THE CRICKET CLINIC!!!

Hi, I am an opening batsman who averaged about 44 last season. This season I am averaging a little under 2 from 4 innings. My first dismissal was an unlucky run out for 7, when I felt in really good touch, and since then I have got 3 ducks in a row. The first I went for a horrible, horrible slog and got bowled through the gate, and the second and third I went to drive and was caught at point and cover.

What do you all do when you are down on confidence? I have tried to bat a little more defensively, but our other opening batsman is a very defensive player, so that doesnt really help the team. I dont really know what to do-I am working hard in nets, but my confidence is down and I am no longer getting into line. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'd say that the best thing to do is try to just play yourself in. Make sure as you start your innings you aren't playing shots with the bottom hand.

Edited by The Tyke - 08 June 2007 at 3:44pm

prehaps your going through your action too quick

What I think he's saying is that you have altered your action to flight the ball less, by releasing the ball lower. So now, when you go through your bowling action you are naturally releasing the ball lower to give less flight.

What you need to do is to slow your action down and practice releasing the ball higher. Then once you're used to it then you can speed up your action again.

Yep, I was going to say the samething tyke said. Yep, I guess you are bowling too slow. Your run up could be a factor too. When you pass the umpire, you need to rev up your run up and jump into the crease. Not a big jump though! Remember the basics, stay side on, bowl round arm, spin the ball up in the air and don't bowl it too fast.

Work with a medium pacer and ask them to bowl on a good driving length. And then practice as much as you can. Timing of the ball is something that becomes better with practice. Then, once you've started timing it better get a faster bowler and repeat.  

You are possibly gripping the bat too hard, other than that it maybe just a thing of using muscles you have not used in a while.

Thanks for the advice 143.  That might be the case.  I feel a little strange now when I play the stroke though, like for example when I play a forward defence the thumb on my bottom hand points down.  Is this normal?  I cant remember it happening it when I played in the past although it may be that I just didn't notice it then.

hi i'm gilchurch i'm an allrounder and i play cricket in qland and i was our clubs best batsman this season and i scored 5 hundreds and 10 fifties so i hope i can help you. if you want to hit a six against pace i suggest not to try and smash the ball as hard as you can and against spin you have to go harder because their isn't as much pace to use

As a batsman (im more of a bowler) i struggle to get myself playing on the off side, instead playing across the line to leg, and consequently getting bowled off stump or caught mid wicket trying to work the ball to leg.

Are there any methods/coaching techniques i can use to get myself playing to the off side correctly, its frustrating to me as i know i've got ability its just getting out of the leg side habit i can't do!!

Cheers in advance.
Duncan


Edited by Dunc2610 - 02 July 2007 at 4:49pm

If your dragging the ball to leg it means your bottom hand is coming too much into your shots.

any tips on how to get my timing right ?

I have a Problem with donkey bowlers ( spin bowlers who give the ball lots of flight then lands at your feet.) I'm an opener so I need to score runs .how can i score off them and not go out?

Originally posted by Blitz I have a Problem with donkey bowlers ( spin bowlers who give the ball lots of flight then lands at your feet.) I'm an opener so I need to score runs .how can i score off them and not go out?

Yea I try and slog it from my feet  but  I get bowld or lbw but sometimes I score so...  I will try advancing down the pitch use a nice wrist shot