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[NT50]

So on only my third game of cricket on Sunday i shall be doing two completely alien roles and would appreciate any advice!

My first two games i've opened the bowling as apparently 3 of our bowlers have been away, and i feel i've done ok. However, our keeper is not playing as he needs to revise for exams, so as i play in goal it's been decided i'll keep for the day. I tried it in training and i've only dropped one or two from a 2 hour session, so i feel pretty confident doing it. However, i need a few little bits of advice as i've never really watched 'keepers that closely to get tips. My footwork is absolutely fine (comes from years of being in goal!) but despite knowing i'm meant to take the ball with 'soft hands' i have a habit of snatching at the ball and making it sting my palms. How do i try and get out of the habit of snatching and just 'ride' the ball into my gloves?

With opening the batting, i've come in at 6 and 7 so far, making 14 and 8 respectively. Although that's not really a true reflection as both times i've needed to try and score very quickly to bring our total up. In the nets i'm a decent blocker and always score off bad balls. When i open, how do i pace myself? Do i only offer a shot to the bad balls, and just block everything on the stumps? (We play on the only astro wicket in the Hunts League if that's of any help)

Thanks!

[ProCricketer1982]

Block and leave the good balls, leave what you can. Pick off anything leg side and destroy any half volleys or short balls. Aka 'bad' balls. If you do that you'll score at 60 or more off 100 balls which is more than enough opening. Unless you're a slogger sent in to just have a go at anything

[simonmay5]

Keeping is totally different to goal keeping footwork is key and when standing up stay low and watch the ball not the batsmen and just keep your hand nice and soft watch the ball into the gloves .if you're struggling standing up take a step back so you don't let to many extras though 

[NT50]

@ProCricketer1982 I'm ok with short balls, the cut is probably my favourite shot so no worries with that one! Presumably a half volley is one that i can hit just after it bounces? if so i'm a bit dodgy with them, i have a habit of turning my bat for some reason. Also with stuff down leg, 49/50 ill put away, but if it pitches higher up than my hip, i tend to chip it straight to leg gully, any suggestions?

@simonmay5 Footwork is also the most important thing in goalkeeping, i'm always in the right place to take the catch when standing back ( even if it's down leg barely on the wicket) but just tend to snatch!