The best Batsmen

The best batsmen

The highest class of batsmen are often not the flashiest stroke makers; they are the ones who make the least mistakes. In other words, they are the best thinkers about their batting. They are well-organised, planning carefully for each innings. They analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition bowlers and are aware of where each fielder is placed. They play within their own limitations, eliminating high-risk strokes from their game. They have an unruffled temperament, never letting the bowler know that they have got them rattled. They hate getting out.

Acclimatising your eyes

While you are waiting for your turn to bat, make sure you sit in the same light as the players are experiencing on the ground. Do not be tempted to sit in the dark confines of the dressing room as you will struggle to pick up the path and bounce of the ball at the start of your innings.

Pass the outgoing batter

Help to keep the game moving by passing the dismissed or retired batter before he/she has left the ground. The time taken for batters to change places is dead time and should be reduced to a minimum. 

Taking guard

When taking guard, say please and thank you to the umpire. You never know……. The guard you take is up to you, but be aware that taking middle does bring your legs into line with the stumps and make you more vulnerable to lbw decisions. Taking guard on middle and leg is a common choice and takes the pads away from the line of the stumps. If you are tall for your age, a leg stump guard may be right for you. 

Starting your innings

Unless the game situation demands you attack from the first ball, you will have some time to play yourself in. This involves learning about the pace and bounce of the pitch, getting your feet moving, studying what the bowler is doing, focusing your eyes on the ball and so forth. Learn to leave deliveries that are not threatening your stumps and play in the “V” with a straight bat to cut down the risk factors. If, for the first few overs, you aim to play with a dead straight bat in front of the wicket, you will almost certainly still be batting and starting to find the ball becoming easier to see and judge.
It is important, however, not to allow yourself to get bogged down as this will give the bowler a psychological advantage over you. Start by looking for singles to get your run tally underway. If your batting partner has been at the wicket for some time, play a supporting role, remembering though that a bad ball is a bad ball whenever it is delivered and it should be despatched to the boundary if it can be done so with a straight bat, even if it is the first ball you have faced in your innings.

Memorize the gaps in the field. As you build your innings assess the wicket, the influence of the weather, the standard and types of bowling, and the standard of fielding.