Reading a slower ball

**Mousey** · 8 Jan 2009, 05:20

I'm having trouble reading slower balls. A lot of the time play too early and scoop it up. On some occasions I've even been too late, either missing it completely or nicking it through to the keeper... I just can't seem to time it. Last week I was on 81 and miss timed a slower ball on the legs, turned my wrists and got a leading edge straight back to the bowler. Any tips?

**Virendersingh.berthwal** · 8 Jan 2009, 11:22

Mousey,

Judging from my experience i feel it is requires
to be patient and practice a lot.

Watching the ball very closely with a steady head with out losing Ur concentration to read a well disguised slower one is important.
I am lucky to have 4 fast bowlers in my team who bowl very efficient slower balls so i do get good amount of batting practice in the nets.

So have patience,watch the ball and practice.

Virender

**Mousey** · 9 Jan 2009, 02:24

Thanks mate. So watch the ball out of the hand and onto the bat and practise alot and you think I should have no problems? Awesome, I thought it might have been a matter of technique or something. Thanks again.

**Biggie** · 9 Jan 2009, 03:07

Just gotta watch it out the hand so very closely.

Get your bowlers to mix it up for you in the nets. Practise practise practise

siddle2franklin · 9 Jan 2009, 03:23

yeh i agree
watch for any variation in the bowlers action
except in the case of a samra

Liz Ward · 9 Jan 2009, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by siddle2franklin

...watch for any variation in the bowlers action

Totally! I have a gravity defying 'floater' indiscernible from the hand; the difference is in my shoulder

**Mousey** · 9 Jan 2009, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by siddle2franklin

yeh i agree
watch for any variation in the bowlers action
except in the case of a samra

Yeh, but that's a bull delivery mate. Face it and you'll understand, lol.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Egg · 9 Jan 2009, 17:49

Most slower balls the bowler either holds their fingers on either side of the ball so they cant grip it as well and it just floats out, or they roll their fingers down one side of the ball or it comes out of the back of the hand. So if you just watch their hand/fingers or notice a variation in their bowling delivery you should be right. Just lots of concentration.

phil2oo8 · 10 Jan 2009, 09:50

unless its the slower ball that gets me when they bowl from further back in the crease which is a proper ARSE to pick because you know somethings wrong woth the action but you don't no what.

jainy25 · 11 Jan 2009, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egg

Most slower balls the bowler either holds their fingers on either side of the ball so they cant grip it as well and it just floats out, or they roll their fingers down one side of the ball or it comes out of the back of the hand. So if you just watch their hand/fingers or notice a variation in their bowling delivery you should be right. Just lots of concentration.

I agree to you 100%. It's all about concentration. Just keep your eyes on the ball (and the bowler's hand) right from the moment the bowler runs in from his run-up.