Defensive strokes:

• The forward defence is played when the ball is bowled at a good length, which is not over-pitched enough for a drive and not short enough to go on to the back foot.

• The front foot should move as close as possible to the pitch of the ball with the left shoulder and left elbow leading the body in the direction of the ball.

• The weight of the body is on the front foot with the knee bent and the head should be over the bat watching the point of contact. The bat is kept angled and very close to the front pad to prevent the ball going through bat and pad.

• The top hand is firm at the top of the handle while the bottom hand is relaxed, with the thumb and index finger loosely holding the bat. The back leg should be fully extended with the heel raised off the ground but remaining parallel to the crease.

• The weight of the back foot should be on the inside of the right toe and care should be taken not to turn it or drag it out of the crease.

• The forward defensive stroke can be played with the bat slightly behind or in front of the pad depending on the nature of the wicket and the proficiency of the bowler.

• The backward defensive stroke is played to a short-pitched ball in line with the stumps, which is not short enough to play an attacking shot.

• The back foot is moved back and across to the line of the ball with the front foot naturally following it. The bat is brought down close to the body with the head steady and over the ball.

• The back foot must remain parallel to the crease as far as possible to maintain the sideways position of the body with the top hand firm and in control, and the bottom hand holding the bat loosely.

• To keep the bat straight, the left elbow is held high next to the head. Care should be taken to maintain the balance at the time of playing the ball and to remain `side-on' as this presents a smaller target for short rising deliveries.

• The back foot defence can also be played with the body beside the line of the ball, but here the batsman must resist the temptation to follow the movement of the ball away from him.