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[mo_town]

To all the top order batsmen posting on this thread....you will never understand what it feels like ... Maybe its the way batsmen are glorified more than bowlers on the international stage; but I feel everyone secretly aspires to be a batsman even if they may be a top bowler. Bowlers are invariably treated as second class citizens. I think subconsciously that bias definitely exists at all levels.

[Jimbo]

In UK club cricket I think that probably has a lot to do with the fact it's much easier to be a reasonably economical, wicket taking bowler than it is to score runs on a semi consistent basis.

[edge]

I reckon it's got a lot to do with the fact that even if you're a born number 12 bat then you do at least occasionally have to stick your pads on, but specialist batsmen not bowling is pretty normal so there's no aspiration there.

[ProCricketer1982]

In UK club cricket I think that probably has a lot to do with the fact it's much easier to be a reasonably economical, wicket taking bowler than it is to score runs on a semi consistent basis.

I disagree (as someone who only opens). I find it far easier to bat than bowl as the roads that are produced now make batting very easy. 99% of the time, the only way a batter gets out is because we are crap and make errors or the format dictates you have to try and slog a good ball and so.. you get out.. neither is because of good bowling (other than landing it in the right place as much as possible, although, how many times does the crap ball actually get the wicket!!!)


Both skill sets are dumbed down now to a point where batting takes less and less skill and bowling is just about not bowling pies and putting men out for the inevitable slog

[ProCricketer1982]

I reckon it's got a lot to do with the fact that even if you're a born number 12 bat then you do at least occasionally have to stick your pads on, but specialist batsmen not bowling is pretty normal so there's no aspiration there.

sadly, the modern format doesn't reward 8+ batsmen at all. Draw cricket rewards them by giving them something to fight for.. either the win OR the draw.. in win lose.. if you realistically can't win (most games) then you're down to.. umm... yeah, not much point batting

[Jimbo]

I disagree (as someone who only opens). I find it far easier to bat than bowl as the roads that are produced now make batting very easy. 99% of the time, the only way a batter gets out is because we are crap and make errors or the format dictates you have to try and slog a good ball and so.. you get out.. neither is because of good bowling (other than landing it in the right place as much as possible, although, how many times does the crap ball actually get the wicket!!!)


Both skill sets are dumbed down now to a point where batting takes less and less skill and bowling is just about not bowling pies and putting men out for the inevitable slog

Do you by any chance play quite a decent standard? I maybe play on one or two tracks a year that lend themselves to run scoring better than medium pace bowling, but at the lower end there's not the same investment in pitches.

[mo_town]

Do you by any chance play quite a decent standard? I maybe play on one or two tracks a year that lend themselves to run scoring better than medium pace bowling, but at the lower end there's not the same investment in pitches.

Yes, I agree with this. Definitely the pitches in the middle/lower divisions are quite tricky to bat on. Add to that, general lack of consistency from the bowlers makes it quite tough since you could potentially get a mixed bag each over. You will have a bowler half a half tracker and the very next ball would land on a perfect length, which is why the batsmen that generally score bucket loads of runs are the ones that block well and can be patient for long times. Having been lucky enough to play at different levels in the UK; I am of the opinion that for someone with a decent technique, batting is easier in higher leagues as compared to lower leagues.

This is also one of the reasons why bowlers in mid/lower div teams feel that they should be batting higher up...as they see the top order batsmen block/dead bat a lot of deliveries and feel that they could do a much better job scoring.

[ProCricketer1982]

Yes, I agree with this. Definitely the pitches in the middle/lower divisions are quite tricky to bat on. Add to that, general lack of consistency from the bowlers makes it quite tough since you could potentially get a mixed bag each over. You will have a bowler half a half tracker and the very next ball would land on a perfect length, which is why the batsmen that generally score bucket loads of runs are the ones that block well and can be patient for long times. Having been lucky enough to play at different levels in the UK; I am of the opinion that for someone with a decent technique, batting is easier in higher leagues as compared to lower leagues.

This is also one of the reasons why bowlers in mid/lower div teams feel that they should be batting higher up...as they see the top order batsmen block/dead bat a lot of deliveries and feel that they could do a much better job scoring.

I've seen many worse techniques in WEPL or Northants prom/div 1 than lower county leagues.. what these other players have is usually a must better eye and a careless attitude with their wicket so go out and just go for it . Teams higher up are backing themselves on roads to rack up 300 plus most games and accept the games when they get skittled.. or moan when it's not a road of course, that's also a favourite of those teams.

I can understand it btw, win lose promotes this style of play above all else as there is no reason to play any other way

[AJ2014]

We're lucky enough to have 2 home ground with covers.
Most of the time they are not lotteries to bat on 😀
Have to bat and bowl well to win games.

[mo_town]

We're lucky enough to have 2 home ground with covers.
Most of the time they are not lotteries to bat on 😀
Have to bat and bowl well to win games.

Arent you based in UAE? My memory of tracks there was of flat roads/dust bowls.  No wonder, you feel like you can bat higher

[AJ2014]

Arent you based in UAE? My memory of tracks there was of flat roads/dust bowls.  No wonder, you feel like you can bat higher

😀😀😀
I wish..
No I am in London, playing Surrey league

[AJ2014]

This.. don't just give it away if you bat 8+ for the sake of it just because the format is all tonk tonk. If you can chase it then great, go for it.. if you can't though, just bat for points. Waste of a Saturday/Sunday just gifting your wicket away, especially when 99% of wickets taken on a Saturday aren't really due to bowlers but simply the format.

Once I said let's chase it, like 8 an over, after few overs realised, tick tick is the only way and drew the game
I hate giving away my wicket!

[AJ2014]

To all the top order batsmen posting on this thread....you will never understand what it feels like ... Maybe its the way batsmen are glorified more than bowlers on the international stage; but I feel everyone secretly aspires to be a batsman even if they may be a top bowler. Bowlers are invariably treated as second class citizens. I think subconsciously that bias definitely exists at all levels.

Trust me, bowling at stages in a the game when all those top order batter stressed out, due to go many runs being posted or wickets not been taken, wishing to win the games in tight situations, which isn't in their control any more!
Isn't it a great kick to be a bowler and winning the game for your team?

[AJ2014]

Yes, I agree with this. Definitely the pitches in the middle/lower divisions are quite tricky to bat on. Add to that, general lack of consistency from the bowlers makes it quite tough since you could potentially get a mixed bag each over. You will have a bowler half a half tracker and the very next ball would land on a perfect length, which is why the batsmen that generally score bucket loads of runs are the ones that block well and can be patient for long times. Having been lucky enough to play at different levels in the UK; I am of the opinion that for someone with a decent technique, batting is easier in higher leagues as compared to lower leagues.

This is also one of the reasons why bowlers in mid/lower div teams feel that they should be batting higher up...as they see the top order batsmen block/dead bat a lot of deliveries and feel that they could do a much better job scoring.

Totally agree with you on this, 👍

[AJ2014]

In UK club cricket I think that probably has a lot to do with the fact it's much easier to be a reasonably economical, wicket taking bowler than it is to score runs on a semi consistent basis.

Surrey league is toughest of all, nothing is easy hit 😀 or go and hit around, it's likely, did dig dig 🙂