Basic Techniques

• The grip on the bat should be such that they work together with flexibility to either play powerful strokes like drives, pulls and cuts or to play delicate shots like the glance, late cut etc.

• The hands should be close together towards the top of the bat handle. The 'V' formed by the thumb and index finger of the top hand must be in line with 'V' of the bottom hand and this should be in a line between the edge of the bat and the splice.

• This assists in playing on both sides of the wicket as well as of the back or front foot.

• A slight shift in the position of either hand is acceptable, so long as the batsman is comfortable and it does not hinder his shots.

• The most important aspect of a stance is that it must be easy and relaxed.

• The feet must be parallel to the crease with the right foot inside the crease and the left foot outside. The legs must be spread apart comfortably, about shoulder's width.

• The front foot may be opened out slightly but care must be taken to ensure that the body is always in the side-on position to the bowler with the weight equally distributed between the feet.

• The knee should be slightly bent and the batsman's weight must be on the balls of the feet.

• The toe of the bat rests behind the last toe of the back foot and the left glove rests lightly on the thigh of the front foot.

• The left shoulder points down the pitch and the head is turned fully to face the bowler with the eyes level. Too upright or too crouched a stance should be avoided.

• The stance should be such that the batsman is ready to move quickly either on to the front or back foot and be able to transfer his weight from one leg to other comfortably.

• Here too, individual variations are allowed so long as the body position remains mostly sideways while playing the ball.

• Taking the stance described above the most natural lift of the bat would be from the direction of the slips.

• Like others things, the back lift also is dependent on the individual styles of batsmen. The most important point to be remembered is that whatever one's way of lifting the bat, at the point of contact the ball must be played with the full face of the bat. This is true for all the strokes in the game.

• To play straight, at the top of the back lift, loop the bat and bring it down over the line of the stumps, close to your pad.

• Some prefer to keep the bat behind the right foot and lift it up straighter and bring it down. Here again, the batsman must adopt what is most comfortable for him.