Building an Innings
Also known as: build an innings, building an innings, pacing an innings, getting your eye in, playing yourself in, converting a start
Build an innings in stages. Spend your first balls getting used to the pace and bounce, scoring mainly from singles and bad balls. Once you are set, widen your scoring shots and push the rate. After a milestone, reset and start again instead of relaxing.
Many coaches see the first few overs at the crease as the riskiest. Your eyes and feet are still adjusting to the light, the pitch and the bowler. Play close to your body, leave well and look for easy singles. A batter who gets through this phase earns the chance to make a big score.
Once you feel set, expand. Add the shots you trust for this pitch and bowler. Rotate the strike to keep the scoreboard moving and to stop bowlers settling. Pick out the bowlers you can score off and play the dangerous ones carefully. In limited-overs cricket, match the tempo to the phase and the target.
Many batters get a start and then get out. Cricket calls this failing to convert. It often follows a loss of focus after a milestone or a sudden change of tempo. Set small targets, such as the next 10 runs or the next drinks break. After 50 or 100, take guard again and treat it as a fresh start. Talk with your partner between overs to keep the plan clear.
Tips by skill level
Set yourself a target of batting 20 balls before trying any risky shot. Note how it changes your scores over a few games.
Plan the innings with checkpoints, such as your score at 10, 20 and 30 overs. Adjust the tempo at each one to the match situation.
Example
The number 4 comes in with the ball swinging. She scores 9 off her first 30 balls, mostly singles. Once settled, she starts driving and cutting and moves from 50 to 100 in 70 balls.
Why it matters
Big scores rarely come from attacking every ball from the start. A plan for each stage gives you a better chance of turning a start into a match-winning innings.
Common mistakes
- Trying to hit boundaries before you have judged the pitch
- Losing focus straight after reaching 50
- Getting stuck, then playing a rash shot to break free
- Ignoring the match situation when choosing the tempo
Frequently asked questions
How do I build an innings in cricket?
Start by getting used to the pace and bounce, scoring from singles and bad balls. Once set, expand your shots and rotate the strike. After a milestone, reset and keep going.
How do I get my eye in when I first come in to bat?
Play close to your body and leave balls you do not need to play. Look for easy singles to get off strike and settle. Watch the ball closely from the bowler's hand.
How do I turn a start into a big score?
Set small targets, such as the next 10 runs or the next break. Keep rotating the strike and stick with the shots that are working. Take guard again after each milestone instead of relaxing.
Related terms
- 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.
- One-Day International (ODI)A one-day international is an international match where each team bats once, for up to 50 overs. Each bowler can bowl no more than 10 overs. The fielding side is limited to two fielders outside the 30-yard circle in overs 1 to 10, four in overs 11 to 40 and five in overs 41 to 50. A tie is settled by a Super Over.
- CenturyA century is a batting milestone of 100 or more runs scored by a single batter in one innings — the most celebrated individual achievement in cricket batting.
- JudgmentJudgment in cricket batting is the ability to quickly decide which deliveries to play and which to leave, choosing the right shot for each ball bowled.
- Finding Gaps in the FieldTo find gaps, look at the field before every ball and pick the space you will aim for. Then use the angle of the bat face and soft or firm hands to place the ball there. Hit along the ground into the space between fielders and run hard for the single.
- Batting IntentBatting intent means looking to score off every ball you can, instead of waiting for the bowler to make a mistake. It shows in your footwork, your trigger and your readiness to run. Intent is not the same as slogging. A clear leave or a firm defensive shot can still show intent.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.