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[hopwoodbear]

lost my cut/square drive...last had it back in 2010ish and used to plunder wayward 2ndXI attacks with ease, my favourite and most effective shot

still try to play it but can guarantee an incredible amount of playing and missing

has anyone had something similar happen?

probably happened gradualy as i started to bat more on leg stump and use my bottom hand to play off my legs

[ppccopener]

it's a darn sight easier to play with a lighter bat. Are you using the right weight?

[Buzz]

Has your grip changed? That is one likely issue.

Did you change your bat?

My view is that if you use the same bat for a period of time as you adapt your stroke play to the bat, which is why changing to a new bat/shape can be difficult. Finding a bat shape that works best for your all round game is the utopia position.

[Dario74]

I can sympathise, coming back to the game after a long time out I'm struggling to play the square cut. For me I think it's footwork related, I tend to look to get forward as the pitches are slower here, then I find when I rock back my timing is nowhere near what it used to be. Practicing with a back foot movement across then press forward,  which helps me to be in a better position. The movement across may help you if you're on batting on leg.
I also think the temptation is to hit the cut too hard, especially when there is less pace in the bowling and pitch.

[hopwoodbear]

grip hasnt changed, bats have!

gone from a lighter more traditional blade, newberys etc to a heavier bat with thicker edges

used to play a lot straighter with a lot less bottom hand

[hopwoodbear]

grip hasnt changed, bats have!

gone from a lighter more traditional blade, newberys etc to a heavier bat with thicker edges

used to play a lot straighter with a lot less bottom hand

hadnt given it much thought but it makes perfect sense that a different weight and type of bat will impact on your game and the shots you can play well

[Calzehbhoy]

grip hasnt changed, bats have!

gone from a lighter more traditional blade, newberys etc to a heavier bat with thicker edges

used to play a lot straighter with a lot less bottom hand

hadnt given it much thought but it makes perfect sense that a different weight and type of bat will impact on your game and the shots you can play well

There's your answer. If I pick up a heavier, less well balanced bat I lose the cut. As soon as I go back to a lighter better balanced bat the cut will come back. You'll either going to have to get used to this bat and it's balance/weight and spend a lot of time in the nets perfecting the cut again or go back to a bat that was similar to your old one.

[GoodLeave]

There's your answer. If I pick up a heavier, less well balanced bat I lose the cut. As soon as I go back to a lighter better balanced bat the cut will come back. You'll either going to have to get used to this bat and it's balance/weight and spend a lot of time in the nets perfecting the cut again or go back to a bat that was similar to your old one.

Uh oh.

This means he's going to have to buy a new bat...

Bad luck!  I wonder if the pads you're wearing are affecting the cut shot too... Best be on the safe side and get a new set of those too...

[ppccopener]

yup de-fault forum answer from everything from Brexit to the price of a sack of spuds.But it's true.

from experience you need a lighter bat and the shot will come back. I've spent a month with a heavier bat, trying to get used to it really doesn't work.

and sometimes it's not just weight it's the middle position, a 2lb 10oz bat can seem heavier than a 2lb 8oz one with a low middle

but i'm sure you know that.

light bat here we come!
 

[alexhilly1492]

Sounds like his gloves are also to heavy... New gloves too

[edge]

Alternative suggestion (though of course go and buy 3 new bats!) - I never used to be able to cut, then I spent a couple of winters netting every week on a surface that made the Waca look slow and low and was forced to cut in there as even full length balls would go through waist high. Smashed the square cut routinely for those couple of seasons, then when I stopped netting there I lost the shot again. Has there been any change in your training or the surfaces you're playing on?