Batting against pace is all about relying on your instincts. Every Test-level fast bowler reaches speeds above 80mph so, no matter who you're facing, the ball is moving so fast that there's no time to think about what you're doing - you've just got to react to it.

Facing fast bowling is mentally demanding so a good temperament is vital. You can't fear the pace but you must respect it. Be prepared to take a few hits but don't let them ruffle you. It hurts when you get hit so get ready to wear a few bruises.

You must stay positive, though. I always think you should treat fast bowling as an opportunity to score runs by using the bowlers' pace to your own advantage. The quicker the ball comes onto the bat the quicker it will go off. Runs can come quickly, too, especially if the ball is new and there are gaps in the field.

At the same time you need to be patient. Not every ball can be hit to the boundary. You have to accept that in almost every innings there will be periods where the bowlers will be on top. When they are it's a matter of getting through the spell and staying calm.

I keep my stance simple, standing on the line of the crease with my feet a comfortable width apart. My trigger movement is an initial small step forwards then, as the ball is released, a second small foot movement, only this time backwards towards my wicket. This provides a solid base from which I can react to the ball.

The faster the ball, the more exaggerated my second backward movement becomes. It's an instinctive thing. By getting onto my back foot I'm giving myself as much time as possible to react. It's only a fraction of a second extra but any time you can create helps.

As the bowler runs in I'm not thinking about him, his run-up, or his action - I'm concentrating on the ball in his hand, nothing else. I start to really focus on it when he gets to within three or four yards of hitting the crease.

Now it's down to your eyes. As the ball leaves the bowler's hand you have to pick it up against the sight-screen as quickly as possible and try to judge the angle and speed of the ball. I can sometimes tell by the bowler's action and the way that the ball comes out of his hand where it's going to pitch. This all happens subconsciously. In my mind I can tell, or predict, where the ball is going to hit.

If I'm playing well this can happen the moment the ball is released. As this happens your bat should be around hip height and parallel to the ground. You should be in the base position ready to trigger. There's no way you can predetermine what shot to play. This is where all the hours in the nets and instinct takes over.

As a batsman your mind and body is mentally and physically tuned into reacting in a split second. It becomes just that: a reaction. The shot that you play depends entirely where you think the ball is going to pitch. My natural inclination is to get onto the back foot as the pace of the ball will usually force you there anyway. It's also a good position to be in because you're a lot more likely to get out to pace bowling by trying to play a shot on the front foot.

Bouncers can be dangerous and yorkers are awkward to play but the outswinger is definitely the hardest ball to play. Outright pace is bad enough but when you add movement in the air - especially outswing - it becomes even more difficult.

Confidence, therefore, is one of the biggest factors in playing fast bowling. With it you have a belief that whatever you're facing you will be able to play a shot. Without it you get anxious about whether you're going to be able to react quickly enough and compensate by getting into position too early and start going for shots that aren't really there to be played. That's when you can get yourself in trouble and, almost certainly, out.