Any cricket experts?

[Penelope_Grey]

Right here is the score, this Friday there is a womens cricket match, and I have never played criket before. Its all a bit of fun but today in practice I pretty much was shown up for how useless I was. I cannot bowl, and I cannot bat it seems. The only thing I am remotely capable of is fielding and any muppet can do that.

Today, the problem was, the ball was flying at me at such speeds I simply couldn't hit it. I tried to have a good stance and all that so that I could give it a good clonk but they bowled so fast I could't hit the ball?

I just don't know what to do, obviously I am in over my head and today was our only practice session. I was rubbish basically, so there must be some tips I can have to help me somehow to at least defend my wicket.

(Also; and forgive me for my forthrightness here, if you are thinking to make a joke or leave a stupid comment of some kind, please don't bother because this is serious stuff here and I felt so embarassed I don't want to take anymore.)

[jumpy]

Whatever you do, if you are fielding, don't let your captain place you at silly-mid-off. It's just asking for trouble.

Rather than trying to whack the ball over the boundry when you're batting, try and kill its momentum by deflecting it into the ground, it's not a very exciting play, but it's a safe way to get rid of that annoying fast bowler as they only get to bowl until the over is done.

Technique:
stand sideways facing the bowler (right handed) plant your right foot and step forwards towards the bowler with your left keeping the end of the bat slanted towards your right instep. If you do it right you will kill the ball's momentum (like hitting a corner when playing squash) by deflecting it onto the crease infront of you. Plus you will be covering the wikit with your body, so all you have to look out for is getting out 'leg before wikit'. If the fielders can't catch the ball then the bowler has to move on when the over is finnished.


Hope that makes some sense

EDIT
here's a pic of what I mean:

[danlisa]

Pen, the most improtant thing with any ball game, is to keep your eyes on the ball.

Seriously, if you watch the ball as it leaves the bowlers hand and follow it as it comes down the crease, due to hand/eye coordination, your bat will naturally follow the line the ball is taking.

Next good tip. Keep your head facing down, towards the ground. If you lift your head while taking a strike at the ball, your body posture will naturally push the struck ball into the air. Easy out for any fielder.

Wear good protective kit. It hurts when a cricket balls hits you.

Above all, Pen. Enjoy it. Too many people take gatherings like this way too seriously. My suggestion, meet your team early at the pub/club house for pre-match drinks.

[Linton]

Cricket is the only sport that has drinks breaks actually written into the rules.With the weather in the UK at the moment I doubt whether you will play more than a few overs and then it will be off to the pavillion!

[Penelope_Grey]

Maybe that is what I was doing wrong, I was trying to whack the ball. As a result was hitting nothing but air. Looking at that, I think I can see how I should stand now.

And yes, I know what being hit with a cricket ball is like, I got it in my right breast and its rather red and sore now.

I think I get the idea, seems like the fast bowlers just chuck at you and its like my natural instinct is to get out of the way. Also it didn'thelp that one of the girls pointed at me and went "crap" yeah that really helps your confidence.

Cheeky bitch. If I still had that cricket bat, I'd have walloped her with it, forgetting my non-violent ethos. I felt like turning round and saying if that's your attitude then hell with you and your team. I know its only a bit of fun, but I've had the P!$$ took out of me a lot over my life for one thing or another. So when you agree to something and try your best you don't want to be having jokes made about you.

Well I guess in the plus column when I basically keep blocking the fast bowler, they will mod their tactics to get me out I spose. There is another practice session tommorrow.

Thing is they all bowl so fast! Even when they are not going quick, I think I may have to face facts that I suck and just get on with it.

Even so thanks for the replies and advice guys. I'll give it a try and see how I do.

[TteFAboB]

You shouldn't even blink at a girl who finds amusing to tease a newbie.

...just sign her up at an online prostitution agency.

[Penelope_Grey]

Well he had the match, and we held our own, they didn't give us the thrashing they were expecting to give us. I managed to catch a few of them, stopped one or two fours being scored as well.

The bas news, I have sprained my left ankle to hell. I just got into bat, I hit the ball. (I've been practicing) was a good hit and so me and my partner ran, as I got to the other crease. I slipped and landed in a heap on the floor spraining my ankle. Though, I got up and carried on till I was eventually cuaght out, but, I went from totally crap, to managing to be in for the thrid longest, even with my bad leg.

After the match I was in agony. So my father took me to casualty, and I have got a pair of crutches, some tablets and a elastic pressure bandage. LOL

It was worth it though to show them what I can really do!

[lesrae]

Sounds like you did fine, well done

[Jimbuna]

Well done Pen ....It actually sounds like you've done better than some of the plonkers in the national side have been doing lately

[bookworm_020]

Quick sign her up for the England cricket squad! Good to hear that you gave it your all and did well, sorry to hear that you hurt yourself in the pursit of glory!

[baggygreen]

For future reference, the easiest way to make sure you are able to hit the ball in time is to have your bat raised and ready just as the bowler delivers the ball. This is a common problem amongst the people i coach, they start their backlift only after the ball has been delivered - too late, cos you gotta go through 2 motions then, not just the one. by having your bat raised and ready just before delivery, it means you only have to bring it down - half the motion, doubles your time to react.

And yes, as bookworm said, you oughta sign yourself up for the english team. their begging for anyone to fill their spots at the moment!

[Reaves]

Nah don't join England, I like it when the Aussies win.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Penelope_Grey

Right here is the score, this Friday there is a womens cricket match, and I have never played criket before. Its all a bit of fun but today in practice I pretty much was shown up for how useless I was. I cannot bowl, and I cannot bat it seems. The only thing I am remotely capable of is fielding and any muppet can do that.

Today, the problem was, the ball was flying at me at such speeds I simply couldn't hit it. I tried to have a good stance and all that so that I could give it a good clonk but they bowled so fast I could't hit the ball?

I just don't know what to do, obviously I am in over my head and today was our only practice session. I was rubbish basically, so there must be some tips I can have to help me somehow to at least defend my wicket.

(Also; and forgive me for my forthrightness here, if you are thinking to make a joke or leave a stupid comment of some kind, please don't bother because this is serious stuff here and I felt so embarassed I don't want to take anymore.)

Haha, don't feel embarrased, your a girl and English. You're not supposed to be able to play cricket!
How bad do you think it is growing up as a male in Australia, and then being bad at cricket!

Sorry about your ankle.

[Jimbuna]

Pen!!.....back to plan B or fallback position Bravo......."our cricketers are better looking than yours"

[Penelope_Grey]

Well I'd join Goughs Barbie army anyday!