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[Manormanic]

I never mind that.  Besides, in club cricket, having slips to a spinner is more men that aren't there to stop me working singles around.  Lets face it, there are very few people at that standard who are going to take anything but the biggest dolly in there off a spinner, and most spinners are not good enough to get you to nick one defending...

[ajmw89]

Most spinners at my level usually give you at least one four ball an over.  You just need to be patient and cash in on the bad balls

[trypewriter]

Most spinners at my level usually give you at least one four ball an over.  You just need to be patient and cash in on the bad balls

Very true at my level! 

[ajmw89]

However it always seems to be those 4 balls that take wickets cos you try and smash the granny out of them!

[ItsJustCricket]

I am typically English in that I'm rubbish against spin - one of the reasons I'm a spinner myself! So I hate facing spinners at any time.  I think it's important to be able to play the sweep well against spinners - something I've been working on but no real improvement yet!

[trypewriter]

One thing to remember is that bad balls can get more wickets than good ones

[ajmw89]

I am typically English in that I'm rubbish against spin - one of the reasons I'm a spinner myself! So I hate facing spinners at any time.  I think it's important to be able to play the sweep well against spinners - something I've been working on but no real improvement yet!

The only shot I ever used to play against spinners was the sweep... Now I've focussed and worked on other options, I seem to have forgotten how to play it!

[tushar sehgal]

I use to love playing spinners and faster guys but now with time I have found that I struggle against spinners...most notably 2 seasons ago if I was going well and a spinner (Leggie) came on I was a guranteed wicket... so after doing some work on what works for me and what doesn't i ended up with....

Watch the flight, not the turn, if its going to land anywhere close to where i can get to (including stepping out) then I am going to make it there and either smash it out, play it for a single (rarely) or block it...its a lot easier to block a full toss/half volley then a turning spitting spinner...if its going to be a short one then i have lots of time to play it off the pitch...really bothers them too if they know you are willing to step out...

One thing that i have noticed i did and lot of others do is when they step out is most of them are moving down the leg side direction regardless of where the ball is, always move towards the ball to meet it either on the bounce or full toss...

I haven't swept a spinner in 2 years now, have had a lot more success against them with dancing down the track...

[ajmw89]

I find I can't play anything turning away from me (leg-spin/sla) for toffee, whereas regular offspin isn't so much of a problem

[tushar sehgal]

I find I can't play anything turning away from me (leg-spin/sla) for toffee, whereas regular offspin isn't so much of a problem

Try getting to the ball on the bounce...beware of the dip and drift...lots of practise needed in nets....my team captain is a very very very good leggie so I bowl to him fast outswingers or reverse with tampered ball in nets for hours and in return he bowls be leggies for hours

[uknsaunders]

I am typically English in that I'm rubbish against spin - one of the reasons I'm a spinner myself! So I hate facing spinners at any time.  I think it's important to be able to play the sweep well against spinners - something I've been working on but no real improvement yet!

not sure I agree with that. Cutting is a more useful shot, particular if you can pick length well. It forces the bowler further up to you especially if you can play the cut late and off just short of a good length. Downside of cutting is if you have no pace to work with it's more liable to get you out. That said the pull shot comes in handy against very slow spin, as it becomes alot easier to hit the ball hard into leg than off. Sweep is not much use unless the guy can't bowl straight.

Takes practise but using your feet makes a big difference if you can judge flight.

[uknsaunders]

I find I can't play anything turning away from me (leg-spin/sla) for toffee, whereas regular offspin isn't so much of a problem

anticipate and use the turn to your advantage. Play slightly outside the ball to cover some of the spin if it's full - think of it as getting inside it. If it's short just open yourself up and pull (pitching leg/middle) or cut (off/outside). Be wary of the straight on delivery. I'm guessing you favour the legside?

[trypewriter]

I think the guys that are toughest are the ones (and they are usually wily old birds) who generate a decent loop and have good control over line and length. The ones who can turn it square can give you free shots if they can't get line and length right.

[ajmw89]

anticipate and use the turn to your advantage. Play slightly outside the ball to cover some of the spin if it's full - think of it as getting inside it. If it's short just open yourself up and pull (pitching leg/middle) or cut (off/outside). Be wary of the straight on delivery. I'm guessing you favour the legside?

If it's fuller, I try and get to the pitch, so I can hit it between mid-off and cow, depending on the line.  Anything shorter I usually let it come to me and try to turn it to leg. Long hops are usually hoicked or pulled away if it's straight, or clubbed baseball style if it's a bit wider.  I've lost all confidence in normal cut-shots, and only feel confident playing the late dab

[Manormanic]

I've never liked sweeping - I figure for a tall batsman you spend so long getting down to ground level that you really do have to time everything absolutely perfectly to have any chance of getting the ball in the middle of the bat - and then only for a single or perhaps two.  Nick is right that the cut is a better percentage shot - especially if the ball is going away from you - and I'd add to that the ability to get right back in the crease to work a good length ball with an almost dead bat.