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[richthekeeper]

A variation on a theme...

I'm an opener. I've been opening (or batting 3) for probably the last 5 seasons, with a reasonable amount of success. I'm used in this role because I'm the main player in my team who possesses the concentration and discipline to see off the new ball. Last season i scored 9 fifties opening up for the 2nd XI.

That said, I'm also a wicketkeeper. When I get called into the 1st XI I bat anywhere between 6 and 11 depending on the strength of the team that day.

So, my question is how do I adjust my approach for those times when I'm not coming in at the top of the order? How do I think like a middle order player?

[arsenal123]

Exactly the same for me!

I either open/three for the twos or bat 7/8 in the ones.  Struggle to get the ball away, thoughts?

[tim2000s]

i actually don't think the principles are a great deal different. Unless you have the most amazing hand/eye coordination and depth perception, you need to play yourself in and only then open up.

[MJB3]

Have just done this recently, moving down from opening after about 4 years to 5, to accomodate our overseas.

I've found it to be exactly the same. Take your time, get your eye in and then play.

On the whole I've found it doesn't take as long to get in. Generally the ball isn't doing as much, the openers aren't bowling and the field is back.

[WalkingWicket37]

Buy a mongoose and swing like a rusty game from ball 1! 

[GarrettJ]

the filed should be a lot more spread out so accumulate lots of ones and twos early on

[Buzz]

how do you find waiting to bat?
I get really frustrated and want to get out there when I am not opening

[Manormanic]

Thing is, when you bat in the early overs, there are usually three-four close catchers, so you have plenty of gaps to play into.  In the middle overs a new bat might be greeted by a ring field and that can be tricky...

[pie-man]

When I get called into the 1st XI I bat anywhere between 6 and 11 depending on the strength of the team that day.

This is a real pet-hate of mine, and we have the same in our club.  Blokes moving up from 2nd's to 1st's and not fulfilling the same role.  If you a top order bat, that's what you should be in whatever team you play!

[richthekeeper]

i hear you pie-man, but i must say i move up to fill in with the gloves - not on merit! there's a big difference in standard from 2s to 1s; i average around 40 for the 2s and less than 1 for the 1s!

anyway back to the original query, i accept that i should play myself in as per normal. however when you arrive at the crease in a run chase situation you can't afford to waste too many dot balls. i find this quite hard to deal with and usually get out cheaply because i'm trying to score off every ball.

[Blazer]

Play as many balls as other first team players to get your eye in and a little more because you are lacking in experience in the first team. If you have big shots in your arsenal, don't worry about blocking a lot to get your eye in as you will catch up. Have look at the established players above you while batting and do what they do or better.

[Chriss5471]

One tip I find useful when coming in later is to try and get off strike with singles so you can analyse the bowlers closer up for a ball or two, not a major tip really but just makes me more comfortable at the crease and see any movement in the pitch before getting on strike properly and the singles help you get your eye in.

[Pitbull]

I've always been a middle/ lower order batsman and I've never been able to tee off from ball one so I'd say the same just accumulate until you feel in, should be plenty of gaps in the last 20 overs for singles/ twos and just wait for the bad ball. But if that fails just heave it to cow!

[george_parv]

I am blessed with being able to go from ball 1 but I still do take 3 balls to try and access the pitch. Usually coming in later you already have a feel for the bowler and the outfield and field placements just need to go out there and bat, Its different because of all the different situations you find yourself in. In terms on opening its always reasonably similar whereas batting down the order you could be struggling to post even a low total or swinging as the games on the line in the chase.