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[Buzz]

Guys just to make sure everyone understands... I bat no. 4 in T-20, so very often I need to walk in and immediately swing for the fences.
The problem is, when you don't have the confidence that you're going to be able to clear the fielder, you either end up overhitting the shot or you don't bother attempting.

I don't believe you ever really need to come in and start swinging, unless it is a totally lost cause.
look at how Dhoni plays, yes he has made some misjudgements recently, but his record is extraordinary.

he always plays himself in first.

once you are in you should not think about hitting sixes, you should think about where the gaps in the field are, where your high percentage shots, medium to low risk shots are and seeks to work the gaps.

Adam Holioake said that 2020 is about trying to get 2 runs from every ball (outcome 240 runs in an innings) not trying to smash every ball for 6.

[Northern monkey]

That's fine as long as you have 20 overs to play with
Batting number 4, you might only have a few overs to score off
Hence his need to hit 6,s as soon as possible

[Buzz]

That's fine as long as you have 20 overs to play with
Batting number 4, you might only have a few overs to score off
Hence his need to hit 6,s as soon as possible

In the history of the game how many players have been able to considently walk in to bat and hit 6's from the off?

Aren't you setting yourself unreasonable expectations? Even Chris Gayle plays himself in... Who are the best finishers the game has seen, Hussey, Bevan, De Villiars, Kholi, Dhoni - all of them take a bit of time to play them selves in.
Only Sammy (of all people) I can think of who consistently walks out to bat and smashes 6's at the end of an innings. oh and then there is the madness of Afridi.

Batting at four you usually would come in around overs 7-12 - so 13-8 overs left - or 50+ balls. At 2 a ball that is more than 100 runs.

[smilley792]

I've had a look at my stats. Had to go back to 2010 as that's when I batted at 4. I have opened  in midweek since.

8 games, avg of 75 And a totally of 5 sixes hit all season.

 I did hit 28 4s which to me is where you wanna be aiming. Not everything has to be in the air.

[Northern monkey]

I said as soon as possible,, gotta get your eye in first
And in an earlier post, I said the key to t20 is to score from as many balls as possible, not a six a ball,,,a single from every ball,is as you said, enough to score big

This chaps asking advice on how to hit big,,,just offering a little bit on hitting over the rope

[rahul_1987]

Hitting sixes needs timing, technique and strength (usually good wrists and shoulders). First of all get a good bat, hit the gym to increase your strength and then practice the big shots in the nets working on your technique. Confidence will also work wonders for you. Just need to believe you can clear the boundary.

[Buzz]

strength for range hitting will come from your thighs and hips like in golf or baseball.

[crictech]

Not saying you have to hit 6's to be a good T20 batsman in league cricket but it is becoming more and more a marker. If you look at the top ranked T20 batsmen, Kohli, Finch, Hales McCullum, they all clear the boundary

[ProCricketer1982]

Not sure why people try and copy the pros. The crixket they play is so far removed from amateur cricket it's unreal. Low avg county pro minces top ECB prem bowling and these guys are many lvls below int t20 players etc etc

Pro vs amateur is just a non starter.

[Silver Bullet]

I don't think many people here play much t-20 cricket. Michael Clarke, Younis khan, Fawad alam could all take doubles with the best of them. None of them lasted long in the short form.

I don't have a problem with my stroke play, I have a problem with not getting enough distance on the shots I do middle.

I ussually come in when we need 70 off the last 7 or 50 off the last 5. Nobody can score consistently at 10 an over without hitting a few boundaries. If you don't get enough power, you have to work much harder to find the gaps. I am not asking how to hit a 6 off the first ball, I am asking, how to get more distance on my aerial shots when I do hit them.

In other words, how do you increase your bat speed...

[Kez]

ProCricketer is right, the Pro game is a totally different game. The womens game is closer aligned to club cricket.

The simple answer is practice it, work out what is best for you!
That could be: using a bigger bat, getting in the gym and being stronger, lifting the bat higher swinging harder.

