Batting:

A good grip of the bat is essential. The hands control the swing of the bat and deliver the final hit. Take the bat in the right hand with the hand behind the handle the bat making sure the face of the bat is square on. Back view right hand grip. The hand behind the handle of the bat, thumb and fingers giving a firm grip. The left hand placed on the handle of the bat, palm of the hand against the handle, thumb and fingers gripping. The back of the hand towards the mid off position. The face of the right towards the bowler. The two hands together show about an inch of the top of the handle above the left hand and the right hand close up to the left hand. The little finger of the bottom hand close up to the top hand.

Stand with the feet about six inches apart with the balance of the body on both feet. Stand astride the crease with the back foot just behind and parallel to the line of the batting crease. The hands are forward, angling the bat with the left hand close up to the left leg. The toe of the bat is by the toe of the back foot and just behind it. Close up of the position of the hands. The left hand is against the left leg, the right arm slightly bent. A comfortable and relaxed position at the crease. The head is steady, eyes looking for the ball from the bowler's hand. The left arm slightly bent.

The bat commences the pickup both hands taking the bat back towards the stumps, both wrists cocking and arms beginning to bend. The head and shoulders do not move. The balance of the body is retained. The left arm is only slightly bent. The bent right arm begins to go past the right side of the body. The right hand is now slightly open. The cocking of the wrist movement is beginning to turn the blade of the bat from the square on position. Both legs slightly bent to hold the balance. The bat has gone up to the normal pick up position, left arm still slightly bent.

Both wrists cocked, the right arm sliding past the right hand side of the body. The head is steady. The eye line is past the left shoulder looking for the ball in the air from the bowler's hand. The high pick up for the attacking shot when a full swing of the bat is necessary. The hands have continued to take the bat up. Both wrists are cocked. Both arms are bent, right arm sliding past the right side. The face of the bat square on to the off side. Head steady, eyes looking for the ball in the bowler's hand.

The forward defensive shot is played to the ball just short of the half volley, which is pitched in line with the stumps, or ball pitching off the line of the stumps and deviating towards them. For any front foot shot, the foot goes forward to the ball pitching in line with the stumps. The left foot goes forward and alongside the line of the on coming ball. Come up on the toes of the right foot, let the body balance go forward on to the front leg. Both legs are slightly bent. The head does not move. The eyes follow the ball in its flight down the pitch for as long as possible.

From the normal pick up, the eyes watch the ball coming down. Both wrists and arms are bent. The left foot has gone forward simultaneously; the bat starts its down swing towards the ball. The left shoulder faces the line of the ball. Both wrists are fully cocked, the right hand opening slightly but gripped firmly with fingers and thumb. Up on the toes of the back foot, which assists the weight to go forward on to the left leg. The bat is half way in the down swing towards the ball. The face of the bat has come square on to meet the ball. Both arms are slightly bent. The head steady.

Eyes look over the hands towards the pitch of the ball. The ball is played. The left hand has gone well in front of the right. The trunk learning forward and over the front leg. The right hand is behind the handle and relaxed. The left leg is slightly bent. The eyes follow the ball, past the hands. Back view of the same position. The right hand is relaxed. A firm grip with the left hand. The angling of the bat is plainly seen. Now the view from the front. The body weight goes well forward over the left leg. The left hand in front of the right. Right hand behind the handle of the bat. The finish of the shot. The ball is pushed away with the bat in the upright position.

The left hand is still in front position. The left hand is still in front of the right hand. The head is steady, the eyes watching the ball past the hands. The ball goes off the bat, which is following through after it has played the ball. The follow through will be short, a matter of inches, the bat staying upright. The eyes follow the ball off the bat.

When the ball pitches short of a length and is on the wicket, the batsman must walk backwards to give himself more time and room to play the shot. By walking backwards, say a couple of feet, he makes the ball relatively that much shorter. The aim of the defensive shot is to keep the ball out by bringing the face of the bat square on to play the ball. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. The right foot goes back towards the middle stump, the right let is braced to take the weight. The left side is towards the ball. Up on the toes of the front foot which is about to come back towards the right foot.

