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[revboy]

I will be opening the batting this season, which I have not done before. My usual position is 4 and have played at 3 a couple of times. I would appreciate if any fellow openers could give me advice on what to expect with the new ball. Thanks

[Colesy]

VaughanCricket Michael Vaughan
@JoeyyColes Work out what shots are good for each surface early.. Always look to score first and defend second..

[Simmy]

opening the batting

Field is usally close and agressive.

go over the top they spread the field pick up the singles

Simples

[coverpoint_pro]

Hya mate, i changed halfway through last year to an opener from 3/4
I enjoy it loads more, yeh the ball might swing a bit and seam but at the same
Time it comes of the bat harder!
Just watch the ball more
Know your scoring shots and play on instinct, just cause it's a new ball doesn't mean it's harder to face, in many ways i find it easier!

Bowlers will tend to ball good balls and get you pinned back, but also they can ball a lot
Of (No Swearing Please)!
Being an opening bowler too, i know ha!

The best advice i can give and i know it sounds
Stupid is that it's not much different from 3 or 4
Just a new ball
That might swing
So just play every ball on merit, and also instinct!
Play your game, not the bowlers

[Buzz]

take as long as you need to play yourself in - the ball is harder and bounces more, so you may need to play with softer hands early on. I tend to give myself five or six overs before I really start playing shots in anger. That doesn't mean you don't hit the bad balls, but you must commit to hitting them 100%. If you are tentative you will nick one.

other than that enjoy the fact you don't have to wait to bat and that there is little pressure on you opening as the bowlers haven't had a chance to get their tails up plus you usually get a few looseners and you have the longest possible time to bat...

In international one day cricket all the best players typically open...

[johan95]

VaughanCricket Michael Vaughan
@JoeyyColes Work out what shots are good for each surface early.. Always look to score first and defend second..

Good shout. I think an important thing to think about when you're opening is that don't worry about your scoring rate if it's that slow. You're there primarily to negotiate the new ball and if the bowling is good the last thing you want is to get yourself out. Usually you can up your scoring rate majorly when your eye is in and when you are more confident.

[Richie]

It is probably the hardest position to bat. The ball will swing and probably seam early on, especially early on this season. Play the ball as late as you can, allowing most of the movement to have happened before you play your shot, thus reducing the chance of edging.
Know your game- only play very high percentage shots early on, this could be anything on your legs, a half volley etc. But refrain from booming drives on the up!
Try to rotate the strike, the non strikers end is your best friend early on, it is pivotal you pick the gaps, even when defending. Oh and try and stay positive even when you are defending. Also try and leave the ball as much as possible, forcing the bowler to try something different, hopefully putting it in your area!

[Simmy]

this is why i am not an opening batter. lol i dont have the patiance to play my self in i just wanna go big and hard straight from the off.

but thats the diffrence between a quick 30 and a solid ingings

[johan95]

Small question here. Rotating the Strike:  I heard about a game my friend played for Herts Uni against Oxford where the openers put on 240 for the 1st wicket in not long.
He mentioned that they were almost dropping and running - would you recommend this technique be used if you were opening with someone who:
a. You had absolute trust in.
b. You knew was capable of running the singles.
As surely this is an excellent way of going at near 6 an over - after that if they come closer it may be easier to hit over the top or to pick gaps as they can cover less..?

[revboy]

Thanks lads much appreciated, very good advice all round

[Tumo]

Small question here. Rotating the Strike:  I heard about a game my friend played for Herts Uni against Oxford where the openers put on 240 for the 1st wicket in not long.
He mentioned that they were almost dropping and running - would you recommend this technique be used if you were opening with someone who:
a. You had absolute trust in.
b. You knew was capable of running the singles.
As surely this is an excellent way of going at near 6 an over - after that if they come closer it may be easier to hit over the top or to pick gaps as they can cover less..?

Your last point is wrong, if they come closer it's harder to pick gaps. They cover more, because they're closer. It's the same principle as a goal-keeper closing down an attacker, if they come out and make themselves big, the striker's got a much harder job than if you're stood back with a big space behind you in which to score.

[100 not out]

Look to leave anything really wide. You must try to survive for the first 10-15 mins. After that phase it becomes easier. Bowlers are fresh and field is up. Try to hit over the top to spread field and then singles open up

[johan95]

Your last point is wrong, if they come closer it's harder to pick gaps. They cover more, because they're closer. It's the same principle as a goal-keeper closing down an attacker, if they come out and make themselves big, the striker's got a much harder job than if you're stood back with a big space behind you in which to score.

Sorry, indeed you're right. Still easier to hit over the top so opens up other options. Some of the fielding in our leagues is shocking so hit it hard and it usually goes through!

[uknsaunders]

Look to leave anything really wide. You must try to survive for the first 10-15 mins. After that phase it becomes easier.

That's called playing yourself in.

[Tumo]

Yeah, pick your fielders. Couple of articles off (for me) the best cricket skills website around, Pitchvision.
http://www.pitchvision.com/tactics-you-should-be-using-tip-and-run
http://www.pitchvision.com/get-on-with-it-3-ways-to-stop-scoring-too-slowly
http://www.pitchvision.com/how-to-be-a-good-starter
http://www.pitchvision.com/how-to-rotate-the-strike

Well, 4, but they're all pretty good articles, helpful on moving the ball around, and getting your strike rate up. From what I've faced against the new ball (been facing them in the nets recently), you just have to watch the ball even more, as it swings/seams.