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Looking for some advice.
In one day cricket predominantly and against the spinners I’ve been having trouble beating the box fielder at mid wicket. I’ve not been timing being the ball well enough to get passed them or when I use my feet I’m struggling to get to the pitch of the ball and can’t generate any power in the shot.
Any tips on how to improve the shit because I see the good players do it so well and limit the number of dot balls.
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Firstly, practice and persistence…results will follow. Personally, if the pitch was slower and turning, I tended to try to play the spinners off the back foot. Gives just a little more time to see the line and find the gap. Also don’t try to hit the ball too hard, especially if the aim is to hit the gap and get a 1 or 2. Concentrate on timing and finding the middle of the bat…and watch the ball right onto the bat.
When advancing, fully commit and get a big first step in…play straight.
As with most challenges there are multi options to try here, but no guarantees. The beauty of sport!
We can play a spinner with a vertical or a horizontal bat. (Cross bat may come off occasionally haha) It maybe that if you are able to develop enough skill with the sweep and paddle so you can tick the scoreboard over using those shots.
I agree with Jason (above), be sure to develop your skill off the back foot as well making it harder for the spinner to hit the length they desire, which increases your scoring options.
Without seeing you play it is dangerous to look into the way you hit the ball, but contact point is obviously very important for working the ball through the leg side. If you are able to get your torso well over the ball at contact, you will be in a good position to strike the ball well. If your current strike position is sitting back a bit you will struggle to hit the ball crisply in this area. Try putting a rope on the ground about a metre away from your stance and have balls fed towards your legs. Lean well forward over your base of support and attempt to hit the balls as hard as you can into the ground before the rope towards the mid-wicket area. Worth a try, it has helped some players I have worked with.
As always, good luck and as Jason said - practice and persist :)
Hey Justin
I agree with Jason and Bryan and their terrific advice.
It’s so important to practice and practice because it’s vital in a one-day game to be turning the strike over and not get too bogged down. It’s even worse if you do get bogged down and then throw your wicket away by being frustrated and playing an unnecessary shot.
Where you can, try and simulate match conditions, a centre wicket session. Grab one of your teams’ spinners, a wicket keeper and 3 fielders. One fielder positioned in the box on the leg side, one at mid-on and one at mid-wicket. Choose fielders who will challenge you but also have your best interest at heart and want to help.
With the spinner bowling to try and contain you and the fielders simulating a game situation it will allow you to use your feet, get your head over the ball, keep your balance and shape and practice playing the shots you need to maneuver a single, hit through the field for two, three or 4 or perhaps go over the field. An attacking shot is an extension of a defensive shot.
Be proactive and don’t be afraid to make a mistake and if get caught, bowled, or stumped, it’s ok. Go again and as long as you keep working hard, simulating a game-like scenario will help you build the confidence you need to take into a game.
It’s also a terrific little session for the fielders, the spinner and wicket keeper.
Best of luck Justin.
My old coach Warren Smith used to get me doing 4-500 balls of footwork drills to spin in a session. 1 step and 2 step drills, lots of skipping and running between the wickets. His philosophy was that batting was like boxing, be light on feet like a dancer/boxer and batting is a side on game. Focus on feet getting next to the ball. Focus on what you want to see not what you don't want to see. Give your attention to the gaps not the fielder. Keep it simple. The 2 step to a spinner and finding the gap either side of the box fielder should be the easiest, low risk percentage shot in a batsmen's arsenal against spin.
