Cricket is a game that is probably most enjoyed by a player while he is batting. Hitting the ball around the park and making people run after it and getting the bowler all agitated and angry can be a very empowering feeling. On the other hand this aspect of the game is probably the most […]
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Cricket is a game that is probably most enjoyed by a player while he is batting. Hitting the ball around the park and making people run after it and getting the bowler all agitated and angry can be a very empowering feeling. On the other hand this aspect of the game is probably the most unforgiving as well. As a bowler you have so many balls to bowl in a match that after a bad ball, or even after an over of bad balls, you can still come back again and try to get things right. As a fielder you can miss at times, drop a few but the moment you manage to catch on in your hands you are a hero and all else is forgiven.
For a batsman, though, there are no second chances, unless the umpire has other ideas, which is not very often. As a batsman if you make a mistake and nobody else on the field does (like dropping a catch or missing a run-out), you are doomed. There is no ‘OK, I will do better on the next ball’, as there will be no next ball for you. That is why being technically sound is very important for a batsman if he wants to enjoy the game and play to his full potential.
The Grip
The first, and foremost thing about batting is to learn how to hold the bat. The correct grip should not only give the batsman full control over his shot but should also be relaxed and natural. To achieve a good grip keep the hands close to each other. When you hold the bat, both the fingers and the thumb, should be wrapped around the handle in a way that they make a ‘V’. The grip of the top hand should be firmer than the bottom, as the bottom hand will be used to do the finer placements of the ball.
The most important thing to remember though is that don’t try to force yourself into anything which doesn’t feel right. Many great batsmen didn’t go by the rule book and had very different individual grips and yet they played beautiful. Quite a few big hitters of the cricket ball tend to use the long handle.
The Stance
The ideal stance for batting would be a well-balanced one. The batsman should have his feet comfortably apart, with his weight equally distributed on both feet and on the balls rather than the heels. The head should be steady and eyes on a level and the bat should be touching the ground close to the toes.
Just like the grip, every batsman needs to find the ideal stance for himself. Over the years many different stances have been taken up by successful players, some very graceful and some rather weird to look at but the bottom line is that the player should be comfortable and well-balanced when he gets ready to face the ball.
Shot Making
One of the most important rules to be kept in mind while batting is to get to the ‘pitch of the ball’. Try to play the ball as close to the body as possible. Fishing outside the line of the ball and far away from your body is going to cause loss of control over the shot and produce undesirable results. When you decide to play a shot make sure that you follow through properly. Pulling out in the middle of the shot is never a good idea.
Normally, there are two ways of playing the ball in cricket; either on the front foot or on the back. While playing front foot shots, defensive or offensive, make sure that you keep your head on top of the ball and low, as that will make the ball travel along the ground. Get your weight forward and remember to follow through in the direction you play the shot.
Playing on the back foot tends to give the player a little more time to see the ball out of the bowler’s hand. For playing on the back foot one needs to stand tall and keep the weight on the balls of the feet. With a head that is still, a back foot drive can look as elegant as any cricketing shot can be. Though it is harder to hit back foot shots but they increase the options for the batsman to stay on top of the bowling. While playing defensive shots try to keep your head on top of the ball and get as low on the ball as possible.
At times it is assumed that to play big shots one has to hit the ball hard to make it go the extra mile. The truth of the matter though is that the best lofted shots and big hits are those that are timed sweetly rather than thrashed hard.
Running between the wicket
It might not seem to be a part of batting to some but the fact is that being able to run between the wickets efficiently and safely is a big part of becoming a successful batsman, especially with the immaculate fielding that is being produced on a regular base these days. If one has to take full advantage of being able to place the ball into gaps, the ability to run is inevitable. Good batsmen are generally, though not always, very good runners between the wickets.
While batting, whether you are the striker or the non-striker, be ready at all times to take a quick single. It can not only pressurize the fielding side but also can relieve any pressure that the batsman might get under if they fail to score boundaries and keep the score board ticking.
When taking a start for a run, the weight should ideally be forward. Try to run in a straight line to minimize the distance that is to be covered to take the run. Keep the bat outstretched and drag it into the crease. Crossing the popping crease and then having your bat hanging in the air and losing your wicket is one of the silliest ways of getting out.
An important aspect of running is proper calling. The call for a run should always be loud and clear and either ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘wait’, so as not to cause confusion. The general rule of calling is that the batsman facing the ball gives the call and the other batsman trusts his word. For instance, if a batsman hits the ball down to long on it is the striker’s call and his partner should be ready to run when called. ‘Ball watching’ is the term used by cricketers for batsmen who are caught looking at the ball instead of their partner when it is their partner’s call to run or stay put.
Temperament
It is not always physical skills that make a good batsman. There have been many gifted players that fell short of being greats of the game just because they did not have the gift of a good ‘temperament’. The ability to cope with the stress of playing in front of millions of people, and the ability to absorb the pressure of scoring quick runs or facing nagging bowling comes from the mind. Strong minds tend to think positively and the weaker ones panic. A good batsman always remembers that the worst dent he can inflict on a bowler’s mind is to pinch a single right after hitting him for a boundary. A cool head in testing times is a blessing, however, it is an ability every batsman can work on. Groom yourself.
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