First-Class batting tactics

[frustratedofnewport]

Yeah, it's another tactics question post from me.

FC batting used to be easy: whack it on 2 until the batsman's about 30% settled (I like to switch just as it passes the S of Settled) then on to 3. Job done.

My only modification was if there was a significant pitch/weather advantage to a given bowler, I'd go -1 aggression at all points, e.g. start at 1, go to 2 at about 30% and 3 at about 60%,

Let's hear yours: is anyone doing anything differently?

(This question driven by my Glamorgan team, who this season have started collapsing to <200 scores on flat, sunny wickets).

[Jamesy1984]

I tend to play 2 bar until they are 50% settled then go 3 if conditions favour the batsmen. If the pitch is a turning wicket drop aggression 1 against spinners and if seaming do the same to their best seamers

[Lynx54321]

I tend to play 2 bar until they are 50% settled then go 3 if conditions favour the batsmen. If the pitch is a turning wicket drop aggression 1 against spinners and if seaming do the same to their best seamers

I tend to do the same, though once a batsmen is fully settled depending on the pitch/situation in the match I may ramp the aggression up even more. If I've got 2 fully settled batsman, a flat pitch and we need quick runs for a declaration ill put them both on 1 below the max and play t20 style, doesn't always work but if you've wickets in hand it normally does ok.

I've also had rare occasions where when chasing a reasonable fourth innings total but without much time I'll start off with aggression at the highest point it remains on the yellow. High risk but I have had it pay off which can be a great feeling.

I don't get many draws funnily enough...

Have to say I think the first class match engine is superb.

[cde]

(This question driven by my Glamorgan team, who this season have started collapsing to <200 scores on flat, sunny wickets).

This games is very realistic!

I start the openers on 1 bar until they start to settle in - when the bar just starts to change - then go up to 2 until the bar is starting to change to green - about 70% - then go up to 3. The scoring rate can be slow with defensive batsmen but you can reap the rewards later. If I lose an opener quickly they start on 1 too.

If all is going well the new batsmen come in at 2 bars and move up to three depending on their skill level. Good batsmen on a decent pitch at 50%, weaker batsmen or on a challenging pitch at 70%.

If the conditions are challenging I drop it all down 1. If we are pushing for a total we go up.

I’ve mostly played as Glamorgan and the first seasons can be difficult, the batsmen have always been a weak point.

[cde]

(This question driven by my Glamorgan team, who this season have started collapsing to <200 scores on flat, sunny wickets).

I know that pain very well.

the best thing I learnt is not how to win first class matches but how to not lose them.

If you start as a weaker team you tend to find a lot of batsmen who average 30-35. Like all players some are consistently around their average, some are out for 10 a lot but get a few big scores. Either way the chances of being bowled for <200 are quite high. If You are the weaker team in the match or the form of the players is patchy remeber two things.

1. All pitches deteriorate so your best chances of scoring are in your first innings and

2. it does not matter how long this innings takes you. If anything time is your friend.

I open on 1 bar aggression and keep it up until they are about 40% settled. I am hoping to get 2-3 overs into the 1st bowling change’s overs. I then go up to 2 and stay there until they are fully settled then move up to 3.

New batsmen start at 2 and stay there until they are fully settled, unless they are a good player (40+ average) and I will up them to 3 when the bar starts to turn green, about 70%. Do not be tempted to let your good players rip, you need their runs even more in a weak team.

If I lose cheap wickets I go to 0 bars and hang in there, moving up to 1 at 50% and 2 at 100%, anything to stop their momentum and stop losing wickets.

If it takes 4 and a half sessions to reach 270 then it’s better than 180 in 2. By taking time out of the match you are both increasing the chances of a draw and of the opposition taking risks to force a win. You will also be bowling on a much more deteriorated pitch, giving your bowlers more opportunities.

This isn’t not exhilarating play but it keeps you in the match. As you strengthen your squad the opportunities open up, you don’t have to grind the runs all the time but have a few good batsmen who you can rely on to build quick partnerships around the weaker players. In an unequal partnership don’t push the weaker player to keep up, faster scoring comes through better players.

[galvatron]

I usually start on 1 or 2 bars, once settled a little go to 3 bars and once fully settled I go to 4 or 5. I find that going through the gears more quickly gets more runs and helps to settle quicker. If you stick on 1 or 2 bars it takes a lot longer for your batsmen to settle. Also in four day games you need to score quickly as it's hard to bowl out the opposition twice.

[cde]

galvatron what sort of strike rate are you getting? And what sort of totals? They sound like they should be pretty high.

[cde]

I should say about the above ‘not losing’ tactics that what I am usually trying to achieve when batting first is to maneuverer the opposition into a position where they are trying to chase about 250 total in 50-55 overs. I’m trying to get the AI into OD mode, but on a 4th day pitch the bowlers hold the upper hand and the chances of a win are in our favour.

[Chris_]

A big factor for me is form. I can have a great batsman throw wickets away if returning from International duty with 1 star form. Conversely a middle of the road batsman can score a great century if on 5 star form after playing for the 2nd team.

having said that, I also tend to go 2 bars —> 3 bars in good conditions and increase to 4 or even 5 when settled if the bowler is a good matchup. If the bowler is my batsman’s major weakness I might drop to 2 for them. Quite common that I have a batsman playing 4 bars against a seamer and 2 against a spinner when settled if that’s where their preference is. If the batsman is quite balanced I don’t split like that.

