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[Akewstick]

I read on here someone saying they spend all of their time at the non-strikers end doing "reconnaissance" about the bowler. I tend to get as tight into the stumps and see what he's bowling to try and figure out what his plan is and what his line n length tend to be etc. But as to his action or reading his body language, I can discern nothing, watching a fast bowler side-on from two feet away is just a blur.

Is there anything more productive I could be learning whilst down there?

[ProCricketer1982]

Thinking about tea or he pint to come, don't over think it.. The bowler isn't a pro, 99.9% sure he has a theory on what he wants to bowl but neither the skill or control to do it..

[Rob580]

Thinking where can the striker can hit it so i can hare up the other end and do some batting!

[Northern monkey]

If I'm at the non strikers end, I'm thinking I didn't hit it hard enough!

[smilley792]

If its ball 1 to 4 of the over. I'm backing up.  Ready to run. Spying which fielder users which hand and we're u can get that quick single. 

If it's ball 5 or 6. I'm sat on my bat thinking yeah no singles here mate. I'll take strike next over......

[swamidude]

I find it gives you a change of angle from which to survey the field, and it's easier to see the bounce and carry that the bowler is getting and then I can work out a plan to adapt to that.

I also pick out my weak fielders from this position and work out the game situation and how to play accordingly. Then when I'm striking I have fewer things to think about, and I can just focus on the next ball.

[InternalTraining]

Watch the bowler as he runs up. Which side is the shiny side? How is he releasing the ball for a particular delivery? Does he get close to the stumps for an out swinger or a leg cutter? Is he bowling with a pattern? 2 out and 1 in?

If none of this possible for you, then you can curse the other batter under your breath for stealing the strike, hogging more time in the nets, or bad hygiene. Whatever entertains your mind just no whistling when you get out.

[Seniorplayer]

Just watch to see if he is in his delivery stride before backing up.

[HallamKeeper]

I try to switch off as much as possible. Talk to the umpire and have a joke so that maybe the lbw is less likely. The only thing I try to look at is how the bowler holds the ball. On Saturday I noticed he was holding it cross seem so passed this onto the other batsman.

[RoCo Da Pixie]

I switch off from the job at hand and back up and expect to run a single every ball. With an early call of waiting or no if the striker decides to run a suicide single!

[jwebber86]

i dont concentrate on too much just back up and wait to run. most of the team i play with do like calling for runs they just start running

[RF]

I look for gaps in the field and also take note of which the feilders can / can't throw so we can target the weak ones.

Other than that I try to switch off a little inbetween balls a bit and relax.  I like talking to the umpires and opposition too.

 

[GarrettJ]

i think that was me

I watch what he does from his run up all the way in. does he do soem extra skip at the start to really put some more effort in? Where are his fingers on the seam ... is it a slower bowl or just his stock delver? Is it a spinner who gives his keeper a signal when doing a slower/faster/wide one down leg?

Once in delivery stride it is pointless looking at him, switch to concentrating on backing up

[FattusCattus]

I'm usually sitting with the bat-handle up my bottom, and the call for a quick single always comes as a complete surprise to me!

[golden duck]

I normally just try and be ready for a run, no matter which ball of the over it is.

Other than that I chat with teh umpire.

As a small aside - this weekend we had 4 near run outs at the bowlers end from a straight drive that was deflected on/just past teh stumps.  Luckily the one that hit the batsman wasn't backing up so wasn't out.  I wasn't getting back into my crease & one of the oppo wasn't getting back either!