Right guys,
It's time to start learning another aspect of batting. Facing left arm pace. Currently I just stay on middle stump, open up a bit more and that's it. Not that I have big dramas against it as I don't but I want to improve. So, is thinking about taking a mid/off or off guard instead. Reasons
It brings them fuller and onto my pads - runs
Potential for more leg side wides if hey get it wrong - runs
Easier to leave the one going across - not nicking it!!
In a position to pull for quicker, same with cutting.
So, my question is... Why shouldn't I do it? What is the best way to face leftie in swing/ straight on
Walking LBW, don't do it.
You need to understand how a left arm operates:-
Stock ball - inswinger, tailing from outside off on off/middle. The leftie is looking for bowled through the gate or LBW and you are playing right into his hands. Get to far across and you will lose you leg stick and miss runs going down leg.
Now let's say he's a decent left armer and can swing it both ways (like me). He's going to aim the outswinger at around leg/middle and leg, swinger to just outside off. Hooray you are saying, free runs, err no. You are bringing in LBW to the one that doesn't swing but it full and straight. If it swings then it's a leading edge playing to leg and if it starts wider then you still end up chasing it, but it will be miles outside off.
How to deal with a leftie imho - middle/middle and leg guard. Open up and make sure you front leg is on the line of leg stump. This is your stump guide. If you don't trigger then anything hitting that pad is not out as the angle means it's pitched outside of leg. You back leg is somewhere around middle and you only have 6 inches to move across to cover if it's the outswinger. Using your legs as guides, when the leftie bowls make a slight movement forward (forward press) and make a second late movement positive when you see the swing - across if it's the outswinger or a wide inswinger, or straight down the wicket for a straight inswinger. By doing this you are keeping your pads out of the way of the inswinger and giving yourself a chance of catching up with the outswinger if it's around off stick. If you have to reach further than that for the outswinger then you should leave it alone. Beauty of setting yourself up like this is you are nullifying the LBW and if the leftie get's too short bowling the outswinger you can pick him off with minimal width. If the inswinger goes too straight you are in a great position to put it through the legside, the outswinger going too straight down the ground. It's about standing still, watching the ball and playing late mostly.