Playing Pace Bowling

In this lesson you will learn how facing faster bowling changes your batting. The main difference is time. The faster the ball, the less time you have to see it, decide and move. That means you need to be ready earlier, with your stance and any trigger movement finished before the ball is released. Your movements should be shorter and more compact, and your backlift may need to be a little lower. You will also learn that pace can be your friend, because a well-timed shot uses the bowler's speed and runs quickly to the boundary. The key is to stay calm, keep your head still and let the ball come to you.

• Less time to see, decide and move
• Be ready before the ball is released
• Shorter movements, compact backlift
• Use the bowler's pace to score

In this lesson you will focus on watching the ball. Against pace, your first clue comes from the bowler's hand. Watch the hand from the moment the bowler starts their run-up and try to see the ball as it is released. Look at the seam position if you can, because an upright seam angled towards the slips often means outswing, and one angled towards leg often means inswing. Pick up the length as early as possible. You will learn to soften your gaze between deliveries and then switch on your focus as the bowler approaches. A calm, consistent routine helps you concentrate fully for the few seconds each ball demands.

• Watch the bowler's hand from the run-up
• Look for the seam position at release
• Pick up the length as early as possible
• Switch focus on as the bowler approaches

In this lesson you will learn why knowing where your off stump is matters so much against pace. Most fast bowlers aim around off stump, hoping to find the edge. If you know exactly where your off stump is, you can leave balls that are wider with confidence and play those that threaten the stumps. Take a consistent guard and pay attention to where your eyes are in relation to off stump in your stance. In practice, use a marker or a cone on a good length just outside off stump to help you learn which balls to leave. You will learn that judgement around off stump is one of the most valuable skills a batter can develop.

• Most pace bowlers attack off stump
• Know where your off stump is
• Leave wider balls with confidence
• Use markers in practice to learn your line

In this lesson you will learn how to play movement. Swing happens in the air, while seam movement happens after the ball pitches. Against both, the principle is the same: play the ball late, close to your body and under your eyes, with soft hands. Getting your front foot close to the pitch of the ball reduces how much it can move after bouncing. Play with a straight bat and avoid driving away from your body at balls moving away. You will learn that against inswing you must protect your stumps and pads, and against outswing you must be disciplined about what you leave. Watch the first few balls closely to see how much the ball is moving.

• Swing moves in the air, seam off the pitch
• Play late, close to the body
• Get close to the pitch of the ball
• Inswing: protect stumps; outswing: leave wisely

In this lesson you will learn how to score against faster bowling without taking big risks. Because the ball arrives quickly, you often only need to meet it with the full face of the bat for it to travel to the boundary. Short-arm punches, controlled drives and steers behind point use the bowler's pace. Angling the bat to guide the ball into gaps, especially down to third man or fine leg, can bring easy runs in the powerplay when the field is up. You will learn that trying to hit fast bowling too hard often leads to mistimed shots. Focus on timing, placement and running hard between the wickets to keep the scoreboard moving.

• Meet the ball with the full face
• Punch, drive and steer using pace
• Guide the ball to third man and fine leg
• Timing and placement beat brute force

In this lesson you will look at fast short-pitched deliveries aimed at your body. Your options are to play a controlled pull, defend off the back foot, or take evasive action by ducking or swaying. You learned the techniques in WFA310 Pull Shot and Hook Shot, which is a useful companion to this module. The most important principle is to keep your eyes on the ball and never turn your back on it. You will learn to decide early, before the ball arrives, which option you will choose. Under the Laws of Cricket, umpires can act against dangerous short-pitched bowling, and the WFA competition regulations may limit short balls per over, so check them.

• Pull, defend, duck or sway
• Never turn your back on the ball
• Decide early which option to take
• Check the WFA regulations on short balls

In this lesson you will learn how to practise safely against pace. Always wear a helmet with a faceguard that meets the current British Standard, pads, gloves and a box, and consider thigh, arm and chest guards. Check that your equipment fits properly and is undamaged. In practice, build up pace gradually, starting with throw-downs or a bowling machine at moderate speed under trained supervision, before facing full-pace bowlers. Make sure nets are in good condition and that no one is in the line of fire. Any blow to the head must be treated seriously, and you should stop and follow the WFA head injury guidance. This lesson is not a substitute for a qualified coach.

• Full protective kit, properly fitted
• Build up pace gradually
• Machines only under trained supervision
• Stop and follow head injury guidance after any blow