The left foot comes back towards the braced right let, and simultaneously the bat begins it down swing. The left shoulder is still sideways on. The eyes watch the ball coming down the pitch. The wrists are still cocked and the arms bent. The face of the bat is to the off side. The completed shot. Weight on the braced right let. The right arm slides past the right side. The right hand relaxed behind the handle of the bat. Up on the toes of the front foot. The left shoulder and left elbow high. The left hand in front of the right, angling the bat to play the ball down. The ball is played as close to the body and as late in its flight as possible.

The head is steady, the eyes follow the ball for as long as they can towards the face of the bat. Don't look down at the back of the bat when playing the ball, otherwise the right shoulder will drop and the flight of the ball towards the bat will be lost. Don't go back with both feet pointing up the wicket, if the bat is not to come down across the line of the ball resulting in either an edged shot to the slips or a complete miss. Don't play back and take the hands away from the body in an attempt to play the ball, otherwise a gap is left between bat and pads through which the ball can pass to hit the stumps.

The shot is played to the ball pitching short of a length in the line of the stumps and swing away towards the off side. The first move must be made with the object of getting the face of the bat behind the line of the stumps. The right foot goes back towards the off stump. The shoulders sideways on. The weight is on the back leg. The bat goes up to the higher pick up position, travelling up to a line over middle and leg stumps. The eye line goes past the left shoulder, following the on coming ball. Same as No. 1 from the back view. The head is steady. The eyes are past left shoulder. Both arms are bent. The right arm slides past the right side. Both wrists are cocked.

The bat goes over a line of the middle and leg stumps. Right leg is braced. The ball is about to be played. The left foot has travelled back to the right foot simultaneously with the commencement of the down swing of the bat. The left foot points towards extra cover position, opening the stance. The hips open slightly, but the left shoulder stays sideways on. The right arm well in to the right side, both wrists uncocking. The left elbow is bent. Balance of the body on the right leg. Eyes watch the ball coming up off the pitch past the left elbow. The ball is played. Hips and shoulders open as the hands take the bat out to meet the ball with the face of the bat, which is square on to the out swing line of the ball.

The right arm hugs the right side. The lips have opened more than the shoulders, the forward thrust of the right arm close to the body opens the shoulders, but the left hand leading the bat to keep it angled down stops the shoulders from opening as much as the hips. The balance of the body is retained on the braced right leg. Eyes follow the ball as far as possible off the pitch towards the bat. Finish of the shot. The ball goes off the face of the bat towards the off side. The bat goes out as the ball is pushed away. Eyes follow the ball off the bat. Do not go back with the back foot towards middle and leg stumps. A gap is left between bat an pads, the bat going well away from the body in an effort to reach the ball.

The bat face has not been brought down behind the line of the ball and the ball hits the outside edge of the bat. Wrong the bat has been brought down from the line well outside the off stump. The left hand and arm cannot lead the bat towards the ball outside the off stump. The right elbow comes away from the body. The right hand takes control. The ball hits the outside edge of the bat.

The shot is played to the inswinging ball pitching short of a length and swinging in towards the batsman. Adopt the open stance when facing the inswinger, left foot pointing in the direction of extra cover. The open stance. The left foot points to extra cover, while the hips and shoulders open up. The right foot has gone back towards the middle and off stump and the left is taken back as the hands begin to swing the bat down from outside the off stump. The pick up of the bat at the stance position will have gone over the off stump. The hands go out as the trunk begins to turn at the commencement of the down swing of the bat. Back view, same stage. The wrists are cocked as the bat begins the down swing. The right arm is behind the right side in the bent position. The right leg is braced. The ball pitches. The eyes watch the ball over the left arm. The weight is well over the braced right leg.

The hands bring the bat down, the left hand leading. The left elbow is still fully bent. The face of the bat about to come square on to the ball. The bat held high with bent arms at this stage, in readiness to play the ball bouncing up off the pitch. The ball is played. The weight of the body on the right leg. Up off the heel of the left foot. The bat held high with left elbow bent. The left hand in front of the right angles the bat to keep the ball down. The face of the bat has turned towards the on side to meet the ball just in front of the right leg. The right hand is relaxed. The trunk and shoulders run. The eyes watch the ball for as far as possible, looking past the hands.

