Batting and Bowling Help

[Dan]

Okay, lets start with the bowling.

I'm an offie/leggie who can't turn the ball a whole lot. That's the problem that needs solving. When I bowl front-of-the-hand offies, I'll dart them in on a decent length and a semi-decent line, occasionally getting a couple of inches of turn (If I'm lucky) and mixing up the pace and flight. I've been mildly successful this season, taking 4 or 5 wickets for 55 from 20-odd overs in 4 games. So yeah, any tips on turning offies?

Then there's the leg spinners. I've taken some tips from a former 5th Grade (Aus) spinner who now plays with my Dad's team. Y'know, driving through with the right knee and hip and bringing the bowling arm down outside the left hip to pull your body that way slightly. When I land them, there are 2 results. One is basically a topspinner that does nothing, and the other (less frequently) a rip-snorter of a googly that turns a mile. Yep, I'm a leggie who can't turn a leggie. My wrist over-rotates a bit which causes everything to come out like a wrong 'un, and my arm is a bit too vertical, but what else can I do to get some turn??


Now, the batting problem. So, I've been juggled around the order recently (9 to 7 to opener over the course of the last couple of games) and keep getting starts, but can't go on with them. I've had an 8* (batting to save us from outright at 7), with both scoring shots being fours from beautifully timed pulls and cover drives, an 11 for school (opening) and a 13 (no. 5) as well. Almost every time I've been bowled by a straight one, just clipping the edge, onto the pad and then onto middle stump. Its a concentration problem more than anything else. I hit about 20 minutes in the middle and just completely lose focus, since I haven't batted longer than that in the nets or anywhere else. Any ideas?

Sorry for the reasonably long read and multitude of problems, but some help would be much appreciated.

 

[chyickenkeev]

for bowling, i would say specialise in one, being a finger spinner myself, i have some quite useful advice to share.

grips do vary somewat, but il presume u have an orthodox grip.
to make it turn more dont point your thumb square of the wicket
point it behind you,mid off or cover if you are a righty, mid on or mid wicket if u are a leftie, then rip your fingers diagonaly across the seam to get spin.


the batting is more mental than technique i think.

make a ritual of wat u do b4 and during batting, the order of putting your pads on, practicing shots etc.

after every shot, judge yourself out of ten.
dont think about the ball just gone like "oh **** that nealry went to the slips ,that was awful" think about the next one.

be positive, talk to yourself positively.

do something that relaxes u between bowls, loosening up, practicing shots etc

between overs chat to your partner about the game situation and at the end of the convo talk about a random subject, wa ur doing later, a date your going on, a film your watching, this will giv u more confidence cos your vision of the pitchis now more friendly so you can let your talent take over.

also, it helps if your batting partner is a good mate of yours, cos then u can av a bit of a laugh in the middle so the pressures off.

talking of laughs, learn a feww jokes, tell them to ur partner in the middle,

i maintain it as one of the most stupid thing i av ever done but it was brilliant, i stored a kit kat in my pads and between one of the overs i pulled it out and said "av a break! av a kitkat"

all those things tend to work for me

 

[someblokedave]

Yeah - you've got to make some decisions there - the biggun is what kind of a bowler am I? At the moment you're a bit of dibbly dobbler by the sounds of it, but surely being an Aussie it's straight forward you don't want to look like a big galah bowling off-spin, surely you want to follow in the steps of the greatest bowlers in cricket history (Grimmett and Warne) and bowl the real stuff.... Wrist Spin?

With regards the batting I'm all at sea so I can't help - maybe you can help me?

 

[Dan]

Yeah - you've got to make some decisions there - the biggun is what kind of a bowler am I? At the moment you're a bit of dibbly dobbler by the sounds of it, but surely being an Aussie it's straight forward you don't want to look like a big galah bowling off-spin, surely you want to follow in the steps of the greatest bowlers in cricket history (Grimmett and Warne) and bowl the real stuff.... Wrist Spin?

With regards the batting I'm all at sea so I can't help - maybe you can help me?

I think I'll go with the wrist spinners, just because of how damn good your blog is. I've been a wristie since U/10's (my U/8's coach had the 'pace is the only way' mentality), but recently turned offie because I couldn't land it. But yeah, a slight change to the grip (the 'eating an apple' one referred to in your blog) could be a key thing to get some nice turn away from the right hander. Really informative blog, thanks a bunch. Goof thing I have training tomorrow.

What do you need help with batting-wise?

 

[someblokedave]

I think I'll go with the wrist spinners, just because of how damn good your blog is. I've been a wristie since U/10's (my U/8's coach had the 'pace is the only way' mentality), but recently turned offie because I couldn't land it. But yeah, a slight change to the grip (the 'eating an apple' one referred to in your blog) could be a key thing to get some nice turn away from the right hander. Really informative blog, thanks a bunch. Goof thing I have training tomorrow.

What do you need help with batting-wise?

Everything mate - I'm just total crap. Anything you can suggest that'll help that I can do on my own will be good as it's so rare that I get the chance to face anyone! Front foot drives and cover drives would be a start. Cheers for the comments on the blogs, I've had a lot of help from a bloke in Australia with it, he did all the research into Clarrie Grimmett and introduced to his books.

 

[chyickenkeev]

wat u need is dedication off the pitch

il tell u how i know every shot in the manual

go on videojug, type in cricket and look at all the batting stuff.

its great

theyv got every orthodox shot, and as a tail ender ul be set.

 

[Dan]

Everything mate - I'm just total crap. Anything you can suggest that'll help that I can do on my own will be good as it's so rare that I get the chance to face anyone! Front foot drives and cover drives would be a start. Cheers for the comments on the blogs, I've had a lot of help from a bloke in Australia with it, he did all the research into Clarrie Grimmett and introduced to his books.

I'm not an expert with batting either, but just make sure you stay balanced at the crease. I reckon than being balanced, having the head still and eyes level is more important than where your foot is. Its still beneficial to get the front foot near the pitch, but if you screw it up a couple of times hopefully you'll get away with it.

Then its just down to watching the ball really closely and reacting as quickly as possible. I've told many a rookie to get into position as early as possible and play the shot from there, rather than playing whilst moving the feet. It allows the same confidence against a 70 mph bowler as against a 35-40mph bowler.

Early on, leave outside off stump and defend off middle and off. If it's at leg stump, go for controlled shots for 1 or 2 rather than trying to blast it for 6 (unless that is what is required). After you're set, start looking to score more and put away the bad ball. Batting is all about self-control unless you're freakishly talented.

For the cover drive, make sure the foot is right near the ball, the head is still and the eyes are level. Don't try to hit it too hard, if you have a decent bat it'll do the work for you. Timing is key with drives, not power. Just to reinforce it, if you're on the front foot and batting normally, timing over power. Back foot, just hit the ball hard and down.

Summary:

• Foot to the pitch of the ball
• Eyes level
• Head Still
• Switch off between balls/overs
• Cover Drive - Timing is crucial
• Front Foot: Timing; Back Foot: Power
• Keep it on the ground
• Every ball on its merits. Leave/block the good ones

 

[chyickenkeev]

im very sorry, but the comment above is quite vague to wats required when batting

check out these videos, they are fantastic, if u know of bob woolmer u will watch these videos, hes given you every shot and explained it simply.

YouTube - Cricket: The Bob Woolmer Way - batting (1/8)

thats the first of 8.