The batting aggression is easier in T20s so I'll go there first.
For the majority of the time I start at 7 bars (1st into the amber) and will stay there until the settled bar is halfway. There is then a decision to make about moving it up on a few criteria:
- If the batsman's form is 70% it goes up one, if their form is below this I hang on until the last three overs.
- If the weather is overcast I hang on until the bar turns a hint of green.
- If I have just lost a wicket I hang on an over.
- The run rate is getting away from me. If it creeps above whatever the average run rate I need I up the aggression because it is better to drag that down at the cost of a wicket than let it get away from you.
I deviate from this if it is a bouncy pitch in overcast conditions or turning square with excellent spinners bowling at me, in which case each batsman gets 6 balls at 6 bar aggression unless I'm in the last 4 overs.
Also, if I am chasing a big total I start off at 7 bars then move up the gears quickly, assuming that if they were batting at 8-9 an over so can I.
If I have wickets in hand I up to 8 with 3 overs remaining and 9 in the last. If I am setting a total and am down to the bowlers I bat at 7 bars because 5 from an over is better than 1 and a wicket.
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