I’m 19 and opening the batting. Started the season poorly with 4 scores under 10 and I’m frustrated as I worked hard in the off season and want to get advice on how to approach my next innings and what to focus on?

Hi Zac, a few tips

1. Make sure you are focusing on watching the ball from the bowlers hand.
2. Make sure you are moving across in line with the ball keeping back foot and body side on.
3. Relax at the crease - deep breaths before settling in to face the ball.
4. When out of form batsmen often try to play at balls they should leave or attempt shots rather than defending as they are just wanting to feel bat on ball. So shot selection is key.
5. When batting in the nets play as you would in the match and avoid getting out rather than just hitting balls without regard for being dismissed.
Good luck

When you go out ,you set the pace so there’s no scoreboard pressure .
Get off strike as much as you can , stay up
The bowlers end early on .
1 rule play the ball that’s inside your eyeline ,if it’s outside your eyeline let it go .
Remember you have done the preseason hard work and the cricket god owes you !
Cheers

Hey Zac
Great advice from Greg and Peter.
It’s great that you are opening the batting as you get into the game straight away as opposed to have to wait around. Embrace the challenge.
Through any form slump I always found it beneficial to keep things really simple.
• Really work hard on watching the ball out of the bowlers’ hands. A laser like focus.
• Make the bowlers bowl to you. If you don’t need to play the ball, let it go, don’t go chasing it unnecessarily.
• Look for singles and get off strike where possible and run hard between wickets. Not just for yourself but also your partner.
If you’ve done the hard work, and do the little things right, the game will reward you
Best of luck

Zac,
Sometimes when we want to do really well, we train really hard and with such intensity that we forget to have fun and freeze.
I strongly endorse Paul, Peter and Greg, but sometimes the more advice we get only adds to the ‘Paralysis by analysis’!
My suggestion is to practice the advice offered to you in low pressure situations like backyard cricket or indoor cricket and just have fun.
I bet you used to score a stack of runs when you were younger and didn’t place so much pressure on yourself.
I’ve been there as have many others; so I’d strongly encourage swapping the time spent in the nets or bowling machine for high volume of fun! Still bat for the same amount of time- but in a low pressure environment.
As soon as you remember why you love the game, you’ll spend more time at the crease and the runs will come effortlessly.
Good luck, Zac!
Troy

Zac,
Dont get frustrated with getting out, it happens as an opening batsman, just stick to the basics, and stick to your strengths.

What has worked in the past for you, will continue to work for you going forward.

As Greg, Peter and Paul have stated, continue to watch the ball in the bowlers hand, make sure your stance is comfortable and your feet are moving where you want them to go.

Take your time and accumulate your runs, and maybe put away the big shots early in your innings, and once you feel comfortable, expand the shot range. There is nothing better for your confidence than spending time in the middle, rather than time in front of a machine.

Last of all, do not lose faith in your ability, the runs will come.