But first a question – Why are cricketers hesitant to open?
This scenario usually presents itself at most amateur clubs at some point or another. Usually the waiting list for the opening slot is noticeably shorter than the highly-coveted middle order. The answer is fairly simple once you think about it from a batters perspective. You’ll have to face the fastest or most consistent bowlers, at their freshest and against a new ball that will be doing a bit assuming the infamous English overcast conditions decide to grace your match with their presence, which believe me they will.
In order for you to make any runs as opening, you’ll have to see off the threat of the new ball, take the shine off, tire the bowlers out and only then think about cashing-in. At that point if you get out, you’ll obviously miss out but at least you’ll have set your teammates in good stead to capitalise.
And this basically answers the second conundrum of deciding a batting order. Why oh why does everyone want to bat in the middle order?
As explained above, it’s because the ball isn’t new, there isn’t much movement, the opening (best) bowlers are off and there is less time to build an innings so there is the license to hit out from first ball with little consequence for failure.
Batting order – guide and expectations:
· Top order (openers and batter three)
Openers – Require solid defence and the ability to play long. One batsman could be defensive minded who rotates strike and takes a while before playing shots and the other could be an attacking batsman.
Number 3 – Traditionally the best batsman in the team. Could come in at 0/1 and has to rebuild or after 80/1 and solidify the advantage. Should be good in defence and attack.
· Upper Middle order (batters four to six)
Number 4 – Attacking batsman. Hopefully comes in after a good start against relatively weaker bowlers and dominates. Should be able to play spin well and rotate strike.
Number 5 & 6 – Licence to attack but still have enough time to settle in and build and innings.
· Lower Middle order (batters seven and eight)
Number 7 & 8 – Most likely all-rounders who can bat as well as those above but come down the order due to bowling responsibility. When they come in, either you’re dominating and they’re there to drum up the total or you’re struggling and it’s their job to post a decent total on the board or finish the chase.
· Tail Enders (batters nine to eleven)
Number 9, 10 & 11 – The main bowlers should be here. Batting ability may vary from really good to only adequate. Despite that they can be crucial as in a tight game it’ll be down to them to either hit the winning runs or add whatever extra runs they can add to the total.
At this juncture at our club, if games are played till 40th over, it’s likely everyone will have batted as the top & middle order has yet to master defence and the ability to play long innings.
Source – https://www.pitchvision.com/why-everyone-wants-to-bat-in-the-middle-order-and-what-to-do-about-it#/
Further Reading –
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40608270?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
Switch Hitters Cricket Club 