Only played hard ball cricket once. Didn't bat, didn't bowl. Took two catches at mid on.
Taped tennis ball or regular tennis ball, that I'm familiar with. Left arm orthodox, managing wicked drift if some of the tape is coming off of the ball, slight drift into the right hander otherwise.
Don't put me too close to the bat but I'm no boundary-rider either. The covers, midwicket or mid off/on for me.
As far as batting, I'm working on improving it. Sometimes I feel as if my feet are glued to the ground. That needs fixing, and with time it will get there.