Cricket Batting Tips
Batting is a crucial part of cricket and requires perfection to the core. Skill also goes a long way, especially if you’re looking to pursue it as a career.
Thanks to resources made available to us, this could be easier than you think. The internet has been quite instrumental in ensuring that aspiring cricketers are nurtured. It hasn’t disappointed so far and is making significant strides in grooming the next generation.
You’ll need a seasoned mentor and coach to share your batting experiences with. Also, they’ll guide you on the way to go when you feel stuck. Here are timely cricket batting tips to make your practice sessions easier;
Choose Your Bats Wisely
You’ve probably not heard this tip before, but a bat is a huge determiner of how far you’ll go in batting. There are different types of bats, and you’re better off familiarizing yourself with each one of them.
This way, you’ll find your footing and eventually know which bat works best for you. The English Willow cricket bat has gained massive popularity due to its impressive performance effect.
The downside is that its durability status is wanting. On the other hand, the Kashmiri Willow cricket bat is valued for its durability. It doesn’t get damaged as fast as its English counterpart.
Many batting successes in cricket are measured by how seriously you take your stance. Ensure that your feet are spread evenly and are within the center of the stump.
Your head and shoulders should face the bowler’s direction. There isn’t a moment in batting when you should let your guard down. This posture sends the message that you are alert and ready for any of the bowler’s moves.
Mind your stance at all times whenever you’re at the stump.
Master Your Grip
Your grip determines how perfect your batting result is going to be. The hand you choose to place at the top of your bat should be firm and dominant. The lower hand should maintain a relaxed posture.
It will involve intense practice just so you get used to it. The art of the grip is an articulate way of manipulating the bat into scoring your team more runs. There are 4 different types of grip that every batsman prefers;
- The Conventional V-Grip. As the name suggests, your hands should be spread out with your fingers joined together separate from the thumb. This forms the V shape as you lay both hands on your bat. It’s quite a flexible move that even cricketers that are new to the game can easily get used to it.
- The Closed Face Grip. As usual, there has to be a history behind the name of this type of grip. This grip is used by batsmen who prefer the legside to the offside. What follows is that the faces of their bats tend to lean towards the legside more. The face of the bat is said to be closed, hence the name of the grip; Closed Face Grip.
- Open Face Grip. This is a unique batting grip that’s used by only a few batsmen. It only comes in handy when batsmen are all out of batting techniques to score runs. It involves a great deal of creativity to pull this grip off. This is where the face of the bat is exposed to the offside.
- Don Bradman’s Grip. This grip is named after the most excellent and skillful batsman to ever walk the face of the earth. Heads-up though, you’re going to have to strain your back a little because there will be lots of bending. Here, you are required to lay your bat on the ground and ensure that the bat’s face points towards the lower direction. You’ll need the conventional V grip to lift it up and swing to action.
Getting worked up is completely normal if you’re a first-timer. As time goes by, you get used to having a cricket ball bowled your way. Every accomplished batsman acknowledges the importance of staying calm through it all.
What’s more, you get to come up with more creative strategies as you watch the bowler’s moves. It takes lots of practice to get your act together and remain calm throughout each cricket game.
Polish Up Your Pickup Posture
Remember how important it is to mind your stance? Your pickup posture counts on it too. Batting is only as good as it gets when you polish up on your pickup and swing skills.
These are very critical steps that shouldn’t be taken lightly. To assume the best position to hit the ball, place the bat behind your back foot. Still, on this position, lift your bat as your top hand faces the off stump direction.
Avoid moving your head about once the ball is released by the bowler and is moving towards your direction.
Best Foot Forward
Your best foot could be the right or left. Place it forward as you aim for a balance of all your limbs and general posture. All this while, your back foot should be firmly planted and unmoved at the back of the crease.
Bend the knee of your front foot as it helps you not to miss the ball. This posture also enables you to get a perfect shot even when the ball comes under your eyes for some reason.
Place slightly more weight on your intended direction for the ball. Be careful not to disorient your body posture. Maintain it all through until you’ve finally come to contact with the ball.
The front foot doesn’t exactly work for every batsman. The back foot also has a role to play and doesn’t disappoint when used to your advantage.
Transfer the weight from the front foot to the back foot. This prepares you psychologically for the duties and tasks that lie ahead.
Stand tall to keep track of the bowler’s every move. You’ll be well able to tackle every ball that the bowler bowls towards your direction.
Bowlers are one of the craftiest people to look out for as you play. Keep your eyes on the bowler’s hand so you’ll know what to expect and how to react accordingly. Bowlers are always up to something that’s meant to shake the batsmen to the core.
Then again, your other responses are just as important. Your greatest asset at this point would be multitasking. All your senses must be alert for your batting skills to be greatly heightened.
Practice Makes Perfect
To a newcomer, cricket may seem so complicated. The endless and complex rules might also put you off if you’re not too passionate about being a certified pro. The ceaseless practice is all there is to it.
Find your weak area and work towards perfecting and polishing it. Mobilize an eager and like-minded team to walk with you because practicing alone is close to impossible. Lone practice sessions work maybe if you’re trying to work on your grip of the bat.
You’ve probably noticed that there’s plenty of room to be creative in the game of cricket. After learning all the postures, grips, and strategies, you’re ready to decide what works for you. For instance, rigorous practices may have revealed to you that putting more weight on the backfoot works better for you than the front foot.
Finding out what you’re comfortable with helps you figure out what to do when you’re in a tight fix at the pitch.
Why would you want to engage in a game that fails to ignite your inner passion? What a waste of precious time, right? It’s not fair to you at all. After doing all that’s necessary to have come this far, relax and have some fun. Take every moment as it comes and time the ball.
Don’t lose sight of the bowler’s moves and the ball as well. Be keen on both of them and time the cricket ball. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easily the runs will come calling. The next time you’re on the pitch, be sober, and enjoy every moment of batting.
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