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[Woodyspin]

So in the nets this year ive picked up the short ball really well of the quicks.

However today and yesterday been out twice on the same track, the ball being on me too quick and being caught, splicing it. In hind sight i should have tried to hook them but with a total to chase at around 5/6 an over the mindset was to hit everything i felt like i had that opportunity.

Any advice on not getting out like this again? I would like to be able to hit those shots eventually so some training ideas would be good also, i had thought about tennis balls at 85 on a short length from the bowling machine just to get use to picking it up quicker?

[ProCricketer1982]

Sometimes it's just luck. I am good against the short ball and can hit balls on a machine at decent speed but managed to get out hooking yesterday. Just happens

[Woodyspin]

Hmm maybe I'm just backing myself too much, if i know they are quickish maybe leave the really short ones alone? I dont know...

[ProCricketer1982]

Hmm maybe I'm just backing myself too much, if i know they are quickish maybe leave the really short ones alone? I dont know...

Put it away until you're in. Don't be a happy hooker

[ElPerro]

If there's no third man try the uppercut over the slips, because it's more of a guide and less of a full swing it should be easier to control

[Woodyspin]

Problem is picking the length quick enough to be in position i think, i know its short but cant get into position quickly and it beats me for pace.

[Jlscarroll17]

I normally wait until I'm use to the pace of the wicket as the pull shot is my best shot, so the way I approach it is to get use to the pace of the wicket and see what the bounce is like and then once I'm in I'll take it on whenever the ball is short enough to do so

[Churchy1989]

Problem is picking the length quick enough to be in position i think, i know its short but cant get into position quickly and it beats me for pace.

I feel the best solution is to buy a new bat! must be your bats fault! 

[Woodyspin]

I feel the best solution is to buy a new bat! must be your bats fault! 

funny that i bought one on friday!

[Churchy1989]

funny that i bought one on friday!

Don't tease me!

What you got?

[Woodyspin]

Don't tease me!

What you got?

Hellfire LB, and as per forum rules it doesn't exist yet as i have no pictures because it literally doesn't exist. I'm waiting for Matt to make it and Jake to knock it in!

[edge]

Pro's not wrong, don't go after them til you're feeling in! If you're smashing the short ball in the nets then I doubt there's much a technical problem as net surfaces are usually quicker/bouncier than a proper wicket, but sometimes it just isn't worth the risk taking the short ball on. The pull shot is easily my strongest and most productive, but I've played games where against certain bowlers on a quick track I've had to just get out the way of the short ball as it's too risky with the field set. As soon as you figure out a bowler is going to be banging it it, weigh up your options for shots you can play - if you can't find a shot you're happy with then just get out of the way, as I'm sure you know the bowler will go back to bowling full pretty quickly if you don't look bothered by the short ones!

As far as drills go, the best I've heard suggested is aiming the machine in short and standing down the pitch so that you're playing it as a full length, then gradually moving where you stand backwards until you're at the crease as normal and happily playing the short ball you've adjusted to.

[Boondougal]

So in the nets this year ive picked up the short ball really well of the quicks.

However today and yesterday been out twice on the same track, the ball being on me too quick and being caught, splicing it. In hind sight i should have tried to hook them but with a total to chase at around 5/6 an over the mindset was to hit everything i felt like i had that opportunity.

Any advice on not getting out like this again? I would like to be able to hit those shots eventually so some training ideas would be good also, i had thought about tennis balls at 85 on a short length from the bowling machine just to get use to picking it up quicker?

I'm not sure i would be using a tennis ball, i would have thought the characteristics of the bounce would train you into an un realistic expectation.

I think you have had some good advice and the last drill suggested seems really good.

[Woodyspin]

I'm not sure i would be using a tennis ball, i would have thought the characteristics of the bounce would train you into an un realistic expectation.

I think you have had some good advice and the last drill suggested seems really good.

Well i had done it a few years ago, at a quick enough speed the bounce in a short space isnt 'tennis ball like' (ironic right?). but this was with a qualified coach down at Sussex. and thought maybe someone else had tried similar?

im trying to visualize that drill but struggling, either of you find a video that replicates this?

[tom line]

Saw a video of England training a while back against the short ball. You'd have a batsmen and then a coach about 15 yards from the batsmen who'd hit the tennis balls with a tennis racquet into the pitch, but the halls were dropped in water first so they were a bit heavier and dampened the bounce a bit making it more realistic. Might be worth a try with your net/wet weather bat of course