A Batter is always on duty

A batter is always on duty

Most of the pleasure spectator’s gain from watching cricket is given by the batter, and the big difference between the batter and the rest of the players on the field is that the batter is always on duty. Nothing on the cricket field can give more satisfaction than a perfectly executed cover drive for four with the ball “kissing” the grass on the way to the boundary, or a lofted straight hit for six back over the bowler’s head. The batter sets the tone for the pace of the game and the enjoyment factor for spectators by the way they go about their task. Remember that full-tosses, half-volleys and long-hops are bad balls and should be hit to the boundary every time, no matter what the state of the game. 

Waiting for your turn

No matter what your number in the batting order, be ready for your turn. Have all your gear at hand, be an active watcher by studying the bowlers, fielders and tactics of the opposition. Be close to the captain or coach, so that last-minute instructions can easily be given. However, don’t be too early in getting ready. Two batsmen padded up is enough. If you get nervous, stand up and walk around. Be aware that having some nerves is natural; you need to learn to control them. 

Bats

Using the correct size bat is vital to your development as a young cricketer. A common error for young cricketers is to purchase a bat that is too heavy, which leads to technique and stroke play being negatively affected. The bat will be the right weight for you if you can play all the strokes with you in control, not the bat in control of you. You can try this simple test to check whether the bat is not too heavy for you: hold the bat out in front of you, parallel to the ground, by only your top hand. If you can do this for more than 30 seconds, the bat is not too heavy for you. This simple exercise can also be used as a method of strengthening your top-hand grip – a vital component of successful batting.

Carefully check the grain of the bat. Narrow grains are preferable to wide grains. Try and choose a bat with a minimum of twelve grains visible. If you are able, bounce a ball on the face of the bat. If the sound you hear is a hard sound, the bat will need more “knocking in” before it can be used. If the sound is softer, you will be able to use the bat more quickly, but it may be more likely to get small cracks or surface dents. 

Pads

It does not matter whether the buckles of your pads are on the outside or inside of your leg, as cricketers are divided on this issue. But make sure they are done up and the tabs are as hidden away as much as possible, as it is very annoying to be given out caught behind the wicket off one of them. Inexperienced umpires are often influenced into making “out” decisions based on noise, rather than what they have seen.

Your pads should fit in a way that you can run naturally.

Wearing a thigh pad is essential if you want to be confident in getting in to line with the ball. Taking a nasty, stinging blow to the unprotected thigh can often lead to lack of confidence and backing away to leg against quicker bowlers. 

Batting Gloves

Batting gloves should fit snugly, but allow you to open and close your hands in a normal fashion. Look for leather palms and full impact protection. Consider wearing batting inners to help soak up moisture and make sure you dry your gloves after play if they have become damp.

Mastering Batting

Mastering batting

You will probably agree that batting is the most enjoyable and exciting part of the game, but it is also the most difficult to master – especially as you probably have only one chance in each game. Successful batting involves not only knowing how to correctly play all the shots, but even more important, when to play them. This demands fine judgement of the flight of the ball.

You need to recognize very early the flight and line of the ball, and then where it will pitch and how high it will bounce. Only then can you choose which stroke to play and then go through with the stroke to bring bat and ball together through correct timing. This judgement will only come after years of regular practice.

Below are some general tips about batting:

• Batting is fundamentally about scoring runs. Practise safe scoring shots. Note that there is no such thing as a totally safe scoring shot – it’s all about minimising the risks. The safest attacking shot is the straight drive, as it is only an extension of the forward defensive shot.
• Defensive strokes are for keeping out straight deliveries that will hit the stumps. In effect, if the ball is not threatening the stumps, it should be left alone or scored off. Letting the ball go is a very safe shot. Never defend a wide delivery. Young players seem to think that every ball needs to be played at – it doesn’t!
• A good balanced stance will not guarantee success but it will help. The weight of the body should rest evenly and lightly on the balls of both feet, so that you can move quickly into line with the ball.
• It is difficult to achieve accurate timing when you have an incorrect grip. Make sure you have your bottom hand just touching your top hand, with both hands towards the top of the handle. Do not grip the bat too tightly with your bottom hand as you will find it difficult to play straight bat shots. Your top hand grip should be firm with your bottom hand loose when playing straight bat shots. You bottom hand should tighten only when playing cross-batted strokes.
• A faulty grip can often be traced to playing with too large or too heavy a bat.
• Most young cricketers tend to bowl short down the leg side, so learn to play the pull to help you score freely.
• If you want to consistently time the ball, don’t try and hit it too hard.
• Thoroughly learn the backward defensive stroke. This is the easiest stroke to master and makes it difficult for bowlers to get you out. If you are in difficulty, use this stroke until you have begun to sight the ball.
• In past years the forward defensive stroke was greatly over-emphasised. Players tended to play forward before correctly sighting the ball, which often got them into difficulties by being on the wrong foot. Don’t commit forward too soon! Let the ball hit the bat. Loosen the grip to “kill” the ball.
• If anticipated bounce is low, tend to play forward and play back if bounce is expected to be high.
• Bounce will tend to be higher when the ball is pitched shorter. Therefore look to play back to shorter deliveries and forward to fuller deliveries.
• To be a successful batter your head must be in line with the line of the ball. If your head is in the correct position, your feet will also be in the correct position. However the reverse is not necessarily true, so move your head before your feet.
• If you are having a bad patch with your batting, go back to basics. Have your coaching mentor check out your grip, stance and back lift.