Topic: Starting your innings against spinners (Read 17814 times)

Buzz · « **on:** May 05, 2011, 11:43:58 AM »

Todays technical batting question is for those middle order players on how they approach the first few overs when they walk out to bat and they are faced with 2 spinners.

My view is that this summer we will see more spinners playing as sides look to bowl their overs faster, also batsman are not used to walking out to bat with fielders around the bat and the overseas spinner giving it a rip.

And before anyone asks, I have no easy solution, I just suggest to players they need to trust their technique against spin and ensure they move their feet will and don't go "hard" at the ball with their hands - but this is easy to type, but not easy to put into practice when you walk out to bat at 120-3 in the 27th over knowing you need to get 250+ inside your 50 overs...

what are people's views?

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:06:22 PM »

Early on in an innings I think it's very important to play with the spin and not against it and to try and be as positive as you can without taking silly risks. I look to score regularly in ones and two's, putting a bit of pressure back on to the bowler. Think your right about the foot movement too, good footwork is probably a key attribute. Fact is, if the spinner is that good then most are going to struggle as it is a real talent to be able to play them well and even some of the best players have problems.

Playing the ball as late as possible is one thing I have been told by an ECB coach but that requires more talent than I have!

uknsaunders · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:08:59 PM »

I tend to think a bit of watching and a quick chat with the outgoing batsman are important ie. know what the spinners are bowling before you get out there and the pace of the wicket ie. big turn, low/slow wicket etc

I generally take a bit of a look in the first few overs and restrict my shot selection to cutting/sweeping - shots I consider safe on most decks to bad balls that pitch. Looking "busy" is vital and trying to move the field by pinching singles is vital to ensure you don't get bogged down. It's easier said than done, but playing with the spin and nudging an offie towards square leg is one way of doing it - just depends on the batters preferred shots.

Once I've seen all the tricks and worked out the angles of each spinner, I re-assess and decide how best to attack the spinner. If he flights it but fairly slow then getting down the pitch is an option. Likewise a flatter spinner may be easier to drive or late cut. Big spin requires more crease play but can open up the lap sweep if the guy has to bowl it outside off.

tommy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:24:19 PM »

Watch the ball/hand/fingers - From the hand, in the air and off the pitch. The earlier you see the behaviour the better but we can�t all read all the variations. If you at are the non-strikers end do not miss an opportunity to watch all the bowler�s tricks from close up!

Utilise the forward press. Have a solid base to play from -A half step forward towards the ball just before release. Hold your body shape and balance. Get onto the front foot as the ball is about to be released, to push forward or back depending on flight and length. Stay light on your feet.

Higher backlift, slower downswing. Keep the head still

Keep the ball on the ground. Assess the conditions/bowler/field placings/match situation. Play with good intent to score, don�t get bogged down, this plays into the bowler and captains� hands.You may have to take some calculated risks but look to be positive and put the pressure back on the opposition. Part of any game plan would be to rotate the strike. This keeps the scoreboard moving and does not allow the bowler to bowl to a plan. For example, you may go over the top (straight). The captain could put a man back and you can then milk the singles to that position.

Should pay more attention to my own advice as was out to a pie chucker on Saturday.

Johnny · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:26:11 PM »

I play a low enough standard to know that any spinner will either bowl at least 1 crap ball an over, or otherwise, are not really moving the ball anyway, so it makes it easier to trust your technique.

I have played at ECB premier league standard against various international spinners - safe to say it was mostly a case of me having all the gear and no idea! (although I did once play a somewhat spectacular late cut for four to Raul Lewis' quicker ball)

roco · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:28:24 PM »

Very rare I go out against spinners batting at 3 but treat them as any other bowler tbh I know my scoring areas and use them not going to say too much as there is an opposition spinner on here

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:36:48 PM »

its all about your technique and your shot selection/ shot strengths. all the previous posts pretty much sum up how i play spinners. I bat 3 so dont always go out to face a spinner first up (depends how good our openers have started) I use the forward press but have a habit of going hard at the ball early on so i try and relax, play late with the spin, wait for the bad ball and in between push and nurdle the ball around. once you have the pace and have seen a decent amount of deliveries then its easier to bring out the slog sweep or get down the track with more confidence. I am a bit of a sweep addict. It can be used to put the bowler of their lengths and rotate the strike well just depends on which sweep you play. As much as i like slog sweeping it for 4 sometimes the paddle is just that bit safer and gives better results

Johnny · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:37:44 PM »

I can't play the sweep

Number4 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:39:21 PM »

You just need to play your strengths..Don't play shots that you can't play with confidence

Buzz · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:40:14 PM »

Quote from: Johnny Firefly on May 05, 2011, 12:37:44 PM

I can't play the sweep

I can't play the sweep either, unless the ball is going to be a low full toss. I tried to play the sweep to a ball on sat, I embarrassed myself it was such an woeful waft.

I think there are some good thoughts here so far - keep them coming!

mdl_1979 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:46:00 PM »

I had an interesting one as an opening bat last Saturday. The oppo opened with an offie with the new ball, and he was fairly handy. I just sat in and waited for the bad ball, but not many were forthcoming. Was an interesting problem to deal with, and not one I see very often.

roco · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:47:43 PM »

The sweep is my best shot to the spinners whether for one or 4/6 it's my get out of jail shot if nothing else is working

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:50:21 PM »

we get the odd spinner opening too. Must admit as a club we have done it a few times and its worked well. Surprising how many openers just panic. Look at strauss in the world cup. Looked like he had never seen a spinner before.

Colesy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:52:37 PM »

Nothing too complicated for me. At our standard mid off and mid on will more than likely be back for a spinner so I normally knock it down the ground for 1. If the spinner is giving it a rip then I'd bat on leg for a leg spinner and off for an off spinner to play with the spin and also takes lbw out the equation.

Seeing as I bowl legspin myself I love batsman coming down the pitch as I turn it alot. Also batsman at my level don't tend to pick variation so of my 8 wickets this season, around 3 or 4 have been taken with wrong 'uns. Should the batsman pick me I bowl any variation less often and concentrate on the stock ball. I know that flight is possibly more threatening against someone who can pick me as they will get bored and go big against something tossed up.

That's how I roll anyways. Always good to pick up some stuff from other forumites though.

Johnny · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2011, 01:56:42 PM »

...surprisingly I can play the reverse sweep pretty effectively

Author Topic: Starting your innings against spinners (Read 17814 times)

Buzz

Starting your innings against spinners

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

uknsaunders

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

tommy

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Johnny

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

roco

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Red Ink Cricket

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Johnny

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Number4

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Buzz

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

mdl_1979

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

roco

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Red Ink Cricket

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Colesy

Re: Starting your innings against spinners

Johnny

Re: Starting your innings against spinners