, and just skid the ball into your stumps ...
I just cannot get into the rhythm there.
But I'll try "watch the ball, move your feet" when it comes to nets.
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I bat best when I'm pissed off! Whether I'm annoyed with my skipper for putting me down the order or there being a collapse or annoyed with a member of the opposition. I find that it really focusses my mind and I self eliminate some of my more dangerous shots. If I go in to relaxed and unfoccussed that's when I get out.
So get yourself angry!!
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I bat best when I'm pissed off! Whether I'm annoyed with my skipper for putting me down the order or there being a collapse or annoyed with a member of the opposition. I find that it really focusses my mind and I self eliminate some of my more dangerous shots. If I go in to relaxed and unfoccussed that's when I get out.
So get yourself angry!!
Like the guy from Dodgeball?!!
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You gotta get angryyyyy!!!!!
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You gotta get angryyyyy!!!!!
Take away the glasses and there is a slight similarity. May I reiterate slight!!
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i'm going to remember that Kenny, next time I play against you I'm going to really realllllllllllly nice ;)
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Probably mentioned this before, distractions do help. My best knocks have come when other things are on my mind. Sometimes you can over think things and concentrate to hard. Your always best not thinking about batting and just doing it.
I tend to take each ball as it comes and between balls talk to myself or the keeper or the slips. Thinking about the team rather than your individual performance helps as well.
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i'm going to remember that Kenny, next time I play against you I'm going to really realllllllllllly nice ;)
I shall look forward to it! Not sure we played against each other this season, fingers crossed for this season. Always welcome to cone to Shippo's nets
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I shall look forward to it! Not sure we played against each other this season, fingers crossed for this season. Always welcome to cone to Shippo's nets
Always keen for a net mate, let me know when they are
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Will do mate, they are at Stratford High, not sure of the exact days tho, will PM nearer the time
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Or facebook me mate
few months yet I'd have thought tho??/
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Sorry, had a busy day.
I do three things - first as the bowler runs in I either say concentrate/Watch the ball/ or "stay still" - this helps
As the bowler runs in I try to pick up the seam of the ball in the bowlers hand as early as possible - usually well before he enters his delivery stride.
Finally if I feel the red mist coming - it is important to stay in control. All batsman get the red mist at some stage. I try and say "respect the bowler" to stay in control. The only thing you can do is concentrate extra hard when you feel the rage hit you...