Batting against slow bowlers

Hi guys, when I bat I find that I tend to have trouble facing slow bowlers. Not because of spin but the pace is far too slow. My main problem is shot selection. I automatically think that I have to hit it out of the park, even though I shouldn't. I'm wondering if any of you guys have this problem and if you did how did you "solve" it? Even if you didn't have this problem do you have any ideas of how to help me.

If you're new at the crease the first thing you don't want to do is advance down the pitch and slog it over the bowler's head. Trust me I've tried a few times, stumped nearly all of them. Only do this if you're confident that your whole body is behind the shot and take into consideration spin. Bat in your crease for a bit, put away the wide balls and use your feet. If you pick up the length of the ball early, maybe play a front foot shot to pick out the gaps.

i know how u feel. but ive worked out that when facing medium pacers and spinners is jsut to wait for the ball to come to u

like i make my feet move as late as possible. but also with spinners who pitch jsut short of a drive...which i think they are ment to. i find im always trying to hit off the back foot but im told that im ment to be driving but i cant cos its just short...ah well.

I would use full face of bat for a low full toss instead of paddling it. For spinners, the key is getting to the pitch of the ball and patience. If you have the patience, average spin bowlers will usually begin to lose it. In frustration they might as well serve a full toss in the slot. You also need to be good at using your feet against the spinners. This has been my problem as well. A spinner came and I spanked him for three consecutive fours but then got out going for a six. I tried to hit every ball which is bad. Patience is the key. 

Originally posted by inswinger i know how u feel. but ive worked out that when facing medium pacers and spinners is jsut to wait for the ball to come to u

Exactly, the key is to wait for the ball. When a spinner is bowling to me especially a loopy really slow spinner, i just hang on and stay almost motionless for as long as i can. I dont even lift my bat up until the ball is in mid-flight.

I think that the most inportant thing is to concentrate then you should be ok

nice post Tyke some good advice there.

Edited by Smack - 09 January 2008 at 2:59am

hi benkola13,

i have the same probem as you. becase i open the batting i am used to fast bowlers but struggle against the slow bowlers. sometimes i autimatically tend to start walking down the pitch which helps me get to the pitch of he ball. of course there is the chance of getting stumped, but i have good hand eye co-ordination which helps me hit the ball.

may not work for you, but just trying to help!

You need to get it out of your mind that you can hit him out of the park.

Treat him like you would a good bowler.  Rotate the strike, your first priority.
Secondly, play positively.  Not aggresively.
If you realize the difference between the two, you wont have trouble with the slow bowlers.
Thirdly, how do you respond to temptation in real life?  Maybe you need to work on that. 
It may sound silly, but my friend, we all play the game, the way we play our lives.  If you can strengthen your will power in your life, you can strengthen your game against tempting slow bowlers.