This is played to the ball which is moving in towards the batsman, turning towards the stumps, to which a shot must be played. First move. The right foot goes back in the line of the off-stump. The foot is placed in this position to begin the covering up of the stumps with the legs. The ball has pitched and is turning in towards the stumps. The left leg has come back towards the batsmsman simultaneously with the commencement of the down swing of the bat. The weight is on the braced right leg. The weight of the bat is coming towards the square on position. The shoulders are slightly open. The bat is coming down form the line of the off stump to meet the ball as it turns across the legs. Both wrists are still cocked.

Both arms are bent. The left hand leads the bat's swing. The ball is about to be played. The left hand leading the bat and angling it. The face of the bat is now square on towards the ball. The right wrist is cocked. The left arm is bent, keeping both hands high ready to play down on the bouncing, turning ball. The right hand is behind the handled of the bat. The wrists are still cocked. The right elbow hugs the right side. The weight is one the right leg. The eyes watch the ball turning off the pitch and look over the hands. The ball is played. Up on the toes of the left foot, lifting the left side of the body. The bent left arm with a firm left hand grip goes high, keeping the bat angled.

The bat handle is in front of the toe of the bat. The ball is played down. The right arm still well into the right side. The right hand is relaxed, but a firm grip maintained with the thumb and fingers. The right hand at this stage I open, the top hand doing the major part in playing the ball down. The ball is allowed to come up to the batsman and is played at a point opposite the left leg.

Played to the ball pitching short of the half volley in line with the stumps and turning towards the off side. The ball has pitched on the leg stump; the right foot goes back square and points towards the off side and the middle and off stumps. The weight of the body is one the right leg, which is braced. Up on the toes of the left foot. The wrists are fully cocked. The eyes watch the ball turning off the pitch. The bat commences the down swing simultaneously with the left leg coming back towards the right leg. The left foot points towards cover point the hips being to open up. The ball is about to be played at a point opposite the left leg. The hips open up.

The right arm hugs the right side with the right hand behind the bat, and the left hand takes the bat out towards the ball on the off side. The ball is played. Up on the toes of the left foot to bring the left shoulder high and left arm and elbow well up. The left hand in front of the right at the moment of playing the ball, angling the bat to keep the ball down. The right arm comes past the right side. The relaxed right hand is behind the handle of the bat. The weight of the body is one the braced right leg. The eye line is over the hands as the eyes watch the ball turn off the pitch and on to the bat.

The shot is played to the leg spinner pitching just short of the half volley which is not drivable on the half valley. The front foot goes out alongside the line of the ball and as close to the half volley as possible. The left foot comes out towards the ball simultaneously with the down swing of the bat. The weight is coming forward and over the left leg. The trunk is sideways on. The bat is coming from the line of the middle and leg stump, the turn of the shoulders going with the left foot across to the off-side line. The wrists are cocked. The right arm well into the side. The bent left arm leads the bat. The bat fare begins to turn square on towards the ball.

The bat face begins to turn square on towards the ball. The eye line is towards the ball about to pitch. The ball is about to be played. The weight has gone well over the bent front leg. Up on the toes of the back foot, assisting the weight forward. Right leg is slightly bent. The bat coming down from the line of the middle and leg stump. The shoulder points towards the line of the ball assisting the left (forward) hand to lead the bat towards the ball. The eye line is over the left elbow at this stage. The ball is played. The weight well over the bent front leg. The ball has been watched as far as possible towards the bat.

The left arm is unhinging. The left hand in front of the right hand angles the bat backwards to keep the ball down. Right hand relaxed behind the handle of the bat. Up on the toes of the back foot, assisting the weight forward. The finish of the shot. The bat face goes square on towards the off side with away spin of the ball. The left hand still leads the right hand with the elbow still bent behind the handle of the bat. The left arm has unhinged. The eyes watch the ball go off the face of the bat.

The eyes watch the ball coming down the pitch. The weight goes forward. The front foot goes out. The bat commences the down swing. The front foot goes alongside the line of the ball and as close to the pitch of the ball as possible. From the back, same stage. The hands go away from the body. The bat face is coming round to the square on position. The right wrist is clocked. The right elbow into the right side. Upon the toes of the back foot. The bat face swings down past the right side. The left hand leads, angling the bat with the handle forward of the toe of the bat.

The right hand, wrist unlocking, stays behind the handle. Both arms are bent. The eyes watch the ball pitching over the left hand. The bat turns to play the ball towards the on side and is square on to meet the ball. The weight well forward over the left leg, assisting the left arm, left hand still well forward of the right hand, angling the bat to meet the ball. The finish of the shot. The ball is played away towards the on side. The left hand is still well in front of the right and the weight over the left leg. The eyes watch the ball over the left hand.

