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[Milky Bar Kid]

Hi guys,

Basically I'm a number 11. In terms of match situations, I probably deserve to be there. However in the nets I'm by far a better batsmen than half of the team. In the past I have often thrown my wicket away with the attitude "I'm a number 11, the others should have scored more". This is something I've worked really hard on to improve, blocking out overs rather than finish the innings with overs to spare. At the moment this is going fairly well. Where my real problem is

1. I struggle to pick up the ball in the middle, whereas nets its a lot easier (am I the only one?)

2. In the nets I am predominately an offside player. Cuts, drives you name it I can play it. However in the middle my offside game falls to pieces and I start trying to play shots like the hook or pull even though I never try them in the nets.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Milky

[lazza32]

Cricket is a mental game get a hold of the bob woolmer book on cricket it'll help out heaps. The reason you can pick up the ball easier in the nets is because the nets provide a consistant background for the ball to contrast too. Also there are no fielders for you to worry about.

[Manormanic]

also you're used to watching the ball in the nets.  Get used to looking for the ball in the bowlers hand and telling yourself to watch it all the way from there...

[tim2000s]

also you're used to watching the ball in the nets.  Get used to looking for the ball in the bowlers hand and telling yourself to watch it all the way from there...

This is probably the most important point. Watch the ball all the way. You'll be surprised how much it makes a difference. I started doing this a lot more last season, and it showed in my batting.

[richthekeeper]

In our league the opposition get the overs that we don't use if we get bowled out. So if we get bowled out 7 overs short of the 50, they get to bat for 57. Because of this it's vital that tail enders are able to stick around as long as possible.

[Blazer]

You bat better in the nets because you are familiar with team mates bowling actions eg : you can predict a certain bowler who is bowling it short from easily looking at his shoulders.It becomes second nature. In the middle you are not familiar with the bowlers action or have a rough idea where he is going to bowl. I think like others said focus on the seam of the ball, get absorbed by it, keep track all the way. Cricket is in the mind, forget the situation you are in. Think of yourself as  better than number 11. Normally number 11's have a go at the ball from the first, don't fall into that trap.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. It was a bit better in the last game. I did really watch the ball. That "have a go from the first ball" sums me up perfectly. I'll go out and say to myself all the way up to the bowlers release block or leave it. No matter what ball they bowl I take a swing haha

[Jagminder]

Imagine fielders in the nets - like a slip or two, short extra cover, mid wicket......(we have an indoor soccer field and I use gloves, inners, pads..... to position my field). Try to avoid fielders. - during practice play shots that you think will get you off strike.
There has to be some structured approach when you practice.


Jag.