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[The Palmist]

This saturday our team was literally bounced off. Opposition strike bowlers bowled pacey goodish or just short of a good length deliveries on middle and off which just rose after hitting the pitch. They had fielding in the circle and we lost 5 wickets as close catches.

As an opener I fought hard for 11 overs before side edging a delivery on my pads, bat turned too early or bowl was a bit slower than expected.

The problem I found was facing these deliveries. I just had no answer, I couldn't go forward because of the sharp bounce and going on back foot just never works for me. I managed somehow by standing a foot away from the crease but had to stand back in when the keeper decided to stand up. I also tried to read the length and left any balls going away from the wickets. I faced may be about 40 deliveries for my 9 very laborious runs.

One positive I did take from the game was facing the bowler when he changed angles from over to around. I just changed my guard to leg and turned a bit to continue facing him which negated the effect of around the wicket angle. This is from a tip I read somewhere on the forum.

Any help and advice will be much much appreciated.

[RossViper]

??

Learn how to play off the back off?!

Next!!!

[Banksy]

As above...

Rather than batting a foot outside your crease, I find it easier to bat as close to the stumps as I dare to pacey/bouncy bowlers, then just guide it down to third man or smash it through point if its wider.

[The Palmist]

I have had no problems with short rising deliveries or the ones aimed at me but really struggled with good length balls which were just shooting up. Pitch did have a part to play but I would like to have something in my bag for counter attack next time.

[procricket]

Pull off the front foot or drop your hands and let it go.

Are you talking about tennis ball bounce wickets???

[The Palmist]

Thanks Pro good tip.
Yes very tennis ball like but uneven at the same time so can't risk pulling completely out as some deliveries can just roll in hitting the stumps.

[acko109]

Get down the other end  !

[potzy248]

Went to training yesterday where we all had to face this ridiculous bowling machine. It was positioned about 1/4 down the pitch and it just bowled bouncer after bouncer at us. It was some of the funniest stuff I have seen...until it was my turn. You literally had half a second to decide what to do. The balls kept changing as the coach changed the length. Anyway after getting hit in the neck, arm, chest, gloves etc for about 30 balls, I started seeing it really well. I was able to sway and drop the hands, duck, hook play under the eyes and pull.
It was probably the best training I have done for short pitched deliveries and would definitely recommend it. It was a smaller "Bola" machine not the full size one. Bit sore today but know it worked wonders for my short ball game. Looking forward to next Sunday.

[acko109]

Went to training yesterday where we all had to face this ridiculous bowling machine. It was positioned about 1/4 down the pitch and it just bowled bouncer after bouncer at us. It was some of the funniest stuff I have seen...until it was my turn. You literally had half a second to decide what to do. The balls kept changing as the coach changed the length. Anyway after getting hit in the neck, arm, chest, gloves etc for about 30 balls, I started seeing it really well. I was able to sway and drop the hands, duck, hook play under the eyes and pull.
It was probably the best training I have done for short pitched deliveries and would definitely recommend it. It was a smaller "Bola" machine not the full size one. Bit sore today but know it worked wonders for my short ball game. Looking forward to next Sunday.

any idea what speed it was on pottzy?

[potzy248]

Was about 57mph up to 60 mph.
Felt very very fast though when it was that close. It helped with my foot work and ducking and weaving. Like I said brilliant training for short pitched stuff.
I am compulsive hooker so I really needed this type of training.

[acko109]

yeh i find even when its not on so fast on the machine around 70 ish .. it feels a lot quicker than a bowler running in and bowling as it has the split second of you trying to pick the line up and so on .. its good fun the bowling machine though ! . you found that the different coloured balls do different things?

[potzy248]

Not even different colored. Some are just a bit more worn than others so they come out differently.

Having it closer than usual exaggerates the pace.

[Dhiraj]

I have had no problems with short rising deliveries or the ones aimed at me but really struggled with good length balls which were just shooting up. Pitch did have a part to play but I would like to have something in my bag for counter attack next time.

Did you try giving charge or take few steps? Atleast to disturb his length?

[smilley792]

We played on a pitch recently that had sharp tennis ball style bounce(every ball though no shooters)

We lost 3wickets to close catches.

The surviving opener got 74 by employing 1shot to every ball. He moved to off and played the ramp/lap to every ball.

[roco]

Close eyes and hope for best

But personally sit back in crease or come way out of crease depends how confident you are