Or if you aren't suited to hitting sixes and that is whats needed- get someone else to bat at 4? (harsh but if that is whats needed for the team?)

[Chad]

Might not be massively helpful, but you've just gotta hit balls, just keep practicing hitting balls. (Can be tennis ball throw downs) This will all help with your timing in general, and also with muscle memory of hitting balls. Having the shots ingrained deeper into your muscle memory means you will find it easier to increase bat speed without affecting your technique and shape, which will lead to you hitting the ball cleanly and more regularly.

[Seniorplayer]

Would using a heavy bat in the off season help increase bat speed ?

Why would this not be a great idea ?

An increase in your usual Bat weight would only allow you to hit the ball a greater distance if the bat is swung at the same speed as the lighter bat you are currently using and there is no loss of timing but if a slower bat swing is used due to the bat being heavier it will not.
Therefore your normal lighter bat would hit the ball further due to bat speed being faster.

[ProCricketer1982]

ProCricketer is right, the Pro game is a totally different game. The womens game is closer aligned to club cricket.

The simple answer is practice it, work out what is best for you!
That could be: using a bigger bat, getting in the gym and being stronger, lifting the bat higher swinging harder.

Or if you aren't suited to hitting sixes and that is whats needed- get someone else to bat at 4? (harsh but if that is whats needed for the team?)

It's all part of the same issue. Because of limited overs cricket (win/lose) it's purely about run rates (both batting and bowling). That's why most players now are nothing more than flat track hitters. People with good technique and the mental ability to occupy the crease and not slog are being forced out the game. So the guys who simply can't 'hit big', BUT could bat far longer and are better bats than the biffers end up slogging or simply not playing.

Bowling suffers too, it's about economy and not wicket taking now. Simply set defensive fields and bowl tight.. Wait for the biffers to have to slog and get wickets. Woo.. Great cricket

It's hard to fix and I'm sure there are no perfect answers. Youth are brought up on t20 so like to just walk it, biff, get out then. It field for long. It's just a shame Saturday league crixket isn't the pinnacle it used to be as its just like playing t20's only slightly longer.

As for power, realistically you are either a natural timer/striker or your not. You can improve by training (hitting balls), gym (physical power) etc. Some people just aren't big hitters of the ball, that's why there (in theory) used to be a role for them at the top of the order or at 6. Modern biring means there isn't a place for nudgers in the seasons going forwards

[Silver Bullet]

It's all part of the same issue. Because of limited overs cricket (win/lose) it's purely about run rates (both batting and bowling). That's why most players now are nothing more than flat track hitters. People with good technique and the mental ability to occupy the crease and not slog are being forced out the game. So the guys who simply can't 'hit big', BUT could bat far longer and are better bats than the biffers end up slogging or simply not playing.

Bowling suffers too, it's about economy and not wicket taking now. Simply set defensive fields and bowl tight.. Wait for the biffers to have to slog and get wickets. Woo.. Great cricket

It's hard to fix and I'm sure there are no perfect answers. Youth are brought up on t20 so like to just walk it, biff, get out then. It field for long. It's just a shame Saturday league crixket isn't the pinnacle it used to be as its just like playing t20's only slightly longer.

As for power, realistically you are either a natural timer/striker or your not. You can improve by training (hitting balls), gym (physical power) etc. Some people just aren't big hitters of the ball, that's why there (in theory) used to be a role for them at the top of the order or at 6. Modern biring means there isn't a place for nudgers in the seasons going forwards

So thank you, your post is spot on.

Players like me, with a more traditional game are being forced out of the game. On my league table, the top 10 batsmen all hit 17 sixes plus. The top 3 hit 40 sixes plus in 12-13 games. On full sized grounds and not totally crap bowling.

I agree... You are either a natural timer of the ball or you're not. I'd like to try anyway.... As I get older and older I will have less and less time to play full day matches.