Print

[wasted_talent]

So over the recent years, I have noticed how "batsmen" moan about guys bowling bouncers in nets.
Now, my view is, a bowler needs to practice all his various deliveries.  Thus bowling the "odd" bouncer should be allowed. As long as you don't over do it, and end up bowling several bouncers to the one batsmen.

Was wondering what other peoples views are on this?

[SteffanLangholz]

I dont mind if its a true weapon for the bowler during regular season.

What i do mind is the medium pacer who wouldnt be able to pull it off during regular season, who just loves the hard deck and ruins your chance of proper cricket practice. (proper being facing the bowler at what he is best at, not short balls being bad cricket)

[alexhilly1492]

Depends, if you play at a level or on a surface that allows a decent bouncer then that's fine as it s a delivery a batsman is likely to come up against

If you are unlikely to ever come up against anyone who is gonna get it up high enough, whether that's because of pace or the wickets you play on then there's no point

Why face bouncers all winter nets in hard indoor surfaces then come April and nothing gets above hip high.

[Kulli]

I think it depends on the surface.

I'm an offie but out winter nets are pretty bouncy and it's hard to resist the temptation to dobble in occasionally and unleash one.

That said at my pace people shouldn't be getting into trouble anyway, and we play on astro so the outdoor pitches are pretty bouncy also.

[wasted_talent]

Depends, if you play at a level or on a surface that allows a decent bouncer then that's fine as it s a delivery a batsman is likely to come up against

If you are unlikely to ever come up against anyone who is gonna get it up high enough, whether that's because of pace or the wickets you play on then there's no point

Why face bouncers all winter nets in hard indoor surfaces then come April and nothing gets above hip high.

To be fair, regardless of the surface, a bowler needs to have variation in his options, don't you think? So even if outdoors it may not get as high or reach as quick, dropping it short is an option that may be required at some point.

I agree that one shouldn't over bowl them in nets. As like you say, outdoors at club level, you aren't going to be bowling them that often.

I disagree with batsmen who moan and say it shouldn't be bowled at all indoors.

[Buzz]

I think you should ask a few questions.
1. Can you bowl bouncers outside, if not then don't try inside
2. What is the batsman working on in the net session. If he wants lots if short balls, great. If he wants balls in tge channel help grove that aspect of your bowling.
3. What are you as a bowler looking to get out of your net session, what are you working on.
4. How realistic is the net you are in. The old Bank od England ones were above a swimming pool and RAPID and even a length ball swung and bounced, it was rubbish practice for everyone!

[Mpt7]

it's all about levels, ego and having good practice behaviors.
 - if a batter wants to practice the short ball and the bowler is keen the crack on
 - if you are doing match simulation then you would bowl an over of bouncers in the summer?
 - Oh and tailenders complaining is not allowed as this is what they could face in the middle at the end of an innings

if you want to make it more realistic change the ball to one that swings and seams but doesn't bounce as much, there are some good indoor balls, or double matt the quicks net

Oh and if you want to practice something probably not best to do it against a variety of bowlers
-try bowling overs
-facing throw downs
-side arms
- even the bowling machine to groove shorts and movement patterns

I've played on wickets in April that have seamed and bounced like nothing I have seen before so as a batsman you have to prepare for everything

[roco]

Can only echo what has been said

I always tell people bowl and bat like you would in a game unless practicing a specific delivery or shot

If you wouldn't dig it in outside don't do it indoor

Unlucky for me we have 2-4 guys who bowl it outdoor at decent pace so I cant complain too much but gives me practice as well as I face short bowling.

[ABello1]

is it not the same as batters who just slog bowlers who are trying to get back to their lengths after a winter off  bit of respect from both ends in my view

[The Cricket Boutique]

I think it also depends on the quality of bowlers. Some of what you face in nets are players that will never bowl outdoors and don't really know what they are doing. They may not have any control of where they pitch the ball so some leeway has to be given.

If its a quick who just likes banging it in to try and hit people then that's a bit out of order. I tend to try and pick the net where the better bowlers who bowl "properly" are.

[Seniorplayer]

I think the. Lesser  batsman who's paid his  money for  his 10 mins net practice should be considered how benificial the practice is by  the bowlers who are trying to knock his head off.

[aman]

As a batsmen you shouldn't have any issue with what a bowler is putting down. You should be good enough to be prepared to face anything, smash a couple out of sight and they'll know where to bowl it.

[TGB1997]

I don't mind facing the odd bouncer in the nets, but it really frustrates me when bowlers constantly bowl bouncers it doesn't give you any time to practice the similar length of the majority of deliveries in matches. As a colt breaking into adult cricket I was regularly given a session of bouncers from everyone the quicker bowlers, the dobblers and even the spinners. It was difficult to build confidence but I guess in the long term it kinda worked as I'm fairly strong of the back foot now but it is annoying only facing short balls.

[Calzehbhoy]

Depending on the hall I have to tell our bowlers whether they can bowl bouncers or not.

A couple of the halls we net in have an almost breeze block back wall and I really struggle to pick the ball out so bouncers are out the question. If we're in a dedicated cricket hall or one with a white back wall then I enjoy the challenge of bowlers trying to hit me.

[Seniorplayer]

As a batsmen you shouldn't have any issue with what a bowler is putting down. You should be good enough to be prepared to face anything, smash a couple out of sight and they'll know where to bowl it.

Tell that to the number 11 who as just been hit  In the face by his team mate.