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[19reading87]

Afternoon people,

I'm after some advice... Myself and Nick Saunders have been going over it for a couple of weeks now so I thought it was time I got your opinion.

I'm the captain of my team, so natrually all major decisions either come from me are put to me.

My team are really struggling for batsman this season and due to myself in Nicks words "being the best batsman" I was wondering if I should move myself up the order the help the team out?! I've been batting myself at 4 all of this season and last year I was either 3 or 5 (I averaged just under 43) but due to us struggling I am considering opening the batting. I've done it for previous clubs so doing it is no problem but I like the balance of myself at 4 and can keep the middle order stable (when I'm not triggered like on Saturday!!!!!). The reason we have thought about it is the fact that we only have our regular opener there for 1 in every 2 games and the 2 guys who fill the void are natrually very slow batsman. Do I move myself up to give myself more time at the wicket or stay put and let others fill the position??

Any help would be great.

Cheers

[toenails97]

Give yourself a chance mate! I've seen your videos and your a great batsman!

[Nickauger]

I reckon keep yourself where you are. Chances are you're digging the team out of a hole whether at 1 or 4, so I would suggest stay at 4, and the odd occasion you might be doing it at 130-2, instead of 25-2. In my opinion the best batsmen bat at 4, to play the finisher role or the anchor role! Why not ask Nick to open, as it seems like he's wasted at 7/8.

[mad_abt_cricket]

Go ahead and open in my opinion. Since you are the best batsman in your team, more often than not you will likely provide good start to the team and put the opposition on the back foot. Batsmen to follow will then play pressure free and can capitalize on the good start you gave.

No point in coming at 30 for 2 and have to curb your natural game.

[PedalsMcgrew]

No 3 is surely the key position? If you look at International line ups over the last few years the best players all tend to bat there.....

[ajmw89]

How about compromise and move up to 3?  That way, you can still come in after an early loss to steady the ship, or blaze away after a good start

[kouservice]

I would say play at the current position 4. I am facing the same problem in my club. I aleady tried to move and open, although i scored a handsome 80, but once your wicket falls the moral of others goes down. I understand that opening up will give you more time on the crease, but comming at 4 will give some hope for you team.

[Twelfth Man]

What ever you do, make sure you back yourself and not over complicating/worrying!

[Colesy]

If your openers are slow but stay in for 15 or so overs they'll see off the new ball and when you come in it will be easier to score and less risk of you getting out?

[trypewriter]

No 3 is surely the key position? If you look at International line ups over the last few years the best players all tend to bat there.....

Three is key. The bowlers are in the groove, they've just got a wicket, the fielders are on their toes again. Toughest position to bat IMO. I hated it, though I did get my best (modest) score batting there.

[arsenal123]

Bat 3.  I had the exact same situation last season, I scored 500 at 50, second top scorer at the end of the year ended with 180.

That way if an early wicket falls you can say to yourself I'm batting the whole of the innings without having to worry about assessing the pitch like you would if opening.  Take responsibility for the innings and you can talk people through staying with you, whereas at 4 the innings can get away from you and too much damage is done/you have to start hitting shots to make up for the slow start.

[Red Ink Cricket]

take 3 or 4 mate. if any early wicket falls you can steady the ship and is pretty much like opening anyway. if you in after a decent start then your in finisher mode. sometimes too much of a change can do more harm than good.

[Bruce]

Mark, How about playing it by ear?
Get padded up and see if you lose an early one go in, if going nicely stay at your normal spot.
Just a  thought

[uknsaunders]

We were banging around ideas on email. I like the aussie school of thought that you give your best batsman the most overs and back them against what the oppo throw at you. One of the issues in the first 2 games is Redders hasn't got in until the last 15-20 overs of the innings, by-passing more than half the innings. It's a criminal waste of resources from that perspective.

Part of the problem we face is we have a revolving door of batsman availability and in any one week up to 3 of the top 6 aren't around. Our batting is pretty limited and it has a big impact on our ability to compete. We're playing musical chairs most weeks, shifting guys around. Ideally I'd bat 6/7 but I've done 3 so far as more than 1 person is always away. Not my preferred position as I don't really like dealing with the new ball. Plus I'm getting through 9/10 overs at the death of our fielding effort, not good if you field first.

We have a very decent opener who scored 100+ runs in the first 2 weeks, but isn't around this week. Without him we lack some natural aggression at the top of the order and the alternatives are a little stodgy. Hence the idea of Redders opening when Dunc is away, but moving down a spot when he's back. That way Redders gets more overs to face and hopefully puts the oppo on the back foot. I can shift up or down depending on the situation, doing 4 if we are short of batting or is we lose a couple. Alternatively dropping lower to let some hitters go in if we get off to a flyer (or we actually have some batting). We have a couple of other batsman but they are a bit stodgy and pairing both of them up or with me would probably mean a slow start.

[FattusCattus]

Bat yourself at 3 and use Nick's Tempo - that is the best combination.