Play this shot to the ball pitching just short of a length and coming about knee-high on or just outside the off stump. First take the bat up high with a full cocking of the wrists, and the right foot back as far as possible towards the middle stump. The right foot square, pointing to the off side, to keep the left side towards the ball. From the back, same state. Note the full cocking of the wrists with the right arm sliding past the right side. The bat commences the down swing at the ball. The left foot comes back towards the right foot, and points towards cover, opening up the hips. The left shoulder still points towards the ball line, the blade coming down from the line of the leg stump. The hit is about to be made.

The weight on the back foot. The wrists unlocks as they accelerate the swing of the bat at the ball. The right arm still hugs the right side. The right hand behind the handle, keeps the face of the bat towards the ball, and is about to put the hit into the shot. Same stage from the front. The ball is coming up off the pitch. The bat can be seen to have come down from the line of the leg stump. The left arm is still bent. The left arm is still bent. The eyes watch the ball in its bounce off the pitch. The left shoulder still points towards the ball. The hit is made. Weight well on the back foot, coming up on the toes of the front foot assist the hands at waist height, as they punch the ball away.

The left hand is firm, controlling the swing towards the direction of the shot. The right hand administers the hit. The eyes watch the ball over the hand but, of course, do not see the ball hit the bat. Completion of the shot. The power put into the shot with the right hand has caused the hit to be made against the right side. The trunk opens up as the right hand goes through in a full swing in the direction of the shot. The eyes watch the ball on its way.

To get the face of the bat to the ball, the batsman must turn the shoulders with the forehead towards the line of the ball. Up on the toes of the right foot and show the wicket-keeper the sole of the foot pivoting to turn the body. The left foot goes out towards the line of the ball. The right wrist fully cocked. The face of the bat square to the ground. The weight well over the left leg. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. The weight remains well over the left leg. The left arm bent, the left hand leading the swing of the bat. The ball is played away. The eyes watch the ball over the left hand. The left hand still leads the bat. The right hand behind the handle. The weight well over the left leg.

The bat goes up to the high pickup and the shoulders remain side-ways on to the bowler. The left foot goes out towards the line of the on-coming ball, the bat having started the down swings simultaneously. The left knee bends, taking the weight of the body, both arms bent. The right wrist fully cocked. The face of the bat has come round square on to the ground. The ball is about to pitch. The left leg has gone towards the line o the ball. The left shoulder is still pointing towards the line o the ball. The left hand leads the bat, angling it backward. The weight of the body comes over the left leg. The face of the bat is towards the off side. The eyes watch the ball as it pitches.

The right hand behind the handle of the bat. Well up on the toes of the back foot. The ball is about to be played. The left foot, having gone across the original line of the ball, the bat can be taken to the ball when it deviates from its line well up on the toes of the back foot. The body weight well forward. The eyes follow the ball as far as possible over the left hand. The ball is played away. The face of the bat goes through towards the off side in the upright position. The left hand is in front of the bat, maintaining the bat's upright position as the right hand behind the handle pushes the ball away. The eyes watch the ball goes off the bat. The trunk opens up. The right elbow stays close to the side.

This action can be used against the slower bowler when the flight of the ball is high enough to give sufficient time to go out of the crease and get to the pitch of the ball. It should not be attempted against the ball pitching wide of the stumps, but only to his ball coming down in a line towards the stumps. First move. The bat is raised to the higher position, ready for an attacking shot. The first stride is made up the wicket. The trunk is sideways on. Watch for the ball as it leaves the bowler's hand. The batsman will notice the movement to the hand when imparting spin.

If he fails to do this he might miss the 'googly'. Second stage the weight is on the left leg. The right foot comes up behind the left foot. Third stage. The left foot goes forward. The bat starts swinging at the ball. The trunk is still sideways on. The wrists are fully cocked, accelerating the swing of the bat. The eye watches the ball about to pitch. The finish of the shot. This being a full attacking shot, a full swing of the bat and high follow through should be the aim.

