Batting guide Help

[Mish-anthrope]

Hi!
I am facing a lot of issues while batting.. i can bowl rather well, but i really, really suck at batting. Could someone give some general pointers for batting/ write a guide may be? Insightful tips and the lot.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers!

[[VOID] MG]

Hey Mish,
I don't know what level you're playing at, but on my new career bowler/batsman, I found that when in the nets between games, and I'm only on *amateur* level, in order to get that whole "Ideal" timing thing, I was having to select which shot to make as soon as I could make out the pitch length and whether it was on my legs, or off to one side.
Not fun.
I really struggled against a match bowler who was chucking them at 71 mph.
Prior to that, I was having a great time just focusing on the "Aggressive Ground Shot" on rookie level.
I'd love to know, as much as you do, how these other guys make it sound so bloody easy.

[Dr. Dee]

I don't have much to add. I'm struggling with batting too. I've forced myself to go to the nets in between each match to build up some batting skills points (as I'm acquiring few of these in matches) and I am starting to feel that this is making a difference (i.e. not out first ball so much and have managed to hit the ball a bit more...even though I'm now on 'Legendary' level). My advice for the nets is to set the bowling machine to Medium paced, seam, good length, fixed speed and then try hitting the ball around a bit. You will pick up a skill point for every 6 balls you hit (i.e. maximum 10 points per session if you didn't miss any) and the type of skill point relates to the shots you played in that 6. Rather than evenly distributing points I'm consciously trying to max out front foot and straight bat...once I've done this, I'll look at flat bat and backfoot shots by changing the bowling machine to short pitch. This all takes time but I hope it makes batting in matches easier.
It would be nice to have some tips from people who have cracked batting. If it's all just down to super reaction times...then I'm sunk.

[lunarvision3]

On Amateur level (only) I've found you can get pretty decent results by taking guard well across your stumps and working everything away on the leg side. Don't hit in the air or AGS. On that difficulty you're unlikely to edge anything even if you're trying to work it to leg from fourth or fifth stump, and anything wider than that you can leave. The difficulty is forgiving enough that you can probably get away with it even if you choose the wrong footwork. Much harder on higher difficulty levels. The game's trying to be a good simulation of cricket, and batting against pace bowling really is all about reaction times. I average ~25 on Veteran level, but I've never found a single method that'll work against everything on that level.

Probably most important, though, is patience in the middle. Defend a lot, and be very selective about which ball to hit. When you're in the nets before the match, play against the pace you're likely to face in the game, to find the rhythm you need to time the ball. I find it very difficult to time shots against medium-pacers and spinners if I've just been in the nets against 90mph.

[TeePee]

I've been trying to develop a habit of only playing anything that's threatening my stumps until such time as I'm facing a bowler I'm comfortable dealing with (spinners or medium-pacers) - I go into each shot preparing to play a forward defensive - however, if the ball gets pitched short or in a position where it's not really worth the risk of going for a shot, I just leave it. The main way I'm getting out is by mistiming drives to mid-on and mid-off, which I think is something that a lot of people consider a bug, as it's near-impossible to hit one along the ground.

[kennyjones7]

In the manual it says when the ball is in flight the marker will turn white for a short time to indicate the best timing on lowest 3 difficulty levels. I cant seem to see this. Has ayone as I havent seen it mentioned in the forums yet?

[[VOID] MG]

I've never seem it either. I'm assuming it was removed from the game after the manual had already been written.

[Mish-anthrope]

i wonder if others also noticed this:
When taking guard, if your press the right stick, you can see the bowler's biggest strength and his biggest weakness, likewise if you are bowling, before the run up pressing the right stick will tell you the batsman's strenght and weakness.
Is it anywhere in the manual?

[quietos]

i keep hearing comentators in my head, defend the good balls, pick off the bad ones...getting 50's often now, first season not on ya life couldn't make more then 20, practice, practice, practice, shot selection starts to be instinct more then thought, which my buddy who plays cricket tells me is true to life ;)

[quietos]

tips that work for me

watch the ball
play to your strengths (my guys front foot)
have a couple of gaps picked, gives you an options.
be patient, build confidence.
pay attention to bowlers strengths and weaknesses
as the ball gets older, beware reverse swing
block
block
work singles
and of course, block!

[moosc]

.... and how do you cope with the fact that perfectly timed shots (Drives, Square cuts and Hooks) are ALWAYS played IN THE AIR?
When the ball can be kept along the ground then this game will be a lot better and more survivable/enjoyable for the human player.

Neil W

[quietos]

i can play them along the ground, its timing, tho like all things there's room for improvement.

[Dr. Dee]

Now I don't know whether things are getting easier because I'm practicing in the nets between each match or whether it's the fact that my career player is picking up skill points in the nets...or whether we're both improving...but I've suddenly found that I'm getting more time in the middle. Not scoring anything amazing but getting into the 20's and, on occasion, the 30's and generally feeling better about batting. My straight drives and cover drives are finding gaps (and even the boundary) rather than fielders and I don't feel as much at risk of giving easy catches.

Using the nets I've managed to build up my skill points on front foot and straight bat to about half way or a little more on the meter things...and I'm trying to play front foot straight shots in the matches to capitalise on this (a la quietos's advice above).

In the nets and in the field I've removed the circle thing that goes round the ball (I've kept the ball trail on) as I think I was focusing too much on it's colour and shape as a queue to shot selection and now I just watch the ball. It could all go horribly wrong again, I know, but I actually enjoyed playing a 50+ partnership in the last match before running myself out by accidently hitting the X button at an inopportune moment.

Onwards and upwards!

[YorkEagle]

Agree with Dr Dee ... i started out as a 16 year old spin bowler devoid of any battings skills! was always nicking the ball to wicket keeper ending in lots of ducks! One season later and i have enough skill points to play the odd decent innings now. So grab those valuable skill points on offer in the net sessions.

[Dr. Dee]

Yes...I am also a spinner (though was supposed to be an all-rounder). I was, however, lazy and didn't bother showing up for net practice for probably my first two seasons. I hadn't realised that net practice did have a significant impact on performance. I originally thought that I'd pick up the experience in the field...how wrong I was there. I wished I'd been more diligent earlier rather than trying to build up points in my 3rd year. Ho, hum.

[quietos]

its both, practice makes perfect! it would be odd if a 16 yr old didn't struggle....;) glad you're making runs!