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[thecord]

Sometimes when batsmen have particularly flamboyant back lifts I find it near impossible to stay in a regular position up to the stumps and actually see the ball. I have tried shifting further outside off stump to get a better view but can then be stranded if the ball goes down leg side. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with this?

[rp27]

i'd be interested in any tips too, i find this problem really puts me off and sometimes makes me lose the all on it's way down

[thecord]

Yea that's exactly what I'm talking about. I have told several batsmen to sort their back lift out but it generally doesn't go down too well!

[19reading87]

Get in the same position as usual but just move your head sideways, u have to appreciate your body wont be inline but sometimes "beggers cant be choosers"

[thecord]

Yea I have tried this but find that it starts me off balance. I am guessing there is no perfect solution to this but just wondering how everyone else deals with it.

[justnotcricket86]

I never look at the batsmen. If I get whacked, I get whacked, but I watch the ball from the start of the run up mate

[rp27]

for me it's nothing to do with the batsman, it's his bat blocking my view when i am watching the ball

[thecord]

Yes exactly, I'm talking about having your view of the ball blocked by the bat when the batsman has a dodgy back lift which doesn't go straight back. Tend to get one or two a game who give me this problem.

[Damo1583]

Stay low (lean right to "peer" around the batsman), watch the ball off the deck to get an idea of the trajectory to know what hight the ball will be for the take. if the ball goes down the leg side you will have to be sharp but be discaplined and stay alert!

[thecord]

Looks like I may need to go back to experimenting with the sideways lean then. First couple of games this year I've shifted my starting position a foot or so towards off and, touch wood, had two byeless games but am sure my luck will run out!

[Damo1583]

its really the only way mate, stick with it mate and stay sharp!

[rp27]

i've found that by "bouncing a bit when standing up i stay lower for longer and keep better, sounds weird i know but it works for me

[thecord]

I'm sure we all have our quirks. Might try that as my creaking knees could well put the batsman off

[rp27]

haha, well i'm only 17 so my knees have a few years left!

[thecord]

Make the most of it mate, by the time you're my age wd40 will be a standard part of your kit bag!