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[ianbuchanan]

I've opened the batting for the past 3 or so years, but the guy who's most likely to be captain next year thinks I should bat at 5 or 6.

I batted at 6 in one game this year and scored just 4.... I went out and felt really uncomfortable facing a medium-pacer and spinner. So this may sound a bit stupid, but what should I do differently when batting lower down?

Any tips would be helpful, what sort of stuff should I work on in the winter?

Cheers in advance.

[golders]

What kind of batter are you Ian?what are the possible skippers reasons for batting you at five or 6? and how did you do opening the batting this year average wise etc?

[400notout]

Batting lower down is pretty difficult comparing it to opening when you know you could be facing first ball. Whereas at 6 say you could be in at 35 for 4 after 10 overs, or 260 for 4 with 3 balls left etc. You could be facing the openers with an old ball or as you say a medium pacer and a spinner. It's a difficult position as there are so many different situations to give an exact answer. Basically, I would try to practise lots of different situations in the nets if possible and work on hitting gaps, because in any situation especially middle overs rotating the strike early on and throughout your innings is essential.

[ianbuchanan]

I'm kind of a pinch-hitter really... basically hit from ball one lol

My average was only around 20, but got the team off to a flyer 4-5 times in the season i.e 40-50 runs on the board in 8-10 overs.....

[ianbuchanan]

Batting lower down is pretty difficult comparing it to opening when you know you could be facing first ball. Whereas at 6 say you could be in at 35 for 4 after 10 overs, or 260 for 4 with 3 balls left etc. You could be facing the openers with an old ball or as you say a medium pacer and a spinner. It's a difficult position as there are so many different situations to give an exact answer. Basically, I would try to practise lots of different situations in the nets if possible and work on hitting gaps, because in any situation especially middle overs rotating the strike early on and throughout your innings is essential.

Thanks some good points there, I think my best bet is to practice situations in the nets as you said.  Cheers

[Buzz]

As I see it, the two main problems with batting down the order are waiting to bat and getting a decent chance. Mentally you will need to be able to adjust to watching people bat (which can be enormously frustrating - I find it relatively difficult watching and waiting to bat) or being strong enough to go out to bat at 20-3, play a few big shots to knck the confidence from the bowler and then knuckle down to build a big innings. Largely I agree with what 400no said.

Personally my view is that in League cricket you want to aim to be batting in the top 3 as it gives you the best chance of a big knock. My suggestion is that you try hard to change the guys mind and show in the winter nets that you are learning to build an innings. I also think that having a stroke player at the top if the innings is essential even if only comes off one in 4 innings - you just need a number 3 who understands the deal. 

Also ignore what new captains say in October, it will all have changed by April, I get told each season that I should be batting at 5 and come the start of the season I am opening again.   

[Talisman]

Our opener switched to 5 in the line up and had his best ever season, scoring a double century and topped the total runs scored and average in the league in the process. He was better switching as he is a very forceful batsman, he tries to hit the first ball back over the batsman head but against the better bowlers and a new ball can end up getting a swift 20 and nothing more. We found that he didn't go quite as hard straight away and built up a head of steam lower in the order.

I agree that in limited overs the top 3 have a big chance to get a decent score but it is a team game and there are plenty of opportunities lower down, runs scored there can propel you back up the order if that's where you want to be.

[uknsaunders]

I aways reckoned batting 6-9 knocked 10 runs off your batting average in league cricket for the situations already described. I wouldn't beat yourself up if you struggle, after opening a long time. I would suggest you look more to work the ball around,rather than hit the ball - more often than not the pace has been taken off the ball and the field set deeper.

[RoCo Da Pixie]

I have opened the batting all my cricket career, and i must admit if i was asked to bat down the order, I would not feel at ease, Considering i prep myself an hour or so before the game to get into the mindset to open the batting and face that new ball on a pitch where you dont know whats going on,

If i was to drop down i feel i would not be as beneficial to the team, As my temperment in batting is one of building an innings over 40 overs, Not a 20 over dash towards the end,

Also Buzz is right, Whatever the new captain says now will change come the new season,

[mdl_1979]

I went from opening the batting for my Saturday team, to going in at 4/5.  I have found the transition somewhat difficult as I have opened all my life.  But the feeling amongst the senior players was that I would have more freedom to express myself batting down the order than at the top.  It's difficult as I'm still opening on Sundays, so have two very distinct roles.

[ianbuchanan]

Cheers for the help guys, it seems like a lot of people have been in the same boat as I am in now!

I would ideally like to carry on opening the batting so I guess I'll have to prove to the skipper that I'm up to the job..... I'm sure talking it over with him and a few pints will do the job!

[Buzz]

Indeed - something you may want to think about when in the nets is what I posted elsewhere on the site about opening the batting, which I think could help you. The reason I say this now is so that when you start netting you get used to playing yourself in in the nets, before you start throwing the bat. So for example try not to play a big shot until you have faced 12 balls - which would be approximately 4 overs in the middle (assuming equal strike rotation, which never happens - I always try to hog the strike early on (oops should I admit that?))

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

well done - your first ton is one to treasure - actually in 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 pavilion at 1103 on more than one occasion, giving it away when you are in form is the worst crime a batsman can commit.

[RoCo Da Pixie]

Indeed - something you may want to think about when in the nets is what I posted elsewhere on the site about opening the batting, which I think could help you. The reason I say this now is so that when you start netting you get used to playing yourself in in the nets, before you start throwing the bat. So for example try not to play a big shot until you have faced 12 balls - which would be approximately 4 overs in the middle (assuming equal strike rotation, which never happens - I always try to hog the strike early on (oops should I admit that?))

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 pavilion at 1103 on more than one occasion, giving it away when you are in form is the worst crime a batsman can commit.

I think hogging the strike is good, I try to do it as much as possible if its a difficult track, As i like to take the pressure on of nurdling runs about

[Liam-SCCC]

looking for a run a ball is key. If its not there for the boundary then look for the gaps and run hard!

a good ball doesn't have to be a dot ball, just work it around