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As part of Cricketfundas.com's FUNDAS GURUS by M.R.Baig

Hyderabad, 20.2.2005

Hello to all the Cricketfundas.com's readers. This week, I am going to talk about the Basic Fundas of Batting and the changes that have taken place in a modern day cricketers' game. I really hope that this article is very useful for all the budding cricketers and any queries on this topic are going to be answered by me. For queries, please email them to bvswagath@cricketfundas.com 

In the fundamentals of Batting, there are three basic skills in the game (1) Grip, (2) Stance and (3) Pick Up or Back-lift.

GRIP:

Holding any instrument is known as GRIP. There are two ways of grip – (i) ‘V’ shape grip (ii) ‘O’ shape grip or ‘Axe’ grip. ‘V’ shape grip is used by the artists, painters, students, surgeons and Bidri Craftsmen etc. Any professional, who has to perform a delicate and artistic work, grip the instrument in a ‘V’ shape grip. ‘O’ shape grip is used for strength and hardwork, like using hammer and axe etc.

'V' Shape Grip                                                'O' Shape Grip

Click the Photos to see the Enlarged Version

Batting is an art, so the batsman has to grip the bat in a ‘V’ shape for straight and vertical bat game. ‘O’ shape is used for horizontal strokes.

CORRECT GRIP:

Correct Grip (Front-on)                      Correct Grip (Side-on)

Click the Photos to see the Enlarged Version

• The first finger and the thumb form a ‘V’ shape grip.
• ‘V’ shape is used for straight and vertical bat strokes.
• Top hand holds the bat at the top of the handle, facing back of the palm between the Mid-off to Covers position.
• Most of the Australians face their top hand towards the Point direction.
• Both the hands should be together, in a ‘V’ shape form.
• Lower hand, back of the palm, should face the stumps or the wicket keeper.
• Do not hold the bat at the shoulder of the blade.
• Nowadays handle length is 11.5 inches, which is ‘long handle’. An average height batsman should use a 10 inches length handle, which is medium sized.
• Do not leave the handle on top and hold the bat in the middle, which injures the wrist or hampers the drives.

INDIVIDUAL GRIPS SEEN THESE DAYS:

• Top hand, back of the palm facing Wicket Keeper. See Picture
• Both the hands are separate. See Picture
• Lower hands, back of the palm, facing the bowler or side of the handle. See Picture 1 I See Picture 2
• Gripping the bat with a ‘O’ shape form. See Picture
• For a Long handle of 11.5 inches, batsmen grip the bat on top of the handle, and cannot control the bat balance, so the batsman grip the bat in the middle or near the shoulder of the blade. See Picture

Follow the above instructions with utmost care, dedication, determination and interest. Most of the International and First Class deteriorated their performance due to these final basic fundamental batting faults. For Technical experts, there are no bad patches or bad luck. It is very essential to follow the minute details of the basic skills. Train and practice your game with correct knowledge. 

PICK-UP or BACK-LIFT:

Correct Back Lift (Front-on)            Correct Back Lift (Side-on)

Click the Photos to see the Enlarged Version

• Pick/lift the bat when the bowler is in action. Do not lift the bat when the ball leaves the bowler’s hand or after the pitch. It is too late to judge the ball.
• Lift the bat with top hand, not with the bottom hand. See Picture
• Lift the bat with elbow bend, not cocking of wrists.
• Do not take the elbow away from the body.
• Do not move your head up and down.
• Do not lift the bat towards the Gully or Fine-leg. Lift your bat towards first-slip. See Picture 1 I See Picture 2 I See Picture 3
• Lift the bat, facing the blade towards the Point position.
• Tapping is a habit. Do not tap the bat too hard.

STANCE:

Correct Stance (Front-on)                       Correct Stance

Click the Photos to see the Enlarged Version

CORRECT STANCE:

• Equal distribution of weight on both legs.
• Weight should not be on the heels or toes.
• Toes must touch the guard-line.
• Both the legs should be shoulder length wider, parallel to each other.
• Knees should be slightly bent.
• Do not bend your back too much.
• Front shoulder should face the return crease of Mid-on, not towards the bowler. It stops the on-side vision.
• Head and eyes should be erect, not tilting one side.
• Elbow should be relaxed, not stiff.
• Head should be straight and not tilting.
• Body should not move up and down in stance.
• Top hand should be resting on the front thigh.
• Keep the bat just near the back leg (near the toes).

INDIVIDUAL STANCES SEEN NOWADAYS:

• Do not stand on the guard-line. See Picture
• Legs should not be too far or too close.
• Do not stand open-chested. See Picture
• Do not keep the shoulder or elbow too much on the off-side, it hampers the on-side vision.
• Front toes should not face covers.
• Weight should not be on the back leg.
• Weight should not be on the front leg.
• Do not keep the weight on the bat.
• Do not keep the bat in front of the back leg or front of the toes or too far away from the back leg or back of the front leg. See Picture 1 I See Picture 2

Learn and practice the above instructions with dedication and determination. Practice makes you perfect for better achievements.   

This was all about the basic fundamentals of Batting. Next week, I would be stressing on the Fundas of Fielding. There are three aspects in fielding – (a) Catching – Close in catching and outfield catching (b) Pick Ups – sideways pick ups, chasing pick ups, diving, sliding (c) Throws – close in throws & throws from the outfield. So keep following Cricketfundas.com for all the FUNDAS OF THE GAME.

For queries, please email them to bvswagath@cricketfundas.com 

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