Print

[trypewriter]

I think with me it's maybe the foot movement, if I take a big pace (back foot anchored in the crease) and I'm reaching for the ball, I'm down there anyway - but I'm not the tallest. 

[compstallcc]

playing 40+ over cricket i tend to bat at 5 and i prefer to face some pace on the ball to get my first 10 runs or so but after that id face spinners all day once iv got my eye in

[Jagminder]

If its a bouncy pitch - no sweeping.
If its a turning pitch - try sweeping.
I have a different trigger movement for spinners than to fast bowlers.

Hope it helps.

Jag.

[LDifa]

I love playing against spin, I think the hardest part for batters 3,4,5 is that they can be sat still with a body almost resting, so it is easier to guide a few quick balls away whilst you warm up and get used to the pitch etc.

Whilst we never ever know when we will be required to bat, 2nd ball or 200th ball we have to stay properly warmed up, so that our feet are ready to move as we watch the ball.

I have team mates who tell me to sit still, but it is better for me if I jog around and practice shots, whilst I study the bowler.

[Karlo84]

As soon as a spinner comes on to bowl, a lot of players minds go into overdrive with the questions common above... Should I sweep? Dare I play against the spin? How much is it turning? Etc etc. A lot of which are determined by one thing - length. This is something you can have more control over than you realise, if you look at some of the best players of spin in the world, the one thing they have in common is the ability to turn good length balls into those that are slightly short or that are over pitched. They do this by using the depth of the crease and also coming down the wicket and meeting the ball on the half volley. Whilst I believe it is the best way to combat spin, it is also imperative that you watch the ball carefully ie not going back to a ball you think is short of a length which infact turns out to be an arm ball, or coming down the track to one that has been held back by the bowler and you find yourself over stretching. As im sure has been noticed by most of the members of CBF, a fair few members of the England team have struggled on the subcontinent and have been guilty of being caught on their crease, or their bats been caught on the 'curtain rail'.. the reason for this.....Length.
Playing spin (much like cricket as a whole) at times can be overcomplicated. Watch the ball and move your feet, be it forward or back, be positive and determined in your movements.

Anyway this is just my two penneth be it right or wrong.

What do the good people of CBF think?

[Buzz]

welcome to the forum Karlo and cracking opening post.
I totally agree and the hawk eye stats used in Simon Hughes' blog on the telegraph back up what you say with pictures!

[Karlo84]

Hi buzz, thanks for the welcome. I will check out Simon Hughes' blog and hopefully pick up a bit more.
P.s. thanks to whoever approved my application for membership, fantastic forum-glad to be part of it!

[no1northernbloke]

Depends on the quality of the spinner, but if they're an offie then not too bad. Good stride in and look to get outside the line initially. Use you're feet and look to get down the track whenever possible - you can always pad up if you don't quite get there. If they're a good leggie and it's going both ways then tricky, especially if you're not picking it! Always through the best way is play back as far as you can, so that you've got more time, but be ready to drive when it's well up there - should heopfully put them off their length....

[cricketbadger]

never sweep in the Aire Wharfe

[GarrettJ]

you have to be positive, and use a big stride. i'd also say look to work the ball for singles and play straight early on.

dont get frustrated and just keep plodding along.

if you want to disrupt the spinner sweeping or coming down is perfect ..... but this needs practice

[ajm90]

I Generally go for the walk down the wicket and miss technique, sometimes coupled with the big heave and miss, but thankfully being an opener its only about once a year I face spin to start with and it always seems quite easy to play and work around after batting for a few overs and getting settled.

[joeljonno]

That's where you go wrong, you should take the swish by numbers technique. Dot the first two balls then have a heave. #if you swing and miss, start again. Dot, dot, heave.

Everyone knows that's how to play spin.

[Karlo84]

That's where you go wrong, you should take the swish by numbers technique. Dot the first two balls then have a heave. #if you swing and miss, start again. Dot, dot, heave.

Everyone knows that's how to play spin.

Don't forget the confused look at the deck after you miss "it cant have been my fault, the pitch must have misbehaved etc etc"

[uknsaunders]

never sweep in the Aire Wharfe

some good decks in the AireWharfe, I'm assuming that's a comment on the umpires 

[joeljonno]

Don't forget the confused look at the deck after you miss "it cant have been my fault, the pitch must have misbehaved etc etc"

Absolutely Karlo, it's never MY fault.

Joel

(or "Hewie" at Fattus calls me).