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[brokenbat]

So after ending last season on a high, and looking really good all winter in the nets - I have had a sudden onset of atrocious form. Today, I tamely patted back a half volley on middle (my bread and butter), and then missed a slow yorker to get bowled for a duck.

Pretty sure its mental - just need to get my head in order before the next game...but obviously easier said than done.

I think the challenge is that I have moved down the order from my usual opening position (different team/league), and so its been tricky preparing for my innings. As an opener, I knew when I'd be going, and I'd be at maximum mental intensity at just the right time. NOW, I either burn myself out mentally before I even get to bat, OR I am TOO relaxed (like today).

Any suggestions (other than buying a new bat obviously)?

[horseman]

Routine, I opened then dropped down, to then move back up. I would lap the ground constantly to keep active and not sit there overthinking or take a book. Another thing I found is that you have to be more patient and wait for the ball to come to you. Rather than use the pace of the new ball.

[Seniorplayer]

So after ending last season on a high, and looking really good all winter in the nets - I have had a sudden onset of atrocious form. Today, I tamely patted back a half volley on middle (my bread and butter), and then missed a slow yorker to get bowled for a duck.

Pretty sure its mental - just need to get my head in order before the next game...but obviously easier said than done.

I think the challenge is that I have moved down the order from my usual opening position (different team/league), and so its been tricky preparing for my innings. As an opener, I knew when I'd be going, and I'd be at maximum mental intensity at just the right time. NOW, I either burn myself out mentally before I even get to bat, OR I am TOO relaxed (like today).

Any suggestions (other than buying a new bat obviously)?

Forget the mental side with regard to burn out etc quite simply you like me are an opener we think differently and know our role in the team and are used to facing the new ball. To bat anywhere else in the team  you need time to adapt. Also playing in a different team doesn't help. Personally I would ask if I could open the innings. Also as an opener your mindset is not used to you hanging around waiting to have a bat.

[LDifa]

I'm doing my usual of picking out fielders, just not finding the gaps at the moment, so what could be a promising start sees me still not scoring enough! It is so frustrating

[Seniorplayer]

I think most batsman go through that next time you are at the crease before you start batting  have a you have a look around and visualise where the gaps are rather than the fielders .

[ProCricketer1982]

Just keep batting, it's just one of those things

[OwzatOllie]

I'd scored 7 runs from my 4 innings before yesterday, with a top score of 4.  Got 13 yesterday but played a hell of a lot better than I have done this year.  Was getting right forward with the head over the ball and playing the majority of balls down to the bowler or to mid on and mid off.  Saw one slightly wide and full and didn't get over it, gave a nice catch to the guy at mid off... Grrr!

Overall, pretty happy to get some time out there apart from the loose shot after getting myself in!

[jamielsn15]

I feel your pain. I've been moved down to 3 from opening to ensure I have the best chance to make runs and it's had the adverse effect! I've found myself pacing, shadow batting and generally fidgeting while waiting to go in and so far spooned one to mid off and missed a straight Yorker leg before. I've asked to go back to facing first ball which my skippers agreed to. Explain why you want to move back...

[Seniorplayer]

I feel your pain. I've been moved down to 3 from opening to ensure I have the best chance to make runs and it's had the adverse effect! I've found myself pacing, shadow batting and generally fidgeting while waiting to go in and so far spooned one to mid off and missed a straight Yorker leg before. I've asked to go back to facing first ball which my skippers agreed to. Explain why you want to move back...

Because you are an opening bat !.

[jamielsn15]

^ Abso-frickin-lutely!

I had a couple of low scores opening at the end of last season, so the skipper decided to move me down to 3 and 4 for the last couple of games.  I scored 0 and...0!

Leaving aside the fact that I'm probably not that good, his logic was 'you're our best bat, I want to avoid you getting that early magic ball, so you can bat at 3.'  I said I'd prefer to open, it's where I've always played my best innings and two games in I haven't hit double figures.

I would much rather go in first than sit around having to think, which I hope  doesn't sound too crazy.  I guess for an opening bat the mentality is very different, and I didn't realise how much until this season...

[Alvaro]

Just keep batting, it's just one of those things

i tend to agree. It's easy to over complicate...

[ppccopener]

same thing here, opened the batting since I was 14, now moved to number 3 in my late(!) forties

spent the first part of the game(as we started batting) pacing up and down !!!!

It may be only a number but without wishing to go all psycho babble a couple of hours before the game I have always been prepared to bat, during tea I've always gone off 10 mins early to sit in the changing rooms on my own-preparing to bat.

Am I going nuts at number 3 or do I need to 'buy a new bat' having categorically sais on this forum I am using the same bat all year.....

[ProCricketer1982]

same thing here, opened the batting since I was 14, now moved to number 3 in my late(!) forties

spent the first part of the game(as we started batting) pacing up and down !!!!

It may be only a number but without wishing to go all psycho babble a couple of hours before the game I have always been prepared to bat, during tea I've always gone off 10 mins early to sit in the changing rooms on my own-preparing to bat.

Am I going nuts at number 3 or do I need to 'buy a new bat' having categorically sais on this forum I am using the same bat all year.....

Changing position does require a specialist new bat for the role, then you'll be in the runs

[Seniorplayer]

^ Abso-frickin-lutely!

I had a couple of low scores opening at the end of last season, so the skipper decided to move me down to 3 and 4 for the last couple of games.  I scored 0 and...0!

Leaving aside the fact that I'm probably not that good, his logic was 'you're our best bat, I want to avoid you getting that early magic ball, so you can bat at 3.'  I said I'd prefer to open, it's where I've always played my best innings and two games in I haven't hit double figures.

I would much rather go in first than sit around having to think, which I hope  doesn't sound too crazy.  I guess for an opening bat the mentality is very different, and I didn't realise how much until this season...

.                                                                                                                 You are right opening bats man have a different mentality  put it in reverse how many middle order batsman at any level can successfully open the batting for exsample no disrespect to him but look at Johnathan Trott as for your Captains early magic ball comment that's just poor  he has told you you are the teams best batsman therefore he needs to allow you to bat where you are most suited at number 1.

[Kulli]

I've only just this season switched to opening as our previous openers are now hardly ever available, and I found it bliss to know when you'd be needed to bat, rather than sat at the sideline waiting. I still try to avoid facing the first nut if I can though.