[Style Mantra]

Batting Tips

The Ideal Grip:

Hands close together on the handle. Neither very tight nor very loose. Both hands close together and should be positioned in the center of the bat handle. Both palms should create a "V" in straight line running down the center of the back of the bat.



Its Simple:
The bat grip is the first step towards batsman ship, obviously very important. A correct grip gives your batting the flair and does not restrict your range of shots.The ideal grip prescribed above is a distinct advantage to have as a batsman, but do not make the mistake of forcing yourself into the correct grip. Try it for a few days see how it goes. Discard it if you do not quite find it comfortable. That’s the key, comfort. You have to be comfortable with your grip. Remember what Dilip Vengsarkar has said in his tips. Its good to have the ideal grip but it does not guarantee success. Great batsmen are proof of that. All of them did not have the ideal grip.



A small piece of advice:
It’s always a good idea to keep the top hand tighter on the bat handle.

[Style Mantra]

The Ideal Stance:

Both feet comfortably apart. Neither too close nor too wide. Do keep the weight on the balls of your feet not on the heels. Weight equally divided on both feet. Front shoulder pointing straight down the pitch, in line with the stumps at the opposite end. Knees slightly bent, head still, eyes steady and leveled. Bat grounded just around the toes of your back foot.



Its Simple:
A good stance is a well balanced stance ! You may not fulfill all the requirements of the ideal stance mentioned above, but if you feel nicely balanced and relaxed in your position to face the ball, that’s your stance! Greg Chappell, great batsman with a great balance once told me about a gentleman who taught him a few new things on balance but after he had retired! "Oh! I could have easily got a lot more runs in my career if I had met this man earlier." Thank god for that I can hear the bowlers saying. That’s how important balance in this sport is. Do not complicate things by worrying about each aspect of the stance.

The idea is to be just well balanced. If you feel even slightly off balance, it’s not the stance for you. Before the ball is delivered many young batsman commit the mistake of lifting the bat straight, in stance. This is in an effort to keep the bat straight but this will unbalance you. Allow yourself to lift the bat, in stance, from the direction of 3rd slip or gully as the bowler runs in. It helps exceedingly in the balance. But remember, when the bat comes down to meet the ball it must come down as straight as possible as shown in Pic. This is vitally important to survive at the highest level. So remember good balance, Bat feeling a part of yourself, weight on the balls of the feet so you are quick to react. These are the things you concentrate on with your stance.

[Style Mantra]

The Ideal Front Foot Defense-(Played to a ball pitched on good length)

Front foot stretched out to the pitch of the ball. Back foot grounded front knee bent, bat slightly in front of the leading leg. Nice soft palms. Face of the bat straight, facing down the pitch. Head on top of the ball.

Its Simple:
The most important thing to do is get as close to the pitch of the ball as possible. Front leg besides the pitch of the ball and not in line of the pitching of the ball. Bending of the front knee is vital helps get on top of the ball better. Head’s position is extremely important, get it on top of the ball and getting low on the ball is also a good idea. Don’t push at the ball once you have decided to defend the ball. Do keep your arms, and palm relaxed not too stiff and strong. Get the ball dead, close to you. That’s good defense, away from close catchers.

[Style Mantra]

The Ideal Back Foot Defense-(played to a ball pitched short of good length)

Back foot well back into your stumps in line with the off stump. The front foot follows. Stay side on. Front elbow rises up in line with the ball. Bottom hand loose on the handle. Weight in front.

Its Simple:
Very, very important to have a good back foot defense to survive at the international level where fast bowlers rule. Once you see the ball short, important to rock back quickly close to the stumps, making full use of the ample space provided in the batting "box". Don’t stay on the heels. Get that left elbow high, and keep your head in front. Don’t push too much with bottom hand keep that hand soft and closely tucked to your body. Common weaknesses of many Indian batsmen who tend to push out their bottom hand in defense much to the delight of slip fielder. Do get the back foot defense organized early in your career. Don’t leave it for late it might be too late! Sachin is phenomenal with his stroke play has a tremendous defense as well.

[Style Mantra]

DRIVES- (Aggressive shots played to balls off length but not necessarily off line)

It’s an extension of a defensive shot. If you are in a position early you can play a forcing attacking shot from that position even to a good ball. With the drive, you get into a similar position of a defensive shot, but only this time you extend the bat play. You go through with the swing in the direction of the ball and follow through of the bat is in the direction of the shot.


Off Drive

Playing the ball that is around the off stump in the region of mid-off


Cover Drive

Drive played through extra cover region to a slightly wider delivery.


Square Drive

Drive played squarer to a wider deliver on the off stump


On Drive

A rare shot these days played between mid on and mid wicket.


Straight Drive

A shot played with a vertical bat, between mid off and mid on.


Its Simple:
In case of a front foot drive get to the pitch, and besides the line of the ball. Get your head low and on top of the ball. This will move your weight forward. It will also get that power and letting the bat follow through, in the direction of the shot (beautifully done by Anwar) will get you that extra run. Four instead of three! Remember to keep that top hand firm on the handle. This will take care of the bottom hand dominating too much.