In worse conditions I start at 1 and work up to 2. Maybe 3 if pushing but that tends to be a risk if vision is poor particularly.

I’ve tried running at 0 when trying to play for a draw but somehow that feels like an instant get out button for some reason. Maybe it makes players try to play too defensive?

[frustratedofnewport]

Has anyone noticed a change in first class batting in the recent update?

I'm finding *a lot* more collapses. Even though I've improved my first class team since my first season, they're getting rolled for around 200 regularly now.

In my most recent match, we were all out 233 batting first. FFS, I thought, until we tumbled Leics for 113. Here we go, says I, unassailable fourth innings lead here we come.

I was 27 for 7. The bowlers manage to limp us to 100 but Leics easily chase down the 200 ish (aside: does the computer ever fail to chase sub 250 scores, given time, and if you've managed it, tell me how).

[frustratedofnewport]

I know that pain very well.

the best thing I learnt is not how to win first class matches but how to not lose them.

If you start as a weaker team you tend to find a lot of batsmen who average 30-35. Like all players some are consistently around their average, some are out for 10 a lot but get a few big scores. Either way the chances of being bowled for <200 are quite high. If You are the weaker team in the match or the form of the players is patchy remeber two things.

1. All pitches deteriorate so your best chances of scoring are in your first innings and

2. it does not matter how long this innings takes you. If anything time is your friend.

I open on 1 bar aggression and keep it up until they are about 40% settled. I am hoping to get 2-3 overs into the 1st bowling change’s overs. I then go up to 2 and stay there until they are fully settled then move up to 3.

New batsmen start at 2 and stay there until they are fully settled, unless they are a good player (40+ average) and I will up them to 3 when the bar starts to turn green, about 70%. Do not be tempted to let your good players rip, you need their runs even more in a weak team.

If I lose cheap wickets I go to 0 bars and hang in there, moving up to 1 at 50% and 2 at 100%, anything to stop their momentum and stop losing wickets.

If it takes 4 and a half sessions to reach 270 then it’s better than 180 in 2. By taking time out of the match you are both increasing the chances of a draw and of the opposition taking risks to force a win. You will also be bowling on a much more deteriorated pitch, giving your bowlers more opportunities.

This isn’t not exhilarating play but it keeps you in the match. As you strengthen your squad the opportunities open up, you don’t have to grind the runs all the time but have a few good batsmen who you can rely on to build quick partnerships around the weaker players. In an unequal partnership don’t push the weaker player to keep up, faster scoring comes through better players.

Sadly, I found this fashion got my batsmen out cheaply! Too long on Agg 1 and they just got out, having neither batted time nor scored runs.

[frustratedofnewport]

Has anyone noticed a change in first class batting in the recent update?

I'm finding *a lot* more collapses. Even though I've improved my first class team since my first season, they're getting rolled for around 200 regularly now.

In my most recent match, we were all out 233 batting first. FFS, I thought, until we tumbled Leics for 113. Here we go, says I, unassailable fourth innings lead here we come.

I was 27 for 7. The bowlers manage to limp us to 100 but Leics easily chase down the 200 ish (aside: does the computer ever fail to chase sub 250 scores, given time, and if you've managed it, tell me how).

I've now made less than 250 batting first in for consecutive games. I've been approx 100 for 4/5 in all of them. It's killing me! Has anyone else had these runs of insanely terrible luck or am I likely to be doing something wrong?

[Chris_]

I've now made less than 250 batting first in for consecutive games. I've been approx 100 for 4/5 in all of them. It's killing me! Has anyone else had these runs of insanely terrible luck or am I likely to be doing something wrong?

Are your batsmen all stuck on 0-2 stars Form? Do you have alternate batsmen at 3+ Form you could switch in to see if they perform better? Do you have a bunch of Spin Specialists with strong leg side preference facing teams full of seamers who bowl at middle to outside off?

[Sureshot]

I've now made less than 250 batting first in for consecutive games. I've been approx 100 for 4/5 in all of them. It's killing me! Has anyone else had these runs of insanely terrible luck or am I likely to be doing something wrong?

There was an FC scoring change in the last update which made it more realistic. This was roughly worked out at 20 runs per day over a season. The change won't affect "collapses".

[cde]

I was going to ask the player’s form. Are the whole team in poor form or is it a few key players?

If there are no viable alternatives through either lack of form or talent, I’ve found this quickly becomes a death spiral from which it is almost impossible to get out of, I’ve even sacrificed matches, putting my better (but out of form) players in the 2nd XI to build form and save them for the more lucrative T20s.

If you go for the slow and steady approach then you have to chose the players best able to make it work. At Glamorgan, for example, I seem to find that Humphrey is a player who lasts about 60 balls at most and no matter how careful you go he will last no more. If I have to adopt Cling On And Hope tactics He is almost useless. Selman on the other hand, if in decent form, seems to be able to bat for longer if batting carefully.