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[Kulli]

All cricket in Norway is played on astro pitches, not ideal but it's still better than not playing at all, however since i moved here I've hardly scored a run. Back home I probably averages high teens, with 1-2 50's in a season. However last year I averaged about 5 and had a top score of <20. This year I've really knuckled down and have managed to scratch together a few 20-30's but they've been really laboured.

Having grown up in Scotland  and being tall I'm a bit of a front foot planter and score a huge chunk of my runs straight, but on the plastic decks i just can't seen to drive the ball one the ground at all, and if I try and go ariel my timing is terrible.

Having looked at my bat i do seem to be hitting nearly everything pretty high (middle 1/3 of the blade) but then I'd never really considered where I hit the ball before moving here, so maybe that's always been the case.

The standard here is a bit lower than I played in the UK, and astro wickets and short boundaries should mean batting is easier, so it's driving me crazy.

HELP 

[tim2000s]

What kind of bowling are you facing? I've found that on the artificials in Regent's Park, there is a lot more bounce, and it's of a relatively slow variety, so not always coming on to the bat. It does mean that the timing is a little bit different, and watching people play, there is more backfoot play on these pitches.

Understanding some of this may help you.

[Kulli]

Most of the bowling over here is pretty similar, varying from big old wobblers to a brisk sort of medium, there's very few spinners or bowlers of genuine pace, however the better ones do tend to move the ball both ways a reasonable amount.

I did wonder if I'm just playing too much off the front foot, as we went on a tour to Bedfordshire pre-season and batting seemed easy again and the runs flowed.

I guess i might just have to keep making ugly 20's until i learn to play off the back foot!

[tushar sehgal]

Most of the bowling over here is pretty similar, varying from big old wobblers to a brisk sort of medium, there's very few spinners or bowlers of genuine pace, however the better ones do tend to move the ball both ways a reasonable amount.

I did wonder if I'm just playing too much off the front foot, as we went on a tour to Bedfordshire pre-season and batting seemed easy again and the runs flowed.

I guess i might just have to keep making ugly 20's until i learn to play off the back foot!

Absolutely silly idea here but seems like you are struggling with the ball stopping just a little and bouncing more than you expect. You could try standing out the of the crease a little bit, that would mean you are not hitting the ball as high up on the bat as you might be right now.

Usually when we move from nets (hard but very smooth concerete) to out doors (astro style wicket) most players mistime shots or top edge them, most will start out of the crease a little to negate the movement and bounce. Also when you get used to the bounce you can move back into your normal spot in the crease and punch off the back foot