Back Foot Drive

In my eyes are more difficult to play than front foot drives and more pleasing to watch. To be a top-level batsman you need to have these shots in your armory. Standing tall on the balls of your feet, head level and steady, front elbow pulled skywards (See Pic.) allows you to play a great drive of the back foot. One that will bring the crowd on their feet.

[Style Mantra]

SQUARE CUT (played to a ball short in length and wide of the off stump)

A horizontal bat shot. Once the ball is seen short and wide of the off stump. Getting that backfoot close to the stumps in line with the off stump. Free your arms and get those wrists to close on top of the ball, face of the bat on top of the bounce of the ball. Keep your head steady.




Its Simple:
Quickly transfer your weight on to the back foot but remember to keep that head on top of the ball. Do not drop your head back, you will lose control of the shot. This is not an easy shot to control. It’s a good idea to get tall on the balls of your feet again, and try to get your eyes on top of the ball. Always advisable to play the square cut down. Important to get that back lift high initially once you see the ball short helps greatly in keeping the ball down. Use the bottom hand and wrist of the bottom hand more than the top hand. This is a bottom hand shot.

[Style Mantra]

THE PULL (Played to a ball short in length, bouncing adequately but not necessarily off line)

Again get that rear foot across to the off stump. Get outside the line of the ball. The front foot swings to the leg side to open you up. Swing your bat horizontally in front of the body. Face of the bat closing down on the ball. Full follow through of the bat.



Its Simple:
Very important to quickly get that back foot across on the off stump you can even afford to go further outside the off stump. Get that bat swing high and over the height of the ball and try to bury that ball into the ground. All this with keeping your head steady (great position of Taylor’s head in Pic.). This will get you to play a safe but a very effective pull shot.

[Style Mantra]

The Sweep Shot-(Played to a good length ball from a spinner)

Front foot stretches outside the line of the ball, back foot goes down parallel to the ground, high back lift with the bat coming horizontally and over the bounce of the ball, follow through finishing over the leading shoulder.




Its Simple:
A very effective and important shot against spinners recommended to be played with the spin. It’s unique in a way that it was most ideally played against a good length ball. You can imagine what effect it must have on a bowler that his best ball was swept for four! Important to judge the length of the ball, avoid playing this shot to an over-pitched or a short delivery. Covering the stumps with your pads just in case you miss the delivery is also important. Vital to have high back swing to get on top of the bounce to avoid getting the leading edge. It can be a very risky shot if not played well. Highly recommended for one-day cricket.

[Style Mantra]

THE LOFTED SHOT- (An attacking shot played in the air)

This short is a strong weapon of any batsman. A bowler will always be a wary of a batsman who lofts well. Picking the length to loft is the crucial decision a batsman needs to make . 1. Never attempt to loft an over pitched delivery. 2. Do not lift your head to try and scoop the ball. Keep your head down and allow your arms instead of the whole body to get into the lofting act A good indicator of a lofted shot executed well is, by the time you look up the ball should be well on its way. Many batsmen make the mistake of trying to hit the ball too hard to get power. Keep your head still, arms going through with hands firm on the bat handle, and a good follow through of the bat will ensure that the ball travels a long distance.

[Style Mantra]

Taking Evasive Action

This you will need to do time and again, not in one-day cricket but certainly in the longer variety of the game as well. How you handle quick and short balls tells a lot about a batsman and is watched with a keen interest by fellow cricketers. It’s a good idea sometimes to decide in your mind, what you are will do when a short, quick ball is bowled at you. Are you going to take the bowler on by playing the hook or pull or just leave it? If you decide to leave it its a good idea to duck, go underneath a bouncer that is pitched in line off the stump. Anything around the off stump swaying away is a better idea. Remember one thing to do all this you have to watch the ball at all time even when ducking. Batsmen, who have had a nasty injury of a short ball, later tend to freeze when a bouncer is bowled at them. Their confidence runs low. Only way one can overcome that is to go out there in the middle and keep facing those quick short balls to get over your fear. Correcting your technique of handling the bouncers is only half the battle won.

Running Between The Wickets

Can’t stress enough on the importance of this area of the game. A good team is a team that runs well between wickets.All great batsmen have been good runners between wickets.

Ideal habit to form is taking a start with weight forward as a non-striker bat in your left hand if you are standing around the wicket and vice versa. As a non-striker you take the initiative of calling for a run for everything that is in front of you. When the ball is hit behind you it is the strikers call. You will realize that you have a lot to do even when you are not facing the ball. Here is when a lot of batsmen make the mistake of relaxing and taking their mind of the game once they are off strike.This relaxed approach often resulted in the form of run outs.

