Well at last I've started to score a few runs. I even managed to tickle a leg glance round the corner for 4, and hit a nice square cut for 3.
Th transformation came about by switching back to using the keyboard as opposed to a gamepad, and just practicing the double tap button shots. It's a start, and hopefully I'll go on to get some more runs.
I'm still not happy with certain aspects of the AI play, such as the speed and accuracy of their fielding, the batsman walking across the crease to take up a stance where he knows the ball is coming before the bowler is halfway down his run. How the AI bowlers manage to get 2 Special balls in almost every over, and how their batsmen are able to miss a fielder almost every time they hit the ball.