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[WalkingWicket37]

Hi all

Following my first stint under the lid last weekend I realised I wasn't very good at it!
I was fielding at suicide cover and overt time there was a half volley/drive ball I was turning my back and covering my head (even though I had a lid on!)

Is there anything I can do to keep myself more still while fielding close in inder a lid? My instinct and reflexes are working well "there's a hard ball about to be hit at me, get out the way & protect your head/face) but that won't help me take any catches!

Any tips?

I was slightly better at bat pad to a spinner, but still shat myself if the batsmen lined up a big sweep/slog as I wouldn't have time to get out the way!

[TangoWhiskey]

Hi all

Following my first stint under the lid last weekend I realised I wasn't very good at it!
I was fielding at suicide cover and overt time there was a half volley/drive ball I was turning my back and covering my head (even though I had a lid on!)

Is there anything I can do to keep myself more still while fielding close in inder a lid? My instinct and reflexes are working well "there's a hard ball about to be hit at me, get out the way & protect your head/face) but that won't help me take any catches!

Any tips?

I was slightly better at bat pad to a spinner, but still shat myself if the batsmen lined up a big sweep/slog as I wouldn't have time to get out the way!

I have spent a lot of time under the lid this year. I got pinned about 5 balls into my first stint in the thigh. Was sore but not as bad as I thought it would be, so now I just focus on keeping forward and refusing to duck and cover. Haven't been pinned since, it actually happens very rarely. I find a good way of doing it is to watch the front pad. If it goes forward, you're in the game. If it goes back, turn sideways to present less of a target but keep watching in case of a mishit creating a chance. Your head is the best protected part of you so don't duck and cover, you'll always miss the chance if you've buried your head in your arms.

[benny231]

Want the ball. Look at a guy like Brendon McCullum. He gets as close as he can and stays front on as long as he can. Want the ball to come to you. If you are worried about getting hit you'll never do well in close. If you're in close on the off side, chances are you're there because the pitch is popping, so the bowler will be looking to draw the batsman into a drive. If you are worried about getting hit every time the batsman lines up to drive, there is no point in you being there.

Basically, as hard as it may be, you just have to back yourself in there. If not, get someone else with less brains to do it!!

Also, the batsman may try to hit you out of that position. THIS IS GOOD. He is more likely to give a chance if he is focusing on pinning you in once certain position as he'll go searching for this shot. So get under his skin while you're in there!

[Stuey]

I used to field in close and still occassionally do. My bro opens the bowling in our ones and once put me at suicide point! Unfortunately I took a catch and so have revisited a few times, probably my most terrifying time in cricket! 
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and not too wide a stance so you can move left and right, stay low and watch the ball and good luck:)

[WalkingWicket37]

I want the ball don't get me wrong, I just didn't appreciate the bowler feeling half volleys lol, felt a bit nervous about that! 

[smilley792]

Your there to catch inside edge to pad floaters. Not screaming half volleys (if one sticks then woohoo)

If the bowler is bowling half trackers then you want to question why your captain has you there and not as a sweeper on the boundary.

No shame in covering up when it's creamed at you.

[WalkingWicket37]

Your there to catch inside edge to pad floaters. Not screaming half volleys (if one sticks then woohoo)

If the bowler is bowling half trackers then you want to question why your captain has you there and not as a sweeper on the boundary.

No shame in covering up when it's creamed at you.

If one of the ones creamed at me sticks I would know nothing about it or how it happened haha!

[mdg20]

dont see an issue with turning your back to half volleys - exactly the same if youre at short leg and you see the ball pitch half way down the track you hit the deck and hope the batsmen doesnt get you. You arnt there to field rubbish balls, your there for the popped catch and that alone.

[WalkingWicket37]

My new best mate likes my thread clearly...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10204639114966668&id=1499019611

[WalkingWicket37]

Excellent use of the English language and an even better understanding of sarcasm.
Oh James