Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Basit770

New Member
Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Hey, I am not much of a batsman but I still bat around middle. I really hate playing fast bowlers, I keep thinking i will get hit...I get nervous and when they bowl it just comes sooo quick that instead of moving towards the ball, i move away :(

I especially dont like leg side shots, when it comes pelting down leg, i just move out of the way but these r the deliveries i am supposed to be putting away! I can only play one good shot-the cut. I can drive a bit too but i dont like to because when i come forward i think i am gonna get hurt!

Few days ago i was batting and got hit on thigh because of a leg side ball-i just tryed to lift my leg out the way. I know i should get my feet moving but I feel i cannot do that until the bowler has actually bowled becaue you dont know what kinda length it will be! Also, what should I do to know when and which shot to play and how to adjust so i can play it?

Please give me some tips to play comfortably and not play with my heart in my mouth when it comes to fast bowlers! WHAT DO I DO?? :confused:

Thanks :)
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Get a thigh guard is all I can say, I can't help you much with the rest of it but I'm sure the others can.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Sounds all psychological to me.

M_C has said this before, but get as much gear as is humanly possible. Chest guard, arm guard, inner and out thigh pad, helmet, the works. So much so that you will feel safe. Also don't think at any time that you are going to get hit, that will make it worse. Always think positively.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

jimmy33 said:
Sounds all psychological to me.

M_C has said this before, but get as much gear as is humanly possible. Chest guard, arm guard, inner and out thigh pad, helmet, the works. So much so that you will feel safe. Also don't think at any time that you are going to get hit, that will make it worse. Always think positively.

Yeh agree with you completely. Try not to look at the bowler running in. Just look when he is in or near his delivery stride.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Work with a bowling machine if you can get access. Set it up outside off to start (no danger of being hit) and over the session ramp up the speed slowly. You'll be surprised how comfortable and confident you get facing fast bowling. Then move it in slightly, angling toward stumps, gently at first but increasing speed over time. Then as sessions develop angle into legs, short and at the body etc. Once you get confident, because you know where the ball is going to pitch, you'll hopefully notice that the first movement isn't away from the ball but into position. Start to mix it up, have someone move the angles every ball to replicate match conditions.) equipment wise, helmet, gloves essential, thigh pad probably, rest only if you feel you need it.

(And on the rare times you do happen to mistime a pull or hook wear the bruise as a badge of honour!)
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

hey remember viv richards? that guy use to go in with a cap and no big protection during the era of fast bowlers. He made the ball look like it was made out of foam or something. Similarly, eliminate the fear - be it wearing more protection, or getting used to the ball - the ball should feel like a tennis ball to you.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

i back away aswell but today my coach put a rock behind my beside my foot which means if i back away i will touch the rock and i will have to do a lap, with this in mind i never backed away against some fast bowling today and guess wat. it actually works. any object will do
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

confidence! confidence and confidence! and dont forget practice!

just remember the faster the ball comes to you the faster it will come off the bat!
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

If you look at the great batsman carefully, none of them wait for the ball - they are slowly moving forward even b4 the ball is released.
(Click on the images for larger view - there are lots of ads on the page that appears on clicking - be patient) :
This is ponting's stance (ignore the comments next to it):



This is how he lifts his front foot forward before judging the ball:



This is what he does when he suddenly realises it's a short ball (shifts to backfoot- since he has more time):


All batsmen play like that - very few these days actually go completely into the crease. You should go and hit the ball, not wait for it to come to you - just change your mental approach.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

It's confidence, just be positive. Few people have died by being struck by a cricket ball and unless you're really unlucky, you won't either. Worse you'll probably get is a bruise or a broken bone.

Get protection to help ease your mind and then do as above - use a bowling machine and slowly increase the pace. You'll be surprised at what sort pace you feel comfortable at.

I think it's also been said that even top class cricketers aren't overly fond of facing out and out quicks, some see it a challenge others as a harzard of the job. Of course some love facing them but it's all relative.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

The key is to realise that it is safer to step inside the line of the ball than outside it where the ball will follow you and you will be in no position to protect yourself with your bat.
 
Re: Help with facing fast bowlers !!!

Basit,
It is firstly and most importantly Ur inner confidence that will change Ur problem.
As Ur articles suggest u cannot say i don't like that shot or that side of deliveries to play.
If u want to be a good batsman u have to play the ball with Ur bat irrespective of the area it pitches.
To build up Ur confidence u need to do the basics like wearing all the protective gear to be at ease.
Have lots of knocking practice with a team mate in the nets.
Bat with lot of patience in the nets.
While batting learn to switch on and off in between deliveries while batting in the nets.
Watch the ball carefully and don't loose Ur focus.

If possible;post a video of Ur batting in the nets.
 
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