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[Boondougal]

Well about 4 weekends ago i was fielding at a shortish (on the single) Extra cover and the first ball of a new bowler happened to be a well placed full toss at the perfect height for the opposition pro (who was on 80 odd and stroking the ball everywhere) to smash it full bore straight at me. I initially saw it coming so raised my hands (fingers up) but then lost it in the dark green trees in the background. The ball went through my hands without really touching them and smashed into me square on the chest... right on my sternum. Annoyingly thats about the only semi solid bit on my entire torso so it bounced straight off me, no chance to snaffle it.

Ok dropping the ball is nothin new for me but this was different, i just didn't get anything on it - i didn't see it... and that is not like me at all. It really shook me up as if it had been 10cm higher it would have smashed me in the mouth and who knows what damage that would have done.. the ball was traveling so fast. (think pain here.. the looks are already beyond repair)

I had a hard few remaining overs in the field trying to keep my concentration and at tea i had to take myself off and calm down whilst sat under a tree. I did go out to bat and felt fine but subsequently i can feel i have a bit of the "broad" about me.

Unfortunately it worked out that due to family commitments and a holiday  was unable to play for 3 weeks so with the weekend arriving i booked a net last night at the cricket cave in stoke and FFS i couldn't stop myself from closing my eyes as i went to hit the ball. Especially anything body line or angled in. I must have looked like a complete beginner. Ok, i'm not the best bat in the world, infact i'm not even "that good" but the shots i do play i usually play with ok technique.

I started repeating over and over again... watch the ball, watch the ball and it would help but certainly not when the ball came into my waist or bounced up into my chest... i was simply just unable to keep my eyes open.

I think its a simple case of more practice and training myself to keep watching it but does anyone else have any tips / tricks / experiences that might help me out?

[ProCricketer1982]

Go back to tennis balls for stuff at your body, progress back to throws, then move to machine (slow speeds) and back to normal speeds. Easstenially just regain confidence (Hance starting slow and with tennis balls as you know it won't hurt )

[tim2000s]

Get as much padding on you as you can, then go and get some tennis ball throw downs that you know will bounce high and won't hurt. Then go for cricket ball from the bowling machine on a consistent length that you can get over and drive. Save the shortish stuff till you have the confidence back in the longish stuff.

[MD2812]

Get a bowling machine and go full Happy Gilmore until you're confident you're 'ard as nails!

[Boondougal]

Get a bowling machine and go full Happy Gilmore until you're confident you're 'ard as nails!

made me laugh out loud... mainly because i was using an automatic feeder last night and after about 10 very uncomfortable back of a length deliveries that have left me with bruises today i started charging the ball and just trying to connect in a very much... Yes i am KP style. Surprisingly i actually hit a few.

@tim2000s - definitely agree with the padding. I actually spent the second half of the session with my helmet on just to help the confidence, which it definitely did, Having said that all of a sudden my small mens pads seemed very small and i wished i was wearing a body suit!!!

All good advice guys (well mainly) much appreciated. Playing 2s at the weekend so i am hoping for a confidence boosting game int he field and with the Bat... i occasionally even bowl when int he 2's so who knows!!!

[Seniorplayer]

That's all you need confidence before helmets  i was smashed in the mouth by a short one 8 stitches caused me to turn my head sideways when batting for a while.
Confidence eventually returned though