A place in the batting order

Rev. Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe

Successful batsmen in all grades of cricket must have certain similar qualities. But there is a slight variation in their styles which helps the coach and the captain give each player a place in the batting order. A correct assessment of each player’s style of batting gives the answer to the question asked by every cricketer, “When to bat?”

If batsmen are sent at the wrong time they will not be able to score according to their ability. But a talented and a skilful player, who is having a bad patch can be rescued and comeback to his natural form by shifting him in the batting order.

Question

The question of when to bat is not the choice of the player. It is the task of his coach and the captain. But if the coach and the skipper are wise they will not overlook the attributes of their batsmen or their preferences. A shrewd planned out batting order can bring a lot of victories to the team. The coach and the captain have to consider the weaknesses and strengths of each player. Some like to face slow bowling and fined it difficult to manage with the fast bowling. Some are good at coping with fast and medium pacers, but struggle with the spinners. A few like to thrash the ball when they are sent in when the bowlers are tired. However any batting order has to be changed when the star batsmen are rapidly dismissed. Then you send in a tail-ender, a stubborn player, who may not be a talented stroke maker. He can frustrate the bowlers and keep an end intact. Also, when there is a short time left for play, it is not wise to risk a good stroke player.

If you are unhappy over your position in a batting order try to talk your problem over with your coach and captain. But do not try to dictate terms to them. If they are wise they will try to help you, but there is no point in rebelling if they do not give you the position you want. There may be another player who performs well in the position you have asked for.

Remember this is a team game and you have to put your team first before your own desires. Your urge to bat in a certain position will sort itself out in the long-run. You may not get it immediately. It may take a few matches, but you will get your position if you really want it, if a player gets a good score where he bats already he will forget to ask to bat elsewhere in the batting order.Whenever a batsman goes to the wicket he must be prepared to give his best to his side. He should be able to master the bowling and score runs for his team. He should never throw his wicket. As a batsman every player must have physical fitness to make a hundred or more if necessary.

Opening batsmen

IF you go to bat as number one or two your duty is to wear down the new ball bowlers. Usually you have to face pace bowlers. They depend on speed and swing. You need to cope with them successfully. Remember, concentration is the key factor of the opening batsmen. It will help you to play a long innings. Your teammates want you to stay at the wicket as long as possible and keep the scoreboard moving. Openers must move their feet quickly so that they can rapidly get their body and head into a position close to the line of flight of the ball.

The stroke makers

No 3 batsman is very often the finest player in the side. It is an honour to play in this position. At times he may have to face the new ball with all its hostilities. If the openers have done their job he can play his strokes freely and keep the scoreboard moving as quickly as possible. You must not think that in this position a batsman must play brilliant strokes off every ball. He has to play strokes at every opportunity. He must be a very sound player who sets the pattern for the remaining batsmen.

The number four position is reserved for a very good batsman. He should be an attacking player who can take over and carry on the job of the openers. When time permits he should be prepared to take risks. When he goes to bat usually spinners are operating and it is essential that he moves his feet rapidly in order to smother the spin. Then he can position himself to thrash the ball hard. If you are a good strong batsman who likes to get runs quickly, this may be your position.

Usually the number five position is reserved for a younger player, the one who should profit by the greater experience of the earlier batsmen. His job, if things are going well, is to carry on the good work or, in times of adversity, to pull his side out of trouble. He is a very responsible batsman in the side. If he delivers the goods he can be promoted in the batting order.

All rounders’ place in the order

The good cricket team always has all-rounders. They can bowl and bat. They do not bat early in the order as they need time to rest after bowling. But what a wonderful asset to a team if a bowler can play a fighting innings when it is badly needed. If you are an all-rounder you will bat at number six or number seven. Also remember if you improve your batting technique you will be of great benefit to your team. Nowadays many teams have wicket keepers who are splendid batsmen. If their batting is better than the all-rounders they go to bat ahead of them.

Bowlers as Tail-Enders

If you are a specialized bowler you will go in near the bottom of the list. But never forget that you may one day be of great value to your team. As number 10 or 11 you may have to play a match winning or a match saving innings.

Every batsman should remember to make a substantial contribution to his team.