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[Silver Bullet]

My problem is I massively struggle against anything quicker than medium pace. I can block the ball all day long but struggle to go after the bowling - primarily because I pick up the ball too late.

How can I get better against the quicks ?

[Hoover]

Hi. Try this.
pick your bat up way earlier than you normally do . Even try taking your back your back foot across and back to near the off stump. From there you have and extra yard to pick up the ball and only your downswing to concern yourself with. the main thing is a way earlier pick up.It will feel wierd at first , but I hope you will find it makes dealing with the quicks more manageable.Youtube Alec Stewart, he did this really well.

[SOULMAN1012]

A couple of bit of help I can offer mate as I much prefer fast bowling to slow/medium.

First the misconception is that you need to "hit" the ball by this I mean smash it when you just need to make contact and have your weight going into the shot. A firm base will generate power from the solid base so a solid checked drive in a defensive manner will get you runs in using boundaries when times. By this is about having your head and weight coming forward and your back let solid so you don't walk when playing a shot as balance, power is all shot.

The second is a drill which is have people throw over arm from 17 yards this will get your reactions working quicker and if you do this for a 20mins or so every net until season starts you will him great nick to face any quick.

Hope that helps. I'm working on a more solid base this winter when in nets and with coaches at my club

[The Palmist]

It's  the swing which bothers me most.

[trypewriter]

I'm not in the same class as a lot of the bats on here, but I reckon bowling machines set at a sprightly pace are a huge help - you naturally get less time to pick the ball because of the way that it's delivered, but because of the consistency you can get into a bit of a groove and in my experience it's a big help in what Soulman suggests, getting a firm base.

[Seniorplayer]

Having the ability to block the ball try what Chris as suggested also pick your bat up higher before the ball is bowled that way  you only have to bring it down onto  the ball .. Also  to hit the ball with more power work on increasing your bat speed.

[Seniorplayer]

It's  the swing which bothers me most.

You are not on your own most batters struggle against fast in swinging Yorkers .

[arsenal123]

My main problem is the reverse swinging 90mph yorker.  The problem being I would never get near it.

Aside from that, left arm pace, but i've already made a thread on that!

[Seniorplayer]

My main problem is the reverse swinging 90mph yorker.  The problem being I would never get near it.

Aside from that, left arm pace, but i've already made a thread on that!

Yes and before you know it we have been whacked on the big toe.

[tushar sehgal]

Mindset is key too, if you go in thinking I can't score of fast bowling so I have to survive you will not score any runs. If you go in thinking where are my scoring opportunities and go in with a positive frame you will see a difference.

If you are good enough to block/defend against fast bowling then you are good enough to score runs against it, practise playing more in nets and keep in mind that you are trying to score and not defend. Once you get comfortable then take it to a match

[Buzz]

My problem is I massively struggle against anything quicker than medium pace. I can block the ball all day long but struggle to go after the bowling - primarily because I pick up the ball too late.

How can I get better against the quicks ?

If you can get in position to block then you can use the pace of the ball effectively - as Soulman and Hoover have also some good thoughts.

If you say you pick up the ball late - that is a little odd - when do you start watching the ball? I try to watch the seam of the ball in the bowlers hand from before he enters his delivery stride - most of the information you get about the delivery is held within the bowlers action, rather than reacting to the ball once it has left the bowlers hand.

[Silver Bullet]

If you can get in position to block then you can use the pace of the ball effectively - as Soulman and Hoover have also some good thoughts.

If you say you pick up the ball late - that is a little odd - when do you start watching the ball? I try to watch the seam of the ball in the bowlers hand from before he enters his delivery stride - most of the information you get about the delivery is held within the bowlers action, rather than reacting to the ball once it has left the bowlers hand.

I watch the ball from the hand too. I don't know where I lose it, but I find the ball is in the keepers glove by the time I react to it.

Also, someone suggested mindset. Here's the thing, I struggle to play 60 on a BOLA.

[Buzz]

in which case you may find that your head is dropping and you are not watching the ball through the release point.

It is quite common for people to look down as they play a shot (especially off the front foot) and take their eyes off the ball. You should try to get a video of you batting and that may help a little.

The thing is that there may be a couple of minor adjustments you could make - maybe to your posture or back lift that could help, but without seeing you play it is difficult to make a further assesment.

[Silver Bullet]

A couple of bit of help I can offer mate as I much prefer fast bowling to slow/medium.

First the misconception is that you need to "hit" the ball by this I mean smash it when you just need to make contact and have your weight going into the shot. A firm base will generate power from the solid base so a solid checked drive in a defensive manner will get you runs in using boundaries when times. By this is about having your head and weight coming forward and your back let solid so you don't walk when playing a shot as balance, power is all shot.

The second is a drill which is have people throw over arm from 17 yards this will get your reactions working quicker and if you do this for a 20mins or so every net until season starts you will him great nick to face any quick.

Hope that helps. I'm working on a more solid base this winter when in nets and with coaches at my club

Thank You. The second drill would definitely help.

I am thinking of spending the off season with the bowling machine set at 10 kph higher than what I can play. Then eventually dial it down to 5kph higher than what I can play today ?

Do you think that's a good but expensive way of tackling the issue ?

As for the firm base comment, Against genuine pace, I barely have enough time to react let alone get my body in position. Your comments are very helpful though, so thank you.

[Silver Bullet]

in which case you may find that your head is dropping and you are not watching the ball through the release point.

It is quite common for people to look down as they play a shot (especially off the front foot) and take their eyes off the ball. You should try to get a video of you batting and that may help a little.

The thing is that there may be a couple of minor adjustments you could make - maybe to your posture or back lift that could help, but without seeing you play it is difficult to make a further assesment.

Thanks. I'll post a video later today.