A defensive shot played to the ball pitching short of a half volley as it comes up off the pitch. The weight has gone well forward, balanced on the left leg. Up on the toes of the back foot, pushing the body weight forward. Both arm bent the right arm coming past the right side, the left hand well in front angling the bat to keep the ball down. The right hand is relaxed behind the handle of he bat. The eyes watch the ball bouncing off the pitch. Front view from the bowler's end. The ball has bounced up off the pitch. The left hand leads in taking the bat out to meet the ball, which is played when it is either just opposite the left leg or, a little earlier, in front of the batsman. The trunk opens up at the hips as the right arm comes out past the right side. The left hand having a longer distance to travel than the bottom hand, reaches forward at the ball. The left arm unhinges to an almost straight position. The forehead is towards the ball. The eyes watch the ball goes off the face of the bat. The face of the bat is square on towards the off side when the ball is played.

Play the off drive to the ball pitched well up that is a half that is a half volley, on or outside the off stump. The aim of the shot is to get the face of the bat well behind the ball at the moment of hitting, and keeping it square on in the direction of the shot. Put the left foot up to and alongside the line of the ball. The weight goes forward over the left leg. Go to the high pick up and, simultaneously with the left foot going out, the bat commences the down swing. Point the left shoulder towards the line of the on-coming ball; this will take the bat over the leg stump. The head is steady.

Watch the ball in its flight down the wicket. The bat commences its down swing coming form the lien of the leg stump towards the ball outside the off stump. Keep the wrist cocked. At this stage the left hand has the major part in swinging the bat towards the ball and the left shoulder is still pointed towards the line of the ball. The eye line will be over the left elbow. Keep the wrist cocked and the bat swinging with the left arm. The weight is going forward over the left leg. The left arm is beginning to unhinge. The right elbow brushes the right side with the right hand behind the handle of the bat. The bat face is now square on to the ball.The hit is about to be made.

The left hand still swinging the bat. The right hand grip is firmer at this stage. It is the right hand that will put the power into the shot. The eye line is now over the left hand, following the ball as far as possible towards the bat. Front view of he hit being made. The face of the bat is square on in the direction of the shot, towards the off side. Both hands are working together. The bat has been accelerated with the unlocking of the wrist in its down swing towards the ball. The left arm is almost fully unhinged. The left hand grip is firm. The right hand is behind the handle and still slightly cocked, putting the power into the shot. The ball has been followed as far as possible on to the face of the bat. The bat is slightly angled to keep the ball down.

The left hand is in front of the right hand. The first stage of the follow through. The left arm is fully unhinged, the bat traveling on in the upright position. The complete follow through. Up on the toes of the right foot. The bat has swung out and away; following through in the direction of the shot and he wrists have turned over in a natural movement, following the punch through with the right hand when the hit was made. The shoulders and hips open up as the right hand comes through. The bat finishes over the left shoulder. The front-on position, the same stage. The bat face is coming square on to the ball.

The left arm is unhinging. Right arm straightening as the right hand uncocks to put the power into the shot. The balance of the body well over the front leg. The right heel off the ground. Helping the body balance to go forward. The eyes watch the ball as far as possible on to the bat. The follow through. Well up on the toes of the back foot, the weight going forward over the front leg. The shoulders turn with the follow through of thee power right hand. The head is steady. The eyes watch the ball on its way. The right shoulder dips slightly with the hit and follow through of the right hand.

Played to the ball pitching on the half volley length, on or just outside the leg stump. The left foot goes out alongside the line of the ball and up to the half volley. Simultaneously, the bat is brought down from a line outside the off stump. Head in the upright position, forehead square to the line of the ball. The weight is over the left leg. Both wrists are cocked. Both elbows bent and the left hand leads the swing of the bat. The eyes watch the ball as for as possible to the pitch. The right knee is bent inwards, turning the right hip round. The ball is about to be hit. The bat continues its line from outside the off stump towards the on side ball. The trunk is almost square on towards the ball. The right elbow brushes the right side. The right hand begins to unlocks, ready to put the hit into the shot.

Played to the ball pitching on the half volley length, on or just outside the leg stump. The front foot goes forward simultaneously with the commencement of the down swing of the bat. The eyes watch the ball, as it is about to pitch. The weight is over the front leg. The initial height is almost maintained. The arms go away from the body. The left foot is alongside the lien and short of the pitch of the ball. The ball is about to be hit as it bounces up form the half volley. The weight of the body is swaying back, because the right arm is extending as the right hand goes past the left to put the power into the shot. The right side has turned from the hips when the bat goes past the left foot to meet the ball. The hands speed the swing of the bat.

