Any cricket experts?

[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.