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[procricket]

Lighter bat mate is a must

Footwork well it comes with practice at a faster pace use the bowling machine to get you moving first off mate just get used to it by feeding half volleys and stuff then after you feel comftable move onto another area

Once you worked on the front foot move to the back foot shots on the machine

One you feel confident get a feeder a experienced one to randomise the machine mate so your now not just setting

Be careful of changing things like backlifts and stuff it could mess a few area of your game up and my best tip is watch the ball out of the hand it is amazing how many do not do it many think they are but they watch a window not the ball it will give you a few extra milli seconds

[jimba101]

i would go more

fast 85+
fast medium 75-85
medium fast 65-75
medium 65 and under


depends what standard you play i suppose

[Howzat]

I thought Fast medium was quicker than medium fast?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_bowling and more specifically this bit:


Classification of fast bowlers
Type                        mph   km/h
Fast                        85+   135+
Fast-medium   80 to 85   128 to 135
Medium-fast   70 to 80   113 to 128
Medium           60 to 70   97 to 113

Jesus the guy must have been pretty sharpish then as his cricinfo classes him as Fast-Medium!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/513378.html

[Simmy]

defo in the 80's then we have bowling machine on 75 and we dont really play anything faster than that. its just all about getting ur feet moving at pace. if u get ur self inline rest will come

[Buzz]

Leo - the answer is just practice and time at the crease.

Fast bowling tests not just your courage, but also your technique, if your technique is good and you are able to consistently able to "keep your shape" and play the ball under your eyes, you will be able to play it comfortably, once you have faced it and had time at the crease against it.

But this is the chicken and egg situation - if you are not used to it you get out quickly so don't get the time at the crease.
This is where the bowling machine is useful - cranking it up to mid 70's and shortening the distance it is coming from will allow you to get your feet going - but start with the machine in the 60's and gradually have the speed increased.

What you are actually doing is training your muscles to be used to moving a little faster. Actually this takes a surprisingly short amount of time.

If you don't have access to the bowling machine, then practice on a concete floor with a golf ball - Don Bradman style - throw the ball against the wall and practice your shots - the ball will spring off the wall and you have to move faster than you expect.

just mind the windows...!
Hope that helps.

[Number4]

This might sound a bit stupid but self confidence and self belief play a big part too... Every time I go out to bat I go out there believing that I am better than any bowler they have.. Sounds like I am up myself..lol.. It does work for me though, gets me in an aggressive mindset.

The more you can play against fast bowling the easier you cope with the pace.. It's not easy... Just easier.

[Howzat]

Sounds good will get on the bowling machine, I see what Buzz means about the muscle movements, by the time I had played my shot the ball was in the keepers gloves!

[Buzz]

Sounds good will get on the bowling machine, I see what Buzz means about the muscle movements, by the time I had played my shot the ball was in the keepers gloves!

trust me, we have all been there.

It is when the ball has clipped your front pad (bang in front), then your inside edge, the top of the off bail and landed safey in the keepers gloves before you have moved, you know you are in trouble. (yes that has happened to me.)
I had the ignomy of the scorer asking me how I was out.
I suppose I should be grateful the keeper was too far back to have stumped me and I didn't hit wicket...

[johnnyw]

Leo - the answer is just practice and time at the crease.

Fast bowling tests not just your courage, but also your technique, if your technique is good and you are able to consistently able to "keep your shape" and play the ball under your eyes, you will be able to play it comfortably, once you have faced it and had time at the crease against it.

But this is the chicken and egg situation - if you are not used to it you get out quickly so don't get the time at the crease.
This is where the bowling machine is useful - cranking it up to mid 70's and shortening the distance it is coming from will allow you to get your feet going - but start with the machine in the 60's and gradually have the speed increased.

What you are actually doing is training your muscles to be used to moving a little faster. Actually this takes a surprisingly short amount of time.

If you don't have access to the bowling machine, then practice on a concete floor with a golf ball - Don Bradman style - throw the ball against the wall and practice your shots - the ball will spring off the wall and you have to move faster than you expect.

just mind the windows...!
Hope that helps.

Watch your teeth aswell with the golf ball

[Marcussjd9]

Jesus the guy must have been pretty sharpish then as his cricinfo classes him as Fast-Medium!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/513378.html

They also have Graham Napier listed as Medium
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/17991.html
So I wouldn't read too much into it.