Close-up of the hands and bat position when the ball is being hit. The right hand firm behind the handle of the bat puts the power into the shot. The bat is angled back to hit the ball upwards. The left arm freely swings on with a firm left hand grip. The body weight goes back on to the right leg. The trunk leans backwards as the right hand goes out with an extended right arm to hit the ball. The finish of the shot. The right arm is extended. The bat blade faces upwards. The head and right shoulder dip. The trunk leans backwards from the hips.

The stroke is played to the short of a length ball when it is going pas the batsman's right leg in the direction of the direction of third man. It should never be played to the in swinger or the off spinner.The right foot has gone back and outside the off stump. Up on the toes of the foot, giving a full pivot with the left shoulder pointing up the wicket. The eyes watch the ball bouncing of the pitch. Back view, same position. The wrists are cocked. The right wrist is flexible. The right hand is above the left. The right elbow has gone back round the right side enabling the hands to bring the bat back over the shoulder. The balance of the body's on the right leg. The hit is about to be made. The weight of the body is over the right leg.

The shoulders have maintained the starting position. The hands are bringing the bat down ready to whip the ball away. Both arms remain bent. The head turns with the flight of the ball, the eyes watching it on to the bat. The same as stage. The right hand is turning the face of the bat over in a shipping action and the left arm continues to swing the bat. The left hand grip is firm but not tense. Full figure, same stage. The head turns watching the ball on to the bat. The right elbow comes away from the right side with the action of the bottom hand. The hit is made. The right hand rolls the face of the bat over to keep the ball down and send it away.

The eyes watch the ball on to the bat. Close up of the wrist action rolling the bat at the hit. The right hand rolls over the left. Immediately after the hit, the right hand goes on turning the face of the bat completely over. The eyes watch the ball on its way. The right hand, still over the left, takes the bat on to complete the follow through. The swing of the bat has started from the right shoulder and continues going down acceleration in its whipping movement across the body. The shoulders turn with the complete follow through. The head remains steady.

Played to the ball pitching short, well outside the off stump. The right foot, back and across the batting crease, points square to the off side. Go up on the toes on the left foot, helping the body pivot, with the left shoulder pointing up the wicket and balance the body on he right leg. The bat goes back ready to swing down on to the ball. The eyes watch the on coming ball past the left shoulder. Back view. Both wrists are cocked. The right hand is flexible. The right elbow is down. The right hand above the left stays there throughout the shot. About to hit the high bouncing ball. The hands and arms have swung the bat down, flattening the arc, accelerating the swing of the ball to the ball. The trunk still faces square on to the off side.

The head turns with the flight of the ball. The hands are in position to whip the ball away. The hit is made. The right hand has turned the face of the bat over to hit the ball down. Both arms have unhinged at the elbow. The head turns. The eyes watch the ball on the bat. The weight of the body rocks back as the arms straighten and power is put into the shot. The trunk has stayed square on to the off side. The right wrist rolls over the left to complete the hit and keep the ball down. Finish of the shot. The right hand, having turned the bat blade over, continues in the follow through over the left shoulder. Both arms bend. The trunk turns with the swing of the follow through.

Played to the short of a length ball pitching outside the off stump, which is not wide enough to permit a full swing of the bat. It should not be played to the deliver coming in towards the stumps, i.e. an off spinner or in swinger. The right foot goes back, on or outside the off stump, depending on the width of the ball. The weight of the body is over the bent right leg. The left arm is unhinging. The right arm is bent. The right wrist is cocked. The eyes follow the ball on to the bat. Finish of the shot. The ball is patted down. The wrists uncock. Both arm unhinge. The right wrist does not roll over. The bat face is square on to the ball, pushing it away.

Played to the ball pitching at half-volley length wide of the off stump, too wide for the orthodox off drive to be attempted. The left foot goes out and up the wicket. The left shoulder points towards the line of the ball. The wrist is still cocked in the down swing of the bat. His right arm hugs his right side of the body. The left hand is well in front of the right hand. The knees are bending to bring the hands down. With the balance of the body on the haunches. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch, around the area in line with the front foot crease.

