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[GoodLeave]

I've been thinking about my batting this morning, and was wondering if the way I'm going about building my innings is holding me back. I'm not sure why, but I've always looked for milestones to help my progress my score. My procedure is:

1. Don't get out first ball
2. Get off the mark
3. Get to 10
4. Hit a boundary
5. Multiples of 10.

Does anyone else follow a set procedure like this, or do you just play without a "Plan"? I think I may be overthinking my batting if I'm trying to follow the plan all the time... It doesn't bother me too much of the plan doesn't happen in order (Boundary first ball etc) but I get the feeling I'm giving myself too much to do.

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts. Apologies if this has been discussed before, couldn't find a thread.

[northernboy1987]

I always find I bat better when my mind is empty throughout my innings, playing each ball on it's merit. But I'm rubbish so probably don't give the best advice haha

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[WalkingWicket37]

Survive ball 1
Avoid a blob

Job done 

(This does not always happen)

[smilley792]

Set plan is.


First 2 overs look to see what the price is doing, and if the bowler is moving it.

Then I have two options.

Bowler and or pitch not doing much, I'll look to go over the top with anything over pitched.
Once men are out I then look to push for a two to the out men.
I then inevitable get bored and take them on for the six.


Bowler and or pitch doing interesting things. I then give myself 6 overs, 3 to each bowler and then I start to go over the top regardless.

If there's a change of bowler. Especially spin, I like to put them off there game ball one, which can be a reverse sweep switch hit, or just a massive charge.



My main aim is to make as many runs as fast as possible!!

Oh and I also count my runs, so I know what I'm on while out there(made easier now by our scoreboard giving bats men's score)

[Northern monkey]

Hopefully I smash first ball past the bowlers ear for four or six, then I'm cooking
Unless i play all around an inswinging Yorker , which does happen way to much

I think most batters set themselves milestones , especially fifties and tons
I tend to try and get the opening bowlers taken off, driving their best balls for four usually does that
Then get into the pie chuckers, but that's when I'm usually out

[FattusCattus]

I'm afraid I don't understand the post.  What is this 'building an innings ' you speak of? ☺

Seriously though,  don't over think it. Treat every ball on it's merits  and get to 10.

Do as I say, not as I do!

[ppccopener]

Good thread,I don't remember it being discussed before so well done.

Got stuck with this myself last year,generally look to stay in Uptop against the new ball,the problem is of course you do the hard bit then can be out from one mistake,so no problem but many times get out for 10 which is rubbish.
Then the middle order get runs against an old ball with tired bowlers and you get frustrated have 'built' a bit of an innings while others smash it and get their own score moving.halfway thru the season you haven't got enough runs and get demoted down or dropped.thats the danger of trying to get yourself in-or building.

So I can't give you any decent advice-sorry....but this is what I'm going to do every game this season:-
If it's straight and going to hit my stumps block the beejesus out of it nick comptonlike
If it's in my area short wide or over pitched hit it as far and as hard as I can regardless of first over or last.

So forgetting about building an innings as such.
Others may however give some better advice...

[Batbuddy99]

I just see where the ball is pitching, and decide if I will hit it over cover, the bowlers head or cow
Then I get out for 0!


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[GoodLeave]

Got stuck with this myself last year,generally look to stay in Uptop against the new ball,the problem is of course you do the hard bit then can be out from one mistake,so no problem but many times get out for 10 which is rubbish.

I think this may be where I'm going wrong, perhaps my milestone should be "Stay in" rather than a rigid set of rules. That way I can't think too much about "achieving" the milestone if there's no way of knowing when I've achieved it. It's when I get close to the milestone that I get out, I.e. Trying to go over the top for that 4 that'll take me to 30, spooning it down covers throat.

Perhaps a few, bigger milestones is the way. Off the mark, 50, 100.

[Seniorplayer]

Always have a plan always play a safe shot to get off the mark for 1 and will wait for the right ball to do so even if i have to leave the ball prepared to wait until  the bowler bowls  in my areas never play any shots at the start of the inning  till the ball is hitting the middle of the bat and I know I am in if i cant score get to the other end  The longer At the crease the better we bat and the runs start to come only look at the scoreboard at 5 over intervals  and then assess as an opener see off the opposition bowlers and never worry about my own score and always back myself.

[jjohns]

My best innings have always been when I've not really thought about it to much. I remember my first ever 50, we were chasing 260 or 280 and I was batting at 4 but we had a tail starting from 5 that game. Once the top 3 were out and number 5 came in we were maybe 80 for 3 I was not on many and I knew we didn't really have any other batsmen to come so I told the guy don't worry about anything, just try and stay out here as long as possible. We put on over  100 together I eventually got out for 76 but it was the first time I was batting without pressure.

Normally I'm over thinking everything and also tend to have a bit of a negative mind set like sometimes I'll usually just go out with the target of outscoring whatever the lowest score is so far, just so I can say at least I wasn't the worst batsmen in our team.

[Buzz]

Nice topic, a few thoughts that are in my book here...

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