Topic: "Picking the ball" (Read 5808 times)

EaglesCC · « **on:** October 24, 2012, 12:35:25 PM »

I don�t mean ball tampering or fielding. I mean when batting; being able to pick the seam position, rough or smooth side of the ball (which way it�s likely to swing), or the revolutions on a ball when playing spin.

Professional batsmen worth their salt can not only pick all of this but judge how to play the delivery within few split seconds.

This is something which doesn�t seem to come naturally to me. I have to play the ball �as it happens� and hope I�m good enough to make those small but crucial adjustments based on what ball actually does rather than predicting what might happen because of how it leaves the hand.

I�m wondering if this is purely an eye sight thing/ level I play at thing or something I can learnt?

Manormanic · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2012, 12:53:42 PM »

You can learn it - especially if you're batting with someone who can help you out.

Firstly, worth getting your eyes tested - I needed glasses for two years before I got them, and it was surprising the difference that they made.

Secondly, think what specifically you want to look for. This will differ from bowler to bowler, but there area few obvious variables. To whit, for a seamer, you want to look which way the seam is canted and whether the thumb is visible on the bottom of the ball.

Simmy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:14:44 PM »

no i dont pick the ball up..

all i watch is where the ball is released out of the hand if its gonna be short or full.

if its wide of my off stump if its coming in going away etc im not bothered im having a swing at it lol

tushar sehgal · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:23:17 PM »

Quote from: Manormanic on October 24, 2012, 12:53:42 PM

You can learn it - especially if you're batting with someone who can help you out.

Firstly, worth getting your eyes tested - I needed glasses for two years before I got them, and it was surprising the difference that they made.

Secondly, think what specifically you want to look for. This will differ from bowler to bowler, but there area few obvious variables. To whit, for a seamer, you want to look which way the seam is canted and whether the thumb is visible on the bottom of the ball.

Could you please elaborate on the underlined/bold section please...

uknsaunders · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:28:34 PM »

Quote from: Simmy on October 24, 2012, 01:14:44 PM

no i dont pick the ball up..

all i watch is where the ball is released out of the hand if its gonna be short or full.

if its wide of my off stump if its coming in going away etc im not bothered im having a swing at it lol

I thought you were going to say "close my eyes and swing" lol

Manormanic · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:33:00 PM »

Quote from: tusharsehgal on October 24, 2012, 01:23:17 PM

Could you please elaborate on the underlined/bold section please...

Yes; we covered on another thread how, to maximise the chances of swing, the thumb should exist only to hold the ball stable. That should mean that it sits too far back on the ball for the tip to be visible as the bowler runs in - however, if it is visible, then I tend to expect either a slower ball (all three major type that are bowled in club cricket can be picked up this way) or an effort ball. You should know which it is as the bowler gathers...

...of course, knowing what you expect to be coming and playing it are two different things...

uknsaunders · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:36:17 PM »

I have fat little fingers so you'd be stuffed against me.

Simmy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:36:48 PM »

Quote from: uknsaunders on October 24, 2012, 01:28:34 PM

I thought you were going to say "close my eyes and swing" lol

nick i am a run machine i do not do this

tushar sehgal · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:38:11 PM »

Quote from: Manormanic on October 24, 2012, 01:33:00 PM

Yes; we covered on another thread how, to maximise the chances of swing, the thumb should exist only to hold the ball stable. That should mean that it sits too far back on the ball for the tip to be visible as the bowler runs in - however, if it is visible, then I tend to expect either a slower ball (all three major type that are bowled in club cricket can be picked up this way) or an effort ball. You should know which it is as the bowler gathers...

...of course, knowing what you expect to be coming and playing it are two different things...

Oh ok thanks

tim2000s · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:53:33 PM »

Quote from: Manormanic on October 24, 2012, 12:53:42 PM

You can learn it - especially if you're batting with someone who can help you out.

Firstly, worth getting your eyes tested - I needed glasses for two years before I got them, and it was surprising the difference that they made.

Secondly, think what specifically you want to look for. This will differ from bowler to bowler, but there area few obvious variables. To whit, for a seamer, you want to look which way the seam is canted and whether the thumb is visible on the bottom of the ball.

Whilst this may be true at certain levels of cricket, I can guarantee you at most club levels, a bowler may very well be moving it around without any of the tells described!

Manormanic · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:55:05 PM »

Quote from: tim2000s on October 24, 2012, 01:53:33 PM

Whilst this may be true at certain levels of cricket, I can guarantee you at most club levels, a bowler may very well be moving it around without any of the tells described!

its possible, yes, though I have not seen it regularly!

Manormanic · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:55:31 PM »

Quote from: uknsaunders on October 24, 2012, 01:36:17 PM

I have fat little fingers so you'd be stuffed against me.

but you bowl spin anyways!

Simmy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2012, 02:06:05 PM »

news to me? ive never seen him turn a ball!

uknsaunders · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2012, 02:32:53 PM »

apart from the ones you drop

Bowled swing/seam for 20 odd years. The Vulcan or split finger can be bowled with the thumb on the bottom, in fact I couldn't grip the ball without the thumb

, but you're right alot of slower balls rely on the thumb coming off the ball.

GarrettJ · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2012, 03:14:12 PM »

here is a tip .......

spend your winter nets keeping to spinners and medium pacers .... once you do that bowlers should be easier to pick

Author Topic: "Picking the ball" (Read 5808 times)

EaglesCC

"Picking the ball"

Manormanic

Re: "Picking the ball"

Simmy

Re: "Picking the ball"

tushar sehgal

Re: "Picking the ball"

uknsaunders

Re: "Picking the ball"

Manormanic

Re: "Picking the ball"

uknsaunders

Re: "Picking the ball"

Simmy

Re: "Picking the ball"

tushar sehgal

Re: "Picking the ball"

tim2000s

Re: "Picking the ball"

Manormanic

Re: "Picking the ball"

Manormanic

Re: "Picking the ball"

Simmy

Re: "Picking the ball"

uknsaunders

Re: "Picking the ball"

GarrettJ

Re: "Picking the ball"