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[kaustav]

So yesterday, we played a game on a nightmarish pitch; chasing 149 we barely won by just one wicket. Balls were keeping low, bouncing high suddenly, moving off the pitch like a stabbed rat and what not. My question is: how do you manage an innings on such a dicey wicket when you know that any ball can get you out at any time. What kind of mindset should a batsman have according to your opinion? What kind of shots should he avoid? Should he hit out knowing fully well that the next ball will get him out or should he just hang in there and concentrate as hard as possible? I am sure that at a point in all our seasons, we will come across a pitch which will behave ridiculously. Please discuss.

Thanks

[Buzz]

you put on your lid and man up, Brian Close style and expect to wear a few.

protect your stumps, play on the front foot where possible and work really hard to rotate the strike so the bowlers don't get into a rhythm.

if you go for the try and slog everything approach it will work one time in about 12, so the odds are against it working but if it is someone's day you never know.

the longer you bat the easier it will get.

[roco]

As Wilkie will tell you there was a team in the league with one if these pitches where 120 was a good score I just tried to bat on middle and get forward but anything wide throw hands and bat at it

[Vulcan Cricket]

yes wear a lid wear a few for the team try and play the ball as late you can and hope you have a bit luck on the way  and rotate the strike and wait for the bad ball run hard put fielding side under pressure in the field 

[praguetaz]

I agree with all the previous comments as i've played on this surface for the last 2 years in prague but no longer as we have a proper pitch from this season.. hooray!
It was basically a park so in the middle it was a mix of playing on flix, carpet or the barish ground when dry enough so none of the teams here knew what to expect.... it was a great leveller of batsmen but by focusing hard on every ball and staying in as long as possible helped everyone who got a few runs..
However, this year we all start from scratch on what we hope will be a decent wicket and field...

[stevie_94_]

Sounds like the pitch we had as a 'home' one for the last two years, 140 is a good score on it. The players who have done best on it seem to either bat long or really go for it from the start and smash a quick 20 or 30

[beaver5]

My sunday village team has a very poor wicket. Slow and low or bounce like a tennis ball. A lot of good teams come unstuck as they try to over attack thinking they'll get out any second. This is true but you need to forget about it and focus on each ball expecting it to play as normal and be a bit selective with your shots. I look to get forward to just about everything and play straight as much as possible, which is not easy when I favour the cut and pull. If a ball is in your area try to cash in and put it away and hang in there with the others. Also don't expect to score as fast and team totals needs to be adjusted. 100 in an T20 game will usually get you a win on our pitch.

[Blazer]

I played on similar pitches last season for the 3rd team. Agree to what Buzz said ,getting on front foot and as close to the pitch of the ball possible and don't commit to any shots too early. Prepare to get hit and enjoy the battle. Short pitched balls won't cause much trouble as you get a bit more time to react and adjust. I tried to stop playing the cut shot initially eventhough it was my best shot.

[uknsaunders]

Like a few here I've got nearly 30 years of cricket under my belt and can remember the good days before covers were used. Played on a few nasty ones but less so nowadays. I'd give these tips:-

1. Play each ball on it's merit - sounds stupid but alot of guys get themselves out playing for something that isn't there. You'd also be surprised what a few smacks to the boundary does for the bowling teams confidence.
2. Play tight- don't go for expansive drives or front foot pulling. Defend your stumps with the full face and watch the ball carefully. The longer you stay in the easier it will get.
3. Play late and watch the ball bounce - don't assume because it's short it will sit up.

Unlike others, I don't think plunging onto the front foot works. If you are playing on a moss track then it's far more sensible to start on the back foot. It depends on the track is all I'm saying. More important watch the ball carefully and react late to any movement ie. dropping the wrists on a popper or lunging down for the shooter.

[Manormanic]

So yesterday, we played a game on a nightmarish pitch; chasing 149 we barely won by just one wicket. Balls were keeping low, bouncing high suddenly, moving off the pitch like a stabbed rat and what not. My question is: how do you manage an innings on such a dicey wicket when you know that any ball can get you out at any time. What kind of mindset should a batsman have according to your opinion? What kind of shots should he avoid? Should he hit out knowing fully well that the next ball will get him out or should he just hang in there and concentrate as hard as possible? I am sure that at a point in all our seasons, we will come across a pitch which will behave ridiculously. Please discuss.

Used to call it prop and cop.  prop forward with teh bat in line with the stumps and be prepared to cop one that bounces on the body.  If you play for the low bounce and don't mind the pain, the dangers aren't nearly as bad as all that, especially as bowlers will forsake a good length as soon as they see the variable bounce!

[Red Ink Cricket]

sounds like one end of the square at my cricket club. Best way to deal with it is to dig deep and just bat. dont worry too much about what its doing. sooner or later your likely to get that ball that kicks off a length or rolls along the floor. it happens unfortunately. rotate the strike and make full use of the loose delivery.

[Pitbull]

I think you just have to get on with it and accept that the ball can do anything and If the ball beats the bat then don't worry about it too much because there is nothing you can do about it.

I agree with everyone else, play with a straight bat and don't expect the same ball twice haha.

[Red Ink Cricket]

just wish for the full toss lol

[Manormanic]

Unlike others, I don't think plunging onto the front foot works. If you are playing on a moss track then it's far more sensible to start on the back foot. It depends on the track is all I'm saying. More important watch the ball carefully and react late to any movement ie. dropping the wrists on a popper or lunging down for the shooter.

The danger if you sit on the back foot is that the mind can play tricks on you as you see far more movement from the bals that do something abnormal, and you then start to twitch at the ball, bringing th slips into play far more than is necessary.  On the front foot, movement is minimised and the one that pops has hit you before you can get yourself into much trouble!

[tim2000s]

Be watchful, straight bat, and soft hands. Unless someone is bowling at 80+ mph, nothing you wear is going to hurt that much, with all the padding...