Ok so I have not played Cricket 19 much of late during this lockdown but mainly spent time with the family in between work from home. In fact, during the last month, I think I have played only 2 test matches. But, as is their nature, the best things would always happen when you least expect those. Today was one of those days.
I think, to some extent, I have figured out how batsmen coming down the wicket in Cricket 19 test matches could be triggered. At least, for standard hard pitches.
Of course, I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that this will work all the time. However, I tried it today and saw the batsmen coming down the wicket not once or twice, but on 7 occasions within a span of I think 33-35 overs (spinner overs=10-12). Out of these 7 instances, 3 were dismissals, including a stumping with proper animation (oh yes, it does exist!).
Here’s the link to my video where you can see how the Australia 98/99 batsmen came down the wicket to play spinners like Richards and Gomes. It was pure bliss to see the centurion Taylor and the almost-centurion Gilchrist get out after coming down the wicket. Recently, I took the decision not to bowl spinners for more than 4 overs per session as they take away all the competition that the AI batsmen can put up. This is true even with settings of AI timing 90 and wicket chance 10 in the first innings, everything else on hard and legend. However, once I saw the batsman coming down the wicket for the first time, I thought maybe I should experiment a bit. Rotated the two spinners from one end while having a pacer from the other side. The results were a pleasant surprise. Not only is dancing down the wicket a reality in Cricket 19, but stumping too!
Just some days back, I was watching Chris Swift’s video on how stumpings and outfield catches were missing from Cricket 19 but were there in Ashes Cricket 17. Cricket 19 is my first Big Ant game, and I was also bothered by an absolute lack of those (ok, I’ve had one outfield catch before when the batsmen came down the wicket, but that has been the only 1 in my 18 tests.). I’m glad that the stumping plan has worked for me. I will be experimenting more but thought about sharing this here so that you all can give it a shot. Makes the game so much better. Tagging
@blockerdave @Langeveldt @ChrisCricket @Dutch @wasteyouryouth @Gamer Pradosh @DalePlaysCricket
Anyways, this is what I would recommend for stumpings:
1. Get the spin flight to at least 70. AI loves to hit loopy deliveries.
2. Get spin bounce to 60. This will help in the AI mistiming.
3. This works mainly for set batsmen with defensive or very defensive fields with at least 5-6 outfielders. They will go for the lofted shots. If he is the aggressive type, it’s even better. However, I have seen this plan work against tail-enders (the dominant scorer in the partnership) too in custom fields with only 1-2 outfielders.
4. Also, try this when the batsmen are in their 40s and 90s. I love how Big Ant’s AI gets nervous while approaching a milestone.
5. Shock the AI with part-time spinners, especially if the established pacemen are keeping it very tight at the other end. It worked for me. I had Marshal, Garner, and Holding hurling fireballs from both ends before giving the Aussies some respite in the form of Gomes and Richards. Not sure, but I think the huge change of pace during successive overs also helps.
6. Have the keeper up. Bowl the typical 3-4 normal deliveries to create pressure. During the last two deliveries, at least once, try to bowl very far outside off so that he would not reach it. This will be the wicket-taking ball. Bowling outside leg also triggers the batsmen advancing, although I did not take any wickets. Must have to be really wide.
7. If he picks up the wide flighted ones well, then, in the next over, try the same line and length with bounce (faster delivery) which would shock him.
8. Have either silly point or short leg for the wicket-taking delivery. If not being stumped, batsmen could balloon it up as well.
9. If your spinner is not getting the batsmen to come down the wicket in 4 overs, switch to a different bowler.
10. Have patience. Don’t overdo the flight and bounce. Stick to a maybe one stumping delivery per over.
That’s it. I hope this works for you all. Try it, and share your experience too.