The hit is made with the left hand well in front of the right hand, angling the bat. The bat blade is square on of the moment of impact. The hit has been made. The eyes follow the ball off the bat. The wrists have not rolled over. The both hands and arms swing on with the left hand still leading. The complete follow through, still sitting down on the haunches, the eyes watch the ball in the direction of the shot; past square point. The hands swing on to a high finish.

An attacking shot played to the ball pitched up form the off stump line towards the leg side, specially good against the off spinner or in swinger and hit on the turn or swing. It can be used against the straight delivery but is not advisable against the leg spinner or away swinger. The left foot goes up the wicket in line with, or just outside, the off stump, depending on the line of the oncoming ball. The left foot points squarish towards cover point because the eventual hit will be against the left side. First take the bat to the high pick up. The bat comes down in line from outside the off stump. The left side is towards the line of the ball. The wrists are fully cocked. Both arms are bent. The hands accelerate the bat in its downswing. Both arms bent right heel coming off the ground weight of the body against the left leg. The height is maintained. The right knee turned inwards. Close up of the hands in stage 4.

The wrists fully cocked, left arm slightly bent. The Right knee turning in. the left side braced ready to take the hit. Close up of the hands in stage 4. The wrists fully cocked, left arm slightly bent. The Right knee turning in. the left side braced ready to take the hit. Close up of the hands and arms in the follow through. The left wrist and forearm straighten. The right hand goes on with the impetus of the shot. The high follow through. The height from the start position has been maintained. The left side is braced. The right knee turns into the left leg, as the right hand brings the right side round with the follow through of the right hand. The head is still steady. The eyes watch the result of the shot.

Played to the ball pitching short of the half volley or outside the leg stump. It can be used against either the off spinner, hitting with the turn towards the on side, or the leg spinner, hitting against the turn. The bat starts the down swing. At the same time, the left foot goes out inside the line of the ball, keeping it on the left-hand side. At this stage the shoulders are sideways on to the on-coming ball. Both knees are bent, allowing the balance to occur over the haunches. The shoulders begin to open slightly. Both wrists are fully cocked. The hands are dropping the bat in order to flatten the arc of the cross swing at the ball. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. Same stage from the back. The right arm bent. The right arm bent. The face of the bat is towards the off side. The arc of the bat has been flattened.

The wrists still bent. The left hand is firm. The left arm controls the swing of the bat. Both arms slightly bent. The hit is about to be made. The sitting-down position is helping the flat arc of the swing of the bat. The left hand leads the swing. The right hand is about to hit the ball. The shoulders and trunk swivel on the hips. The right side comes round as the right wrist uncorks. The eyes watch the ball on to the bat. The hit is made. The right hand punches the ball away. The balance is maintained. The head is steady, the body pivot at the hips. The ball goes off the bat. Both arms now swing on in the follow through. The trunk continues the pivot. The eyes watch the ball off the bat. The complete follow through. The trunk has completed almost a full turn, but the body balance is still constant on the haunches. The left arm bends, allowing the swing of the right hand and arm to finish it impetus. The eyes follow the direction of the shot.

Play the hook shot against the fast bowlers when the ball is pitched very short an coming down in a line towards the middle or leg stump, arriving at chest height or above. The bat goes high with the wrist dropping back and the right foot well across to take the head and upper part of the body away from the line of the oncoming ball. The stroke has commenced. The left foot comes off the ground, helping the pivot of the shoulders sideways on. The right elbow close to the side. The right wrist fully cocked. The left heel comes down. The left leg is braced the bat has commenced its cross bat swing at the ball. The balance is still on the right leg keeping the trunk out of the line of the fire. The hands and arms accelerate the swing of the bat. The hit is about to be made. The left arm is high. The right wrist is cocked.

The right elbow bent. The right hand is about to turn the face of the bat over to meet the ball. The hit is made. The hands are high. The head and shoulders are still out of the line of fire. The right hand puts the power in the shot. The left arm still bent and high. The eyes follow the ball onto the bat. The finish of the shot. The bat has followed through after the hit has been made and the body turns with the follow through of the bat. The left elbow is bent and coming in towards the left side. The head has not yet moved. The complete finish. The bat follows through in a complete arc around the left side. The right elbow has come up as the right hand turned over when it put the power into the shot. The body balance rocks back with the bat's follow through. The head is steady, the eyes watching the result of the shot.

