Advice From The Pros: Twenty20 Batting

Batting at number three in t20 cricket this season has seen Matt Wood at the centre of Notts Outlaws’ batting efforts.

Innings such as his unbeaten 51 against Derbyshire have cemented his role as an aggressive batsman in this form of the game. The question for many club cricketers in this shorter form of the game is how to shape their innings, how to attack, and at what point in the innings. We spoke to Matt Wood recently about the technicalities behind shaping an innings in t20 cricket.

How different is Twenty20 cricket for a batsman in comparison to the longer forms of the game?

It’s very different. Things happen much quicker in Twenty20, but your innings should be shaped in a similar way. The only difference is that you have less time to get yourself in. The key thing in Twenty20 is to back yourself and the shots you play from ball one.

Do you go out as a team at the start of an innings saying “we’re going to get 200 today”, or assess the situation through the innings?

The most important thing is for your openers to let you know what the pitch is playing like. Then as the innings progresses you can re-assess the situation as the overs go by. You’re not going to score 200 as a team every week, but you have to be as positive as the game allows you.

How does the short-term preparation alter for a t20 innings, with warm ups we often see players practising big shots or hitting half volleys, how do you personally like to prepare for a t20 match?

I personally like to get used to hitting the ball out of the middle of the bat. The majority of your preparation should be done well in advance, earlier in the week. On match day it should be all about feeling good in the way you’re hitting the ball.

How important is it to get off to a quick start in an innings for an individual?

You shouldn’t be too worried about going off really quickly, as you still need to allow yourself time to get in. Players often make the mistake of taking risks too early when you have more time than you think. It is possible to make up dot balls you faced earlier in the innings later on. As I bat at number three often there will be an opener settled, so it’s more important to pick up singles and get them back on strike.

How much should you look to target the fielding restrictions?

You must target them. With only two fielders outside the ring it’s the perfect opportunity to clear or go through the field. The ball is at it’s hardest too and coming onto the bat well so it’s an ideal time to attack.

However the team’s position within the game must affect how you go about your own innings? 20-3 is a much different situation to 60-0…

You should always assess the risks. You’re going to take fewer risks at 20-3, but whatever the situation you must remain positive as a batsman.

Often we hear about one batsman playing the anchor role and another taking on a more adventurous role, how important is it to keep the scoring going despite taking on the more cautious role?

Most of the time one batsman will be going better than the other so it naturally falls that one will attack more than the other. If you’re not going as well you should be rotating the strike, taking singles and getting your partner back on strike. It’s rare that you get two batsmen both playing really well.

Is hitting the boundaries the most important aspect of an innings? Or should players be trying to keep the strike rotating with singles?

Players get too obsessed with playing big shots. The important thing is to know where you can hit the gaps in the field. It’s a waste of time swishing and only getting one boundary off the over. If you can’t play the big shots six two’s an over can be equally as important as scoring boundaries.

Moving on to the technicalities of playing the big shots, it’s important to keep your shape whilst attempting to hit the ball for 6?

The key thing is to watch the ball and get a solid base. If you watch someone like David Hussey, he rarely misses the ball because he has such a solid base and doesn’t take his eye off the ball.

How about the dangers of hitting across the line? Is it the safest option to take?

It has to happen for people to hit areas where there is no fielder. My advice would be to focus on hitting the ball straight though. Often they’re the shortest boundaries, and the areas with the least fielders. Players often get tied down trying to hit across the line.

What’s your personal favourite big scoring shot?

I like to hit the ball as straight and as hard as I can. But for others you should hit the ball into the area you’re most comfortable with, with the shot you’re most comfortable with.

How about the more innovative shots, like the reverse sweep. Can these shots play a role in a club cricketer’s innings? Or should they be left to the professionals!

Sure they can play a role with club cricketers, why not? If you’re confident enough then go for it. They must be practiced though. You can’t go out trying to sweep the ball over your head if you’ve never played the shot before.