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[123*]

Hi guy's I've had a really good start to the season; and the last week I have been quality (not being big headed but feel like this is my first big season in the runs) anyway last week I had my highest score however the next day I went in and felt like I could smash from ball one and subsequently only got a few run's how can I combat this? I'm relatively now to all this opening business and feel like I'm best when I'm aggressive and play my straight 6 shot down the ground however I feel like because I'm opening I should play proper i.e. hit singles and accumulate, what should I do? Cheers

[Coach]

Its just learning to score big scores, sounds silly but so far you have learnt to play shots not to score big runs, it will take you a while to get used to scoring runs and how to do that, judgement of risks plays a huge part in this, experience is the answer

[123*]

Its just learning to score big scores, sounds silly but so far you have learnt to play shots not to score big runs, it will take you a while to get used to scoring runs and how to do that, judgement of risks plays a huge part in this, experience is the answer

So what you saying mate I should pull my attacking instincts in or keep going with the way I'm playing?

[peplow]

i am like that however havent even made a big score. i just have no patience and think score score score, even premeditating where im gonna hit the ball to score runs! i just cant stop doing it either!

[c1arkie]

Depends what both you and your captain want.

Personally I had my best season in terms of total runs in an aggressive opening role, but I was never content with making them with two or three failures followed by a massive score. It's inherently risky business, but if that is what the team wants from you then its doable - you just have to take the rough with the smooth as one week you'll tan the cover off it and get off to a flyer and the next you might nick off straight away doing very little different.

I now miss out on the massive scored afforded by a blazing start having adapted my style, but I contribute more on a weekly basis to my team winning so Im happy with that.

Like a lot of the stuff posted on here, its down to you and your situation. If you are confident going out there and playing with controlled aggression then do it, but there are things you have to learn to put up with - there are reasons why the majority of opening bats at any level dont play like this.

[Cakes]

i would play yourself in, but more than you would normally, wait until your on about 30 or so then start bringing the attacking shots into play?

[shill]

Try to work out the bowlers for about an over or so and pick on the bad balls so that when you need to play aggressively you are set.
It depends on who you are batting with as well.
If you are batting with someone who is playing aggressive you might want to take your time and just switch strike otherwise if you are batting with someone who is content to just accumulate you could play more aggressive.

[123*]

The main problem I face is that I play at well not the best standard and most of the bowlers are dibbly dobblies; where I really do well is against the better teams who have pace on the ball to work with; when I have that pace I can hit for fun it's playing those stupid medium's!

[peplow]

same boat as me mate, and its definately a sinking boat! hate slow swing bowling on the dot, just cant play it...

[Cakes]

i think the trick is to be patient, boring i know but slogging is just what the opposition captain wants

[Buzz]

This is what I wrote in a different topic...

well done - your first ton is one to treasure - actually im my book every 100 is one to treasure. The second one is just as hard because when you go out to bat you have to remember to start again on 0. Mark Ramprakash is the master of this.
Cricket is a great leveller - make sure you work really hard for you first 20 runs next time you bat, don't take anything for granted so that second one can come as soon as possible!!

You may not have got a hundred, but the message is the same, especially as an opening batsman, if you feel full of confidence and form fantastic, but the important thing is that the scoreboard says you start on 0 and you must play yourself in, it is a new day.
Work hard, try to reign yourself in for the first 5 or 6 overs, give yourself 20 mins or so to get used to the new conditions. Remember with the new ball a good one can come along at any time, but after 5 or 6 overs just by hitting the bad balls and working the singles you should be on 15-20 and back in the groove and really well set. Then look to build your innings ten runs at a time, or 5 overs at a time. If you bat for 40 overs you can score a huge hundred, but to do so you need to break your runs down... 10 blocks of 10 - remember you are there for the long hall as an opener.
Trust me as someone who has opened the batting at 11am for an all day game and been back in the pavillion at 1103 on more than one occaision, giving it away when you are in form is the worst crime a batsman can commit.