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How a batsman sets up, and especially his position at ball release, is crucial. So many batting issues arise from a set-up that hinders effective movement and a consistent bat path to the ball. The shots themselves are not difficult to play, but they are if players are unable to move quickly into the appropriate, balanced position to play them. It is important that coaches acknowledge and accept individual differences between players. No two players play the same way, and neither should they. Individuality and flair are what makes sport compelling viewing. Consider Virat Kohli's poetic cover drive, Viv Richard's trademark flick over square leg or Robin Smith's blistering square cuts.
Dig a little deeper beneath the glossy exterior of these fine players and other world-class batsmen, and what do we find?
Whether it is Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Ben Stokes or Marnus Labuschagne, each has his individual 'go to' shots and favours scoring in slightly different parts of the field.
They also meet five key fundamentals, which form the basis and technical foundation of their batting:
1.The head is close to off-stump / middle and off-stump at ball release.
2.The hands and bat are kept close to the body at ball release, and the top hand dominates the backswing and bat path.
3.The head and body align towards the bowler's stumps at ball release (RH bat v RH bowler), and the body is in a dynamic position (knees slightly bent) to enable quick movement forward or back.
4.The batsman tracks the ball in early flight and moves to the finishing line.
5.Contact with the ball is made close to the body (near the head) and from a stable base.
Flashy alloys and glistening paint are only added to a Ferrari once a strong chassis is in place. Batting is no different. Flair and funk are only added when a solid technical foundation and the key fundamentals are in place.
Some batsmen prefer to stand still at release, while others will get there following a 'trigger' or pre-delivery movement, which gets their feet and body ready to spring into action. Whatever movement comes before the position at ball release is very much a personal choice.
It is crucial, though, that the position at ball release enables quick movement forward and back and easy access to all lines of delivery. The current trend with the world's best batsmen (RH bat v RH bowl or LH bat v LH bowl) is to position their head close to off-stump at ball release. This helps them to judge more easily whether to play or leave deliveries pitching in and around the off-stump channel.
Against real pace, anything outside the eye line can be left, and the feet and body are already in position for those directed straighter. With the head and back foot already close to the off-stump channel - the 'business area,' where most top bowlers bowl - crucial time is saved from moving across the crease to get into line against deliveries travelling at speeds of up to 95 mph at the top end of the game.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were highly successful using this method against the pace of Jofra Archer in the 2019 Ashes Series. Between them, they amassed 1127 runs, which included 3 hundreds and 7 fifties. Smith struck 774 runs at an average of 110.57 and Labuschagne 353 at an average of 50.
Pakistan's Babar Azam currently averages 42.5 in Test matches and 56 in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Until recently he was rated number one Twenty20 (T20) player in the world. Ben Stokes, another who positions his head at off-stump at ball release, averages 37 in Tests and 40 in ODIs.
The top players make subtle adjustments to this positioning based on the conditions they play in and the bowlers they face. They bring their guard back a little so that their head finishes closer to middle stump at ball release when coping with excess and late lateral movement - especially in conditions like those often witnessed early season in the county championship in England, where quality bowling on damp, green pitches and a proud-seamed Dukes ball make batsmen battle hard for every run.
Many of the world's best batsmen - such as Babar Azam, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, AB de Villiers, Marnus Labuschagne and Darren Stevens - have their heads close to off-stump at ball release and align their bodies to the bowler's stumps so that they can judge off-stump easily and access all lines of delivery. They 'open' their front foot slightly and focus on their head staying forward and not drifting outside off-stump when the ball is released. This helps them to play straight to any deliveries that swing, seam or angle back at the stumps.
Babar Azam - ranked number-one batsman in the world in ODIs, third in T20 and tenth in Test Cricket - has a wonderful position at ball release:
His head is close to off-stump.
His hands are close to his body and under his head.
His head and shoulders face the bowler's stumps.
His feet are slightly open to help access all lines of delivery.
Ranked third highest in the world, Marnus Labuschagne, is another top-class batsman who keeps his head close to off-stump at ball release. He is seen in the photo during his innings of 77 for Glamorgan against Northamptonshire in Cardiff. His head is still, hands are under his head, and he creates an imaginary straight line from his head through his hands to his feet for wonderful balance and easier control of the bat.
Harry Brook is another world-class batsman who keeps his head close to off-stump - the 'business area' - at ball release.
His back foot is on off-stump to limit unnecessary movement at release, enabling him to have his head near off-stump.
He dips his head and front shoulder forward to create the backswing and keeps the toe of the bat high for a fluent swing and to get on top of the bounce.
He keeps his hands under his head and creates a straight line - from his head through his hands to his feet - for excellent balance and to help him transfer his weight quickly and easily.
Glamorgan batsman Tom Cullen working hard to get his head, hands and feet to line up to improve his balance and ease of movement.
Most international batsmen have some form of movement prior to ball release to fire up the muscles and get the feet ready to access all lines and differing lengths of delivery. Tennis players adopt a similar movement - a shuffling of their feet and bodyweight when looking to return fast serves.
The timing of a trigger is important. If it is late - just at, or after, ball release - the player is often rushed to get into position. Balance and stability are not created at contact, so control and power are lost in the shot. If a trigger is too early - well before ball release - the benefit of it 'firing up the system' to move is lost.
Ideally, any movement should be made just as the pace bowler bounds (jumps) and takes the ball up in his gather.
There are many different types of triggers. Some players feel comfortable with a forward press, while others take their back foot towards off-stump, and many like to move both feet, either forward or back.
Whatever movement a batsman adopts, it needs to be comfortable, consistent and effective. If the movement does not create a balanced position for good judgment at ball release and enable quick and easy movement forward and back to all lines of delivery, then it is not an effective trigger. It is a batting hindrance, not a help.
I appreciate and welcome a player's personal preferences with his movements, but I have found the most successful players tend to make smaller movements (reducing the chance of errors), move earlier rather than later (to avoid being rushed), maintain a steady head position at ball release and are well aligned to move up and down the wicket and access all lines of delivery easily.
Common problems that occur when performing the trigger:
Moving too early and losing the benefit.
Moving too late and rushing the stroke, resulting in a lack of balance or control.
Not aligning well at ball release - hips, feet and shoulders not facing towards bowler's stumps.
Putting weight on the back leg at release, thereby...
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