Batting Against the New Ball
Also known as: facing the new ball, seeing off the new ball, seeing off the shine, playing the new ball, batting against the new ball, batting against the second new ball
The new ball is hard and shiny with a raised seam. It swings, seams and bounces most. Against it, know your off stump, leave well, play late with soft hands and score mostly from balls on your pads or short and wide. Once the shine and hardness fade, batting usually gets easier.
Either captain may ask for a new ball at the start of each innings unless the teams agree otherwise (Law 4.3). In a match of more than one day, the fielding captain can take another after 80 overs (Law 4.4). In ODIs under ICC playing conditions, each side uses two new balls, one from each end, until over 34. Each new ball brings a fresh period of danger.
Batting plans for the new ball start with the leave. Much of the danger is outside off stump. Batters watch the shine in the bowler's hand. It tells them which way conventional swing will go. They play late and close to the body. They score off balls that drift onto the pads or are short and wide. Many openers aim to see off the first spell before playing their full range of shots.
Conditions change how long the new ball stays dangerous. Many players find it moves more under cloud and on a green pitch. A flat, dry pitch and a hot day shorten its life. Batters coming in at 3 or 4 should prepare as if they will face it too. In long matches, the second new ball can be just as hard to play as the first.
Tips by skill level
In the nets, ask the bowler to use a newer ball. Practise leaving and defending for the first two overs before playing any drives.
Track the overs. In a long match, know when the second new ball is due and aim to be set and focused when it arrives.
Example
The openers face a new red ball under cloud. They leave everything outside off stump for the first eight overs. Once the bowlers tire, they start driving and reach 60 without loss.
Why it matters
The first overs with a new ball decide many innings. A clear plan helps you survive the hardest spell and cash in later.
Common mistakes
- Driving at wide balls in the first few overs
- Ignoring the shine in the bowler's hand
- Pushing at the ball in front of the body with hard hands
- Relaxing when the second new ball is due
Frequently asked questions
How do I bat against the new ball?
Know your off stump and leave well. Play late with soft hands and score off balls on your pads or short and wide. Watch the shine in the bowler's hand to read the swing.
What does seeing off the new ball mean?
It means getting through the first spell with a new ball without losing wickets. The ball swings and seams most when it is new. Batting usually gets easier once it softens.
When is the second new ball taken?
In a match of more than one day, the fielding captain can take a new ball after 80 overs (Law 4.4). ODIs under ICC playing conditions use two new balls, one from each end, from the start.
Sources
Related terms
- New BallThe new ball is a freshly manufactured cricket ball at the start of an innings (or available after a set number of overs). This swings and seams most readily due to its hard, lacquered surface and prominent seam.
- Opening Batter (Opening the Batting)Opening batters bat first and face the new ball. To be a good opener, build a tight defence, know where your off stump is and leave well early on. Talk with your partner, run hard and score from bad balls. In limited-overs cricket, openers also use the powerplay to score while the field is up.
- Playing Swing and Seam BowlingTo play swing and seam bowling, know where your off stump is and leave balls you do not need to play. Watch the seam and shine in the bowler's hand, then play late under your eyes with a straight bat and soft hands. Let the ball come to you instead of reaching for it.
- Leaving the BallLeaving the ball means choosing not to play at a delivery and lifting your bat and hands up out of its path. As a result, it goes through to the keeper. Leave balls you judge will miss the stumps, usually those wide of off stump or bouncing over the top. Move your feet into position first, then lift the bat high and keep watching the ball until it passes you.
- Swing BowlingSwing bowling makes a fast-bowled ball curve sideways in the air, toward the batter (inswing) or away (outswing). The angled seam, helped by keeping one side shiny, makes the air flow differently over the two sides of the ball.
- Test Match Batting (Batting for a Long Time)Batting in a Test or multi-day match is about time at the crease as much as runs. Leave well, defend tightly and score off bad balls. Break the day into sessions and short goals, and be ready to get through hard spells against the new ball.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.