Hi trescho,

I had the same problem last year, I was amazing in the nets and struggled in the middle. It is definately a mind thing, but it's a positive as well as it shows you value your wicket and generally are very competitive. I found i batted very well when there was no pressure on me, so i guess the key is to convince yourslef that it's not the end of the world if you fail.

A trick i use, which may or may not help. I find talking to myself between balls helps me alot. Keep telling yourself to play each ball on it's merits and that way you will get rid of the pre-meditated defensive mode you seem to get yourself into when lacking confidence.

Good Luck!

Hi Matt,

What was the injury to the foot and how did it happen?

Yeh same here, I had it too. And you're right, if you convince yourself that the team isn't relying on you completely and you won't be the only one to ever fail, you should be alright.

Hi Liz,

The injury to my foot was done in two ways. Originally I was playing football and got somewhat crunched in a tackle. After limping off, I rested for about a week and everything seemed fine. Then, I was practising in the nets a week or so later and edged a drive into the knuckle part of my big toe. Immediately the area went black and swelled up. A quick trip to A&E revealed nothing was broken, just very badly bruised.

When did this happen?

Do you have any swelling/pain now?

The initial football related injury was about 6 weeks ago. And then the poorly timed shot would be around a month ago.

The swelling is gone. As is the pain. Unless however, any serious contact is made with the area around my big toe.

You probably do need to be a little careful for the next couple of weeks, then go for it.

I'm not sure any kind of support would help here.

Did you feel any discomfort around the arch area?

It's a very localized pain, just around that knuckle part of the big toe, I don't know what it's called. Nowhere else on my foot hurts, or even has any discomfort at all.

The big toe is a phalanx; the hallux.  The joints are just called distal or proximal.

You can play as normal, it should be fine but if you are worried, try rugby forwards boots; the ones with steel toe caps 

Seriously, go for it.  If you feel any discomfort, stop immediately and apply ice.

cheers jonesy and madbunny for the advice.I'l try out your advice on saturday and tell u my scores.btw thats exactly what it is madbunny pre-meditated defensive just thinkin to myself just try and not get out and im not having the confidence to play my shots.

I had a similar injury to the point of my left ankle a couple of weeks ago, Matt. It still hurts if it gets hit, but I find not thinking about it when batting is the best option. Ignore it unless you hit it again.

Can someone plz help me with any confidence tips i was in the middle for about 15 overs and only got 6 and had no confidence.Can any1 help me and give me any tips on how to get this confidence in the middle because ive strated to doubt my own ability.pleeeeassse