Club Captaincy advice....

[shortbread]

Hello guys, this is nothing related to Indian cricket and apologies if posted in the wrong place. Warning: this might be a boring read I captain an amateur side in the local grades (N.E UK). We have a very strong bowling unit (at least by local standards) and a competitive but fragile batting line up. The games we play are 45 over a side where the team batting second are able to enforce a draw if they are not all out and have made 75% of the first innings runs. The top 2 teams that finish the season get promoted which is what we are aiming for. Heres where I am looking for help/advice. One of the top rival sides in our grade have a very impressive bowling line up. 2 quick-sharp bowlers who open the attack followed by others who complete a quota of 45 very good overs. They are tight, think wickets all the time and are on your face backed up by plenty of lip. Last season we bowled them out for 120 odd (they have a average batting side), a very modest score. But they bowled us out for 84 runs. The opening bowlers ate up our top order and the follow up bowlers cleaned the tail. My role in the batting line up is to anchor the innings during a collapse but I ended up being stranded in one end without a partner. We will be facing them soon again this year and by the evidence of our batting performances so far a similar collapse looks eminent. We have won all the games played by the virtue of our bowling. I have thought about promoting myself up the order and blunting the opening bowlers, mine is not a highly prized wicket. What I am scared of is there might be no one to play the anchor role lower down the order in my absence. It will be highly appreciated if anyone has any advice or tips regarding facing our nemesis. Thank You.

[BlueBee]

Could you please tell what is the speciality of the 2 pacers ? of that rival team.

[Midfielder]

If you are comfortable batting them out go ahead and promote yourself. Flip side s if that is not your natural position and you lose your wicket early you end up hurting the team.45 overs are enough to expose the batting depth of your team. I say don't change the order.

[shortbread]

Could you please tell what is the speciality of the 2 pacers ? of that rival team.

Thanks for responding. For starters they are quick (they are both brothers). But smart as well, most quick bowlers in the grade keep the ball full, which is easier to play/defend. These guys bowl beautiful lengths, mostly hitting high on the blade backed by close fielders. And the state of local pitches means there's always movement. Theres a lot of lip form their fielders, which is easy to deal with but some of our batsmen do get riled up.

[shortbread]

If you are comfortable batting them out go ahead and promote yourself. Flip side s if that is not your natural position and you lose your wicket early you end up hurting the team.45 overs are enough to expose the batting depth of your team. I say don't change the order.

Exactly my fear. Thanks.

[vamos_rafa]

One thing you could do is analyze how the other strong teams in your grade play against them. If sides have been able to beat them, then try and find out the pattern. You will need good technique to face these bowlers. Have 1 or 2 guys in your team who have the technique and temperament to be in for longer periods of time. Since you are already playing that role, I would advise to have 1 more guy of the same nature. Also, emphasize a lot on taking singles. Sometimes, bowlers who are not used to giving runs at all, can start erring if singles are being scored. Another approach could be where one batsman really goes after them. But, that's a high risk option and should be planned. Best bet against such teams is to bat first coz atleast you wouldn't have a score board pressure and you can dictate things. Hope that makes sense...

[BlueBee]

Okay. No need to Change the order. But Let your Top 3 batsmen practise a lot with a New ball in nets (Turf).. And when they goes on for batting against them, Tell one of them to Cool down and Take charge on the Bowlers. Always keep in mind that You should keep attacking from one end and Taking singles and Doubles from the other, And yep Smash the loose balls whenever you get chances.

[BlueBee]

The top three should have Good techniques for playing Pull/Hook, drive, cut and most important Defend

[Midfielder]

One thing you could do is analyze how the other strong teams in your grade play against them. If sides have been able to beat them, then try and find out the pattern. You will need good technique to face these bowlers. Have 1 or 2 guys in your team who have the technique and temperament to be in for longer periods of time. Since you are already playing that role, I would advise to have 1 more guy of the same nature. Also, emphasize a lot on taking singles. Sometimes, bowlers who are not used to giving runs at all, can start erring if singles are being scored. Another approach could be where one batsman really goes after them. But, that's a high risk option and should be planned. Best bet against such teams is to bat first coz atleast you wouldn't have a score board pressure and you can dictate things. Hope that makes sense...

Good advise, bat first.

[BlueBee]

Good advise' date=' bat first.[/quote'] ++

[shortbread]

Thank You all. The game is on June 5th, will let u guys know how we got on.

[Sooda]

I would not say a collapse would look particularly eminent

[shortbread]

I would not say a collapse would look particularly eminent

Imminent.....my bad.

[Midfielder]

Good luck and enjoy the game. Just remember at club level if you are winning half the games you are doing great.

[nevada]

First of all, congrats on being an active player participating in this beautiful game. To add to the advice already given, maybe your batsmen should practice with the pitch length reduced to 20 yards instead of 22. To reduce chances of physical injury, you can practice with a softer ball. And then, this is Jimmy Amarnath's mantra - I read somewhere that he used to tell himself before every ball "I am NOT going to get out to this ball".

[fineleg]

And then, this is Jimmy Amarnath's mantra - I read somewhere that he used to tell himself before every ball "I am NOT going to get out to this ball".

Does it work? He may have tried it but it may have been in vain against West Indies during some revenge series in 1984 or 85? A bunch of single digit scores. Not criticizing, curious if such "pep talk" techniques work?

[nevada]

Does it work? He may have tried it but it may have been in vain against West Indies during some revenge series in 1984 or 85? A bunch of single digit scores. Not criticizing, curious if such "pep talk" techniques work?

They never work - if you never try them.

[FischerTal]

you were right, it was a boring read :boring: just do tuk tuk if they are so good and score runs when ball gets old. if your teammates suck so badly, then hog the strike.

[Midfielder]

I was in the stands and Lever bowled Mr. amarnath for a duck. In that series he was out to Lever 2/3 times but Lever was a dirty player. You can say anything to psych yourself.

[vamos_rafa]

Does it work? He may have tried it but it may have been in vain against West Indies during some revenge series in 1984 or 85? A bunch of single digit scores. Not criticizing, curious if such "pep talk" techniques work?

Depends upon the individual. Some guys can focus better coz of these techniques while others by humming songs(like Sehwag). Virat by a barrage of MC, BCs, while Sachin with all his idiosyncrasies. I have been reading this book Out of my comfort Zone, Steve Waugh's autobiography, wherein he mentioned that indulging in some arguments with the opposition made him to focus better. Infact he has written a great story about his final test. He was pretty nervous and Indians were bowling well. Suddenly Pappu Patel says, "let's end it with a slog sweep guys". Steve Waugh turned back and said "Can we have some respect? You were in ur nappies when I made my debut". This kinda egged him on to focus better as he like a bit of chit chat. On top of this our Pappu chu missed a few stumpings as well :mad: