Print

[patriotscreen]

So this is my third year playing cricket. I have found a new team this year that I am very happy with, and have been very lucky to find myself being the regular opening batsman being that I am a slow scorer with a solid defence and also being the only left handed batsman in the club, they like the variety.

I have never been coached and only have a limited amount of shots. I am definately not one of the better batsmen in the club, by a country mile, but recently I have been getting more runs slowly. I started off the season unable to get in to double figures, and then the last 4 games I have had 27, 21, 2 (sadly) and today 18 so I am finally starting to get more comfortable playing. I am able to last 30+ overs to get these scores so clearly am not an aggressive player.

My question is, what is the best way to stay in form over the winter and improve as sadly I am only getting into the swing of it towards the end of the season. I am really enjoying my cricket and am very happy to finally be getting higher scores, and have never felt so comfortable. So being that I am very inexperienced and have had little or no help with my technique what is the best way to keep it up? I am still not confident enough at the crease to get my feet moving and attack, which I really want to work on but don't seem to be able to once I get in to the game.

[joeljonno]

Have a look into coaching. There will be some about. Not only will it keep you in touch, it should be able to help improve your technique.

Alternatively, winter is a good time for indoor cricket leagues. Have a look on the internet to see what is about.

These will help you keep your hand in, but form is only temporary so don't worry if you go through a bad patch.

[Chad]

I think the main thing is to enjoy batting, which you clearly do. Just stay positive with your batting, back yourself and always bat within yourself in a game, ie. don't play shots you know you get out to often. (Unless drastic measures are required!) The pre-season is the time for when you try practising things out of your comfort zone, such as ways to work those balls that you would normally defend for singles, perhaps playing slightly riskier shots, leaving fewer balls after you are set, etc etc. Seems like you're doing well, I think my top score when I was 3 years into cricket was 37, and I only managed to beat that last year, which was 4 years after that 37! Never really been much of a batsman until recently, when I started backing myself more and knew not to get carried away. This is my opinion anyways, most of the folk here are much better batsmen than myself, and have their insights. This is just what has worked for me!

[ammo]

You sound a lot like me (except i am an all-rounder)
Honestly winter is the best time to improve, during the season you should not try to change too many things.
I sugest you get some propper coaching for around 3 sessions. In that much time the coach will be able to pick out your weak points and start doing some drills to help you fix those. Once you have had those sessions I suggest you buy a coaching book e.g. Bob woolmer's art and science of cricket. Use the book for drills and basic tips combined with what the coach thinks you need to work on (self coaching). Train with someone it helps.

[patriotscreen]

I have the Bob Woolmer book, but havent properly read it yet as its about 5 million pages long! I will do though. Was told by the captain yesterday to bat more urgently and got myself out lbw trying to play a stupid shot that i knew wouldnt work but needed to show that i was making the effort. Nevermind, theres a friendly match today that I can try something different in. Less pressure makes for easier batting

[ammo]

I've Been in the play urgently situation too, just get bat on ball and hope it goes into a gap 
Maybe you could also develop one or 2 go-to shots, ones that you have semi-perfected and can just go for the ball is in your area (think it is far more important to patch up your weakesses and improve your all round game but maybe after you have developed a decent foundation you could go to this).

[joeljonno]

I have the Bob Woolmer book, but havent properly read it yet as its about 5 million pages long! I will do though. Was told by the captain yesterday to bat more urgently and got myself out lbw trying to play a stupid shot that i knew wouldnt work but needed to show that i was making the effort. Nevermind, theres a friendly match today that I can try something different in. Less pressure makes for easier batting

Try looking to work more singles than playing silly shots that you might get out to. Bat on ball, backing up, there are plenty of singles to be had if you on your toes and ready to go.

[shazz]

Also develop a 'go to' shot, a shot that you are totally comfortable playing if you do need to up the rate. Normally the oppo skipper will put a man back after 2 shots, but that 8-12 quick runs, and then more holes for singles.

[alexhilly1492]

having those scores mate i'd stick to what you are doing a bigger score is due to come at some point and try to use a get out shot, punch downt he ground/dab down to 3rd man for one to keep ticking over.

on the note of batting form, how to get out of a rut? i dont have time for nets due to work, just hit yourself out or back your game to come good? (sorry if i stole the post)

[joeylough]

Try looking to work more singles than playing silly shots that you might get out to. Bat on ball, backing up, there are plenty of singles to be had if you on your toes and ready to go.

Don't go for the stupid second, you may get run out...

[patriotscreen]

I don't have a 'go to' shot yet I don't think. Tend to be pretty consistent at clipping 1's and 2's round my legs, the odd one will make it to the boundary. Might spend the winter trying to work out a shot that can be played from almost any kind of delivery, just to get off strike and let someone else take a swing. I am more of a prodder!

[alexhilly1492]

Don't go for the stupid second, you may get run out...

i may have done that this weekend was only half a foot out closer than it should have been could have made it with a dive makes my scores this season, 22, 1, 20, 0, 1.

even my go to dab to 3rd man isnt working :s

[ammo]

Then you only have one thing to do. GO out all guns blazing!

[richthekeeper]

you're in a good place already in that you're capable of batting time and you have an understanding of your own game.

you say that you're quite good off your legs, so first of all keep playing those shots to ensure you are scoring. check the field frequently so you know where you're more likely to get a boundary. you can work on improving your range of shots in nets, but in a game it's best to stick to the ones you're good at mainly.

what you need to do, in order to turn those 20s into 50s, is change your attitude slightly through your innings. i'm the same, an opener who starts slowly, but as i get into the groove after 10-12 overs my mentality changes. as the bowler enters his delivery stride instead of thinking "don't get out" my thought process is different.

ask yourself "can i score?"

if you can, hit the ball positively and run hard.
if you can't, defend.

hope that helps?

[patriotscreen]

you're in a good place already in that you're capable of batting time and you have an understanding of your own game.

you say that you're quite good off your legs, so first of all keep playing those shots to ensure you are scoring. check the field frequently so you know where you're more likely to get a boundary. you can work on improving your range of shots in nets, but in a game it's best to stick to the ones you're good at mainly.

what you need to do, in order to turn those 20s into 50s, is change your attitude slightly through your innings. i'm the same, an opener who starts slowly, but as i get into the groove after 10-12 overs my mentality changes. as the bowler enters his delivery stride instead of thinking "don't get out" my thought process is different.

ask yourself "can i score?"

if you can, hit the ball positively and run hard.
if you can't, defend.

hope that helps?

I do tend to notice that once I get past the 10 over stage I am less focused on getting out. I think it takes quite a while for me to feel like I am comfortable with the bowlers I am facing, also getting past the first wave of bowlers is always good because you can start to relax a bit more and play more shots as you know you have seen off the worst of the attack. Obviously this isn't always the case, but the majority of teams put their 2 best bowlers first.

I think I need to learn to play through my shots properly. I am actually quite good at driving the ball in the nets and am very capable of driving back against bowlers, just never tend to play those shots in match situations.

Going to be doing a lot of work over the winter!