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[norman1979]

Over the last few games, I have been having a hard time controlling my natural instincts and getting out cheaply when new to the crease.
I am quite strong leg side, anything on the legs or short tends to get dispatched. Last week my first two balls at the crease were on my legs and were dispatched. The third ball was a very full delivery into my legs which I stupidly tried to paddle/sweep and it bowled me off the inside of my left leg.

Weekend just gone I got an absolute horrid delivery. Short tracker by a spinner on my 3rd deliver. I rocked back ready to pull the ball and it kept low and I got bowled. Perhaps I should have tried to play a defensive straight batted shot?

Having a think over the weekend, I was thinking its abit of a flaw in my game. I should play straight when new at the crease and get a feel of the conditions. What helps you chaps 'get your eye in' and actually try to hold back?

[jamferg]

I repeat to myself ' I will not get out to this ball'  over and over before every delivery... it does work

[alexhilly1492]

Don't take your strengths out of you game all together, maybe for the first few overs play a bit straighter but still out the bad ball away, of its short pull it but if there's doubt then defend you can't score runs say watching from the pavilion, having said that don't block every ball until you feel in form as one will have toe name on

[Mpt7]

Don't lose your strengths as then you will only have weaknesses.

3rd ball in can happen to anyone don't focus on it.

have a early game plan - shots you want to use early up that you are comfortable with, low risk and will help get your game sorted for the fun later.

most important point -  when you bat, bat with positivity and fun. Enjoy batting otherwise what's the point.

good luck - go bang a ton at the weekend!!

[felix]

I think a lot of it is about playing according to the conditions and giving yourself a bit of time to acclimatise. We have a Saffa playing for our 3s (a bit below his ability), who's used to playing off the back foot on rock-hard tracks. On Saturday we played on an awful council rec on which the ball was alternately keeping low or stopping, so playing his favourite pull shot was fraught with danger, like you found by the sound of it.  He got away with a couple early on while I was umpiring (after my early failure  ) however after a chat from his partner managed to discipline himself, kept the shot in the locker and went onto an outstanding 100.

[OllieWalker39]

I like to think I'm a good bat - open the batting and have had many comments on my rather nice technique and always scoring "proper" runs...

This year I've been out for two ducks (one my own fault for being horrendously hungover, and one was a jaffa); seems to be that at the minute I'm getting more good balls. I don't mind being out to a good ball. That's the idea of the game. In that situation, continue with how you play, as it's not a fault with your game (ball pitched middle - middle/off and nibbled the outside of off peg - absolute beauty).

If it's what would be perceived a silly shot (i.e. down on one knee trying to murder a boundary) very early on, then maybe it's worthwhile just taking a step back. As has been said - runs cannot be scored from the pavilion! A ball that full is going to be difficult to sweep early on, as you're relying on being perfectly in behind it - not like it pitches a bit shorter and you've got that split second to adjust if needed.

Just keep plugging away - train hard, play easy!

[Buzz]

There might be a few decent pointers in this thread...

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=8242.msg124908#msg124908

[six and out]

this season i have been working really hard with my teammates to try and teach them more about their 'scoring areas'.

by this i mean know your own strengths but against certain bowlers and in certain conditions you should be looking at scoring at certain areas 1st and foremost - this then eliminates a lot risk at the start of your innings.

for example if you are facing an away swing bowler on a low slow track your scoring area should be from straight mid on round to backward point - playing off the front foot as much as possible. Putting any cross bat shot in the locker.

I think you need to just start start slowly and then use your strengths when they are really required

[norman1979]

Thanks for the kind suggestions.

When I first started playing cricket, I was very much a 'test match player'. I was comfortable with 40 over cricket as I liked to take my time and not give my wicket away cheaply. This was shown on my debut making 48 runs while batting for 33 overs. Obviously I didnt face all of the deliveries but I came to the crease at 12-3 after 7 overs.

More recently, I have been playing 16 over cricket and have started to play a shot every ball. I think its the mentality of swapping between the two formats which has also kind of confused me without actually knowing about it.
I think the temparament in the longer format of the game is just as important as technique and talent. It is quite a difficult thing to train really.

[norman1979]

There might be a few decent pointers in this thread...

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=8242.msg124908#msg124908

Thats a cracking read Buzz. Thanks for sharing.

[The Palmist]

My game is very similar to yours. I have however developed strong defence when the ball is not in  my arc. I tend to wait for anything  marginally short, ready to pounce and if it is  full I just defend. The times I have  tried to drive and loft I got out. Even the best bowlers  will miss the length.

Definitely  stick to your strengths, trying anything  new is for nets.

[TGB1997]

I'm very much an instinct takes over player, I prefer not play on the back foot when possible and naturally want to play more back foot shots, recently I've been practicing putting all my weight on my front foot in my stance trying to get me to naturally come forward, it's worked in the nets but I've not tested it in a game yet