Wednesday, 11 January 2012

BATTING : Alternative Technique to Combat Swing Bowling

It’s a muggy overcast day and the opening bowler is moving the new ball all over the place; you’re playing the ball as late as you can but are still struggling.
There’s only one thing left to do, and that is charge him!
It's not as crazy as it sounds, read on.
Swing bowling is the downfall of many prolific batsman; and late swing is the most destructive weapon in a bowlers armoury.
Playing in an orthodox way you have no way to counteract the evils of the ball moving late and nicking off. Until you consider moving down the track.
I stumbled upon this technique when watching one of our senior players open the batting in conditions favourable to swing. The theory was that the pace was not an issue, but the lateness of the swing was what was causing him the most problems.
We have already noted that the hardest swing to play is when the delivery begins straight and then moves late; lulling the batsman into playing a false shot. So surely the best way to play late swing is to attempt to eradicate it completely?
He would advance 2 or 3 paces down the wicket and play the ball before the swing had chance to take effect.
This would allow him to play the ball with more confidence whilst allowing him the protection of distance from his stumps with regards to LBW.
Secondly, it also gave the impression to the fielding side that he was being very positive in his mind set and looking to take the attack to the bowler; all from simply trying to eradicate the late swing.
What do you think?
Is this madness or common sense? Leave a comment and let us know.

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