If you are the striker make it a habit to call loudly for a run. It’s a good habit to form as you play higher level of cricket it will get noisier in the stadium. "Yes" and "No" are the basic calls. Sometimes you could call "waiting" when you are waiting for the ball to pass a fielder. Avoid calls like "Go" which could be confused for "No". Another crucial part of running between wickets is grounding the bat in the crease when finishing or going for another run try and stretch as much as possible and slide that bat through and not plunk it inside. The idea is to get you to run as less a ground as possible to complete a run. Sandip Patil was a master of this Good start and a long stretch to finish a run. Never looked in desperate hurry to complete a run, but, always made that run. Excellent runner between wickets.

Save that extra second that’s the idea. Remember one of the biggest enemies of batsman these days is the third umpire.

[Style Mantra]

Bowling Tips

Fast Bowling Tips by Muhammad Sami

Not only the bowling arm but the other arm is also very important while delivering the ball. The other arm assists in generating extra pace.



Head Still

Head position is equally important to keep your body balanced, as well as to bowl on a line consistently.



Position before delivery



Sami is about to release the ball



Side on view of Sami's delivery stride



Eye on the spot

A bowler should know where he wants to pitch the ball.



Run up

Run up is the key for any fast bowler. Smooth and hassle-free run up produces effective results.



In Swing

It does not matter how quick you are, because quick you come quicker you go. Hence only movement off the wicket or in the air can transform you into a lethal fast bowler.



Out Swing

This very delivery keeps the slip fielders interested, however needs perfection.

[Style Mantra]

Spin it like Kaneria

Leg Spin Grip




Leg Spin




Googly




Flipper

[Desert_ Rules]

Awesome work asjad!

[Style Mantra]

thnx bro !!!

[Style Mantra]

The Ideal Run Up
A smooth rhythmic approach towards the stumps gaining momentum all the time. A 20 step run up is advisable and around 6 to 7 steps for a spinner. Ideal position to start the run up is shown here . Start on the left foot with weight forward and eyes focused on the target. As you get into the last jump, transform your open chested approach into a side on action.




Its Simple:
The run up of all bowlers vary,but remember one thing the RHYTHM should be the goal. A good rhythmic run-up increases the pace of a fast bowler, and enhances slow bowler’s ability to spin the ball. A well-balanced & good approach to the stumps helps the bowler to gain consistency in line & length for a longer period of time without getting tired. Balance and rhythm are the two important things to concentrate on.

[Style Mantra]

Delivery Stride And Basic Action

A Good action is where you are looking over your front shoulder, head steady and eyes focused on the spot where the ball is to be delivered. Finish with the front arm’s elbow in the ribs and the bowling arm on the front thigh.



Its Simple:
One should not change his natural action. The orthodox side on action is always an advantage, but changing bowler’s natural action either bring vast improvements or just ruin the career. It could also bring in serious injuries due to unnatural body movements. Only Fine-tuning is needed. One tip could possibly complete your bowling action for best results.

[Style Mantra]

Wrist Action

Wrist behind the ball at all times, as so strongly recommended by Kapil Dev in his tips. Impart as much backspin as possible to keep the seam steady after the release of the ball. This will assist the ball to move around. Note in Pic. How the ball is held, neither too deep nor too loose in the palm.





Its Simple:
Since it is the most important and integral part of bowling, therefore the wrist should be as steady as possible. The legendary fast bowler Imran Khan once said that it was a gift to a bowler from God. Many great bowlers have achieved brilliance just because of strong and stable wrist actions. Keeping the wrist strong on the ball is equally important for a spinner as well. Remember a tired wrist delivers tired delivery.

[Style Mantra]

Follow Through

It is a natural result of a good bowling action. As advised earlier complete your bowling action means do not restrict your follow through. Let yourself go with the natural momentum. Keeping your eyes on the ball at all times.



Its Simple:
Bowlers tend to ignore the importance of this aspect in bowling. Good follow through ensures injury free career for a bowler, it absorbs all your effort and energy put into the delivery. It enhances the speed of the fast bowler and spin bowler can derive some extra spin and bounce off the wicket. Your bowling action is not finished until your follow through is complete. If you bear this in mind the follow through will sort itself out.

[Style Mantra]

Out Swinger

(A delivery that moves from leg to off in the air). Hold the ball with vertical seam pointing towards third man. Late out swing is more dangerous. Side on action and the front foot toe pointing towards square leg to yield better results. To guide the direction of the ball use of fine front arm is recommended. The bowling arm should finish on the left thigh.



Its Simple:
Just make sure two fingers (index and middle) remain along the seam till the end. The fingers should follow the seam till the last minute.

[Style Mantra]

In Swinger

(A delivery moves in the air from the offside to leg side). Hold the ball with the vertical seam pointing towards fine leg. The action could get slightly open chested and the front foot toe pointing towards 1st slip



Its Simple:
Accuracy is the most important aspect for the inswinger, otherwise results into "easy meat" for the batsman. Mixing up with the outswinger, this delivery could become very effective to get L.B.Ws. Only bear one thing in mind finish that bowling arm on the back leg.