The various drives that can be played off the front-foot are:
a) Off drive:
Played to a ball pitched just around the off stump. The bat should come down in a straight line in the direction of mid-off, to make sure that the ball is propelled toward that direction.
b) Cover drive:
Played to a ball pitched slightly wider outside the off stump. The bat should come down in the direction of extra cover, so as to hit the ball in that area.
c) Square drive:
Played to a ball pitched wider outside the off stump, in the direction square of the wickets.
d) On drive:
One of the most difficult drives to play, which is being eradicated from the modern game gradually, as not many exponents of it are left. Played between mid-on and mid-wicket.
e) Straight drive:
The most eye-catching of all drives, played straight down the ground.
The batsman may choose which drive to play on a particular good length ball, but emphasis definitely lies on getting to the pitch of the ball.
Sweep Shot:
It is the more risky of shots, but also the most yielding against spinners. It needs to be played with the spin, otherwise could lead to the batsman's downfall, as a result of a top edge. The traditional sweep shot is played to a delivery on or around the leg stump, in the direction behind square on the leg side.
The front-foot should stretch outside the line of the ball and bent, while the back-foot is lowered parallel onto the ground. The head and front shoulder should lean forward towards the ball. The bat should come down from a high back swing, and should counter the ball in front of the pads. If not playing in the air, the wrists should be rolled, so as to keep the ball on the ground. The follow through should finish over the leading shoulder.
It is important to judge the length of the ball, to perform a commendable sweep shot. It should be played preferably off good length deliveries, as trying to deal with a short ball with this shot would risk a miscue. It is also vital that the stumps are covered while playing the shot, so that in case one misses the shot, chances of being clean bowled are avoided.
In modern day cricket though, various other sweep shots have come into being, as a result of need for innovation to use in one-day cricket. The paddle sweep is played very fine off a ball wide outside leg stump, while the slog sweep is played by opening oneself up, and thrashing the ball over mid-wicket.
Leg Glance:
The front-foot leg glance is used to hit the ball in the direction of mid-wicket, because the bat will meet the ball head-on; as compared to the back-foot leg glance is used to hit the ball behind square.
The use of wrists and the angle of the bat at the point of impact are of utmost importance. The head should be on top of the line of the ball, and the weight of the body shifted on the front-foot, which should be slightly bent. The bat should be brought down as straight as possible, with the angling coming only at the point of contact in front of the pads, and not before, which could lead to a leading edge.
The shot can be controlled using the bottom hand, as well as the wrists.
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Sunday 27 May 2012
Monday 21 May 2012
Pakistan Cricket at its BEST
Some great moments from the Once GREAT Pakistani Cricket Team.... By a few of the many Pakistani Legends of Cricket.... just as great as the team of today... Pakistan Zindabad
Sunday 13 May 2012
Cricket Practice: Fast bowling
Introduction
Some of the most frequent questions I get asked at CricketSecrets.com are to do with fast bowling. They go something like this: ‘Ian, how do I bowl fast’, ‘tell me how to bowl at 90mph’. But before we get to the technicalities of how to bowl seriously fast, the question which every budding fast bowler should consider is; ‘can anybody bowl fast (85-95+ mph)?’
As you may expect, such a question does not promote a clear or easy answer. Only a handful of the game’s top players have succeeded in breaching the illusive 90mph barrier; so clearly it represents a considerable and admirable achievement. Yet whether this limited, elite group can be broadened to include you or any other aspiring fast bowler remains to be seen.
The following article looks at some of the principal arguments of both sides of the debate. We start with the pro-fast bowling notion (that anyone can bowl fast), and then look at the contrarian argument (only an elite few can bowl fast), before drawing some conclusions.
Brett Lee demonstrates the huge forces involved in fast bowling (1)
“Yes, with the correct resources and attitude to training any cricketer can become a fast bowler.”
As with all aspects of the cricket, technique can be learned and improved to optimise a player’s natural ability. If this is done to the greatest possible extent, then potentially bowling speeds of 85 to 90mph+ should not be attainable only for a select few?
Cricket Fielding Training Tips and Techniques
The Throwing Grip
Hold the ball across the seam, as this helps generate more back spin on the ball as it travels through the air so that it carries further.
The Throw
- Take a big stride and establish a strong side-on throwing base, with your lead foot pointing at your target and the back foot at 90 degrees to it. Stay relaxed with your knees bent.
- Bring your throwing arm back, point with your front arm at or slightly above your target.
Monday 7 May 2012
BATTING
Now that we have learnt the correct batting and bowling techniques, it's time to get out into the field and learn how to stop those balls from running wild. Ryan Maron teaches us the correct fielding rules and techniques.
Friday 4 May 2012
Is your child at the right cricket club?
As parents we always want what is best for our kids. So why should this be any different when it comes to choosing a cricket club?
It shouldn’t, and to maximise the potential of our young cricketers it is important to let them flourish in the right environment.
Cricket Batting Tips
Cricket Batting Tip No.1 - Specific Training
I have found found that cricketers like to practice the same way everyone else practices.I believe you should look at your cricket game and work out your own individual strengths and weaknesses and then find a way to improve your weak points.
There are tried and tested methods that work, but if you can come up with a unique, specific training method which improves your game ( especially under pressure) then you must stick with it.
Cricket Batting Tip No. 2 - Training Under Pressure
You must practice your batting as if you are playing in a game.
This can be done in different ways, set up the game specific scenarios in practice
I have found found that cricketers like to practice the same way everyone else practices.I believe you should look at your cricket game and work out your own individual strengths and weaknesses and then find a way to improve your weak points.
There are tried and tested methods that work, but if you can come up with a unique, specific training method which improves your game ( especially under pressure) then you must stick with it.
Cricket Batting Tip No. 2 - Training Under Pressure
You must practice your batting as if you are playing in a game.
This can be done in different ways, set up the game specific scenarios in practice
Thursday 3 May 2012
Fast Bowling Tips
Efficiency
Your body is as efficient as you make it. If you are stressed out by work/school and sit on the sofa in the evenings eating crisps you end up tired, overweight and hunched over. If you train regularly, activate your cricket playing muscles and feel relaxed about things you become an efficient athlete.
Your body is as efficient as you make it. If you are stressed out by work/school and sit on the sofa in the evenings eating crisps you end up tired, overweight and hunched over. If you train regularly, activate your cricket playing muscles and feel relaxed about things you become an efficient athlete.
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