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[MEvans267]

Hi guys, as the title suggests i am struggling with the sort of short/back of a length ball on/just ouside off stump. I have been out to this or very similar deliveries 3 times already this season. All 3 times i have tried to pull the ball through the midwicket region and have been caught top edging.
Is this the right sort of shot to play to this ball? Is there a better shot to play? Also any drills i can do to practice getting back and across and hitting from high to low?

[valiantlad]

good, old fashioned leave!

[swamidude]

The first step I would take is in the nets when they pop up start moving your back foot back and across to the offside as quickly as possible. From there any shot will be possible, and it will just be something you will have to pick up as the length, pitch and line of the ball vary.

Generally, if it's not swinging and the bowler isn't getting much bounce I feel safe to cut. But early on in the innings and if the bowler is bowling from close to the stumps it is safer to defend or play it to off than to attempt a pull.

[Coach]

depends on you as a person, some people would be inclined to go up and over point, either that or pull

Get a partner to kneel about the sort of length the ball would pitch and throw the ball up to you from there, practice hitting it flat bat first, just focus on a clean contact, once you feel confident doing that then look at keeping the ball down or going over the top

[Buzz]

leave, cut, late cut, back foot drive are your options, it depends on the type of bowler, the length and the mostly the line.
in your case it sounds like you might want to work on the back foot drive.

[MEvans267]

The line would be around half a stump from offstump with maybe a touch of movement in. The cut has never been one of my stronger scoring shots hence why my natural game is to pull or leave. It is this ball that is inbetween my two shots.

[johan95]

The line would be around half a stump from offstump with maybe a touch of movement in. The cut has never been one of my stronger scoring shots hence why my natural game is to pull or leave. It is this ball that is inbetween my two shots.

Sure, the cut may not be one of your best scoring shots, but it can definitely be developed..
Just get in the nets and I guess first with tennis balls and then with leather balls practise the shot, and if there's a coach at your club ask for their assistance.
As Shiv said get your feet moving. Pick the line, the cut and the pull are remarkably similar if you think about it - back, across, bat down horizontally.
I wouldn't pull early in your innings, so perhaps learn a backfoot punch, which can be a very useful shot
Hope that's helpful in some ways

[RossViper]

How tall are you?

Here are soem tips.

If its one off stump/just out side then dont cut it, not sure why people are saying cut it?

First thing - are you try to pull to soon in your innings?
Is it just bad luck?
Is the ball sort enough to ball? -top edges suggest its not.
is you bat to heavy

If it was me, i would put it away for a bit, until I was in on a decent deck.
 

[Liam-SCCC]

KP baseball shot over mid on is my solution!

[roco]

I'm tempted to try a dil scoop using the helmet

[Jagminder]

Line of the ball : -
As a right handed batsman, if the ball is anywhere inside(towards legside) your right shoulder you should pull it.
Length :- It depends on a lot of factors like weight of your bat, pitch surface, bowler, conditions, etc.
 This might not be the best advice regarding top edges but I solved my this(top edges) problem by bringing my bat from down to up and trying to clear square leg fielder.
Try some tennis ball throw downs for short pitch stuff.


- Jagminder.

[Colesy]

Backfoot drive ever occur to anyone? (Except Buzz)

[tim2000s]

Backfoot drive ever occur to anyone? (Except Buzz)

I think it really depends on how short. Playing a back foot drive I don't tend to consider it particularly short, just a bit short of a length. If someone says "The Short Ball" I tend to think of something a little more banged in that is coming in above hip height, when the back foot drive is considerably harder to bring in to play.

Maybe the OP can clarify?

[Colesy]

I find it much easier to play than the pull or cut. Maybe it's just me, or the wickets which rarely get up to shoulder height in which case I'll defend.

[Buzz]

the back foot drive is vastly under used, the ball can be hit anywhere on the off side, if the ball is hip height you can work the ball to third man. that shot especially is a great way to rotate the strike.
not every ball need to go for four.