When the leg spinner pitches outside the line of the leg stump and the sweep shot is intended, the left foot must be placed wider up the wicket to prevent the ball going round the legs to hit the stumps. He technique will to the same as for the ordinary sweep shot.

Played to the short of a length ball pitching in line round the off stump. The first move. The right foot goes back well outside the off stump. The bat is taken to the high pick-up position. The left shoulder faces towards the oncoming ball. The right foot points in the direction of extra cover. The balance of the body is on the right leg. Front view. The eyes watch the ball over the left shoulder. The left arm is bent. The hands are accelerating the swing of the bat at the ball. The wrists are still cocked, right arm into the right side; left shoulder still pointing towards the ball, head steady. Close up of the wrist at state 3. They are fully cocked. The face of the bat is towards the off side.

The hit is about to be made. The arms go away from he body. The right wrist is still cocked. The shoulders come square on with the swing of the bat. The right foot points up the wicket with the shoulder movement. The eyes watch the ball over the hands. The hit is made, the right wrist turning the face of the bat over to hit the ball down. The right hand hits the ball. The left arm maintains the swing of the bat. The eyes watch the ball on to the bat. The trunk is square on. Finishing the shot. The right hand having fetched the ball from the off side towards the on side continues swinging on around the body. There is a full pivot as the eyes watch the result of the shot.

The shot is played o the ball pitched further up than the length required for the sweep shot. It would be difficult to hit this length ball with a cross bat. The shot should not be attempted against the ball turning or swinging towards the off side. The left foot goes up the wicket just inside the line of the ball. The hands go out and away form the body, with the wrists still cocked. The eyes follow the ball ass far as possible. Up on the toes of the back foot. The trunk begins to turn from the hips. The hand brings the bat down. The right hand is turning the face of the bat towards the on side. The left arm is almost straight. The right shoulder is dipped so that the right hand can get at the ball.

The balance of the body is over the front leg. Well up on the toes of the back foot. The head is steady. The eyes follow the ball on to the bat. The shot is made. Well up on the toes of the back foot, pushing the weight forward. The right knee turns into the front leg. He chin is down. The head turns with the trunk pivot, watching the ball go off the bat. The right hand goes past the left, to take the bat through the pitch of the ball, which has gone in the direction of backward. The completed shot. The right foot turns. The trunk pivots round in the follow through of the right hand. The body weight still forward, head turning to watch the ball go on its way.

Played to the ball pitching on or just outside the off stump, hitting the ball towards the on side. Not to be played against the ball moving away, i.e. leg spin or away swing. The front foot goes out behind the line of the ball, just outside the off stump. The body balance goes forward towards the line of the ball. The hands start the swing of the bat towards the ball, going out and away from the body. The weight is over the left leg. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. Back view, same position. The right wrist is fully cocked. The hands can be seen away from the body. The left shoulder is still towards the line of the ball. The hand continues to swing the hat out from the body as they accelerate the swing of the bat towards the ball.

The right arm is still bent. The left arm is unhinging. The accelerating the bat continues its swing. The right hand, behind the handle, begins to uncock, ready to hit the ball. The hit is about o be made. The left hand swings the bat across and out to meet the ball. The right hand puts the hit into the shot. With the right hand now playing the major part, the balance of the body begins to rock back. The left arm straightens, the right hand going past the left as the bat blade meets the ball. The complete follow through. The body weight has rocked back. The bat completes its swing in its line from outside the off stump out to the ball and across the front leg. The trunk turns with the swing of the bat from the off side. The eyes watch the ball on its way. The front foot has not moved since going forward towards the ball.

Played to the ball pitching short of a length on or just outside the leg stump. The first move is right foot back towards the middle and off stumps. This foot movement is made to keep the ball on the batsman's left-hand side. The left foot comes back towards the right foot, pointing towards extra cover, opening the trunk and hips. The hands bring the bat down and are high. The left elbow is up. The left hand is in front of the right, angling the bat. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. Just before contact with the ball. The right elbow is bent, right arm into the side, the trunk turning. The ball is about to be played.

The left elbow is high and bent. The right hand is behind the handle blade of the bat, turning towards the ball. Balance of the body on the braced left leg, eyes watching the ball past the hands. The ball meets the bat. The left elbow and shoulders are high to maintain the angling of the bat and to bring it up to the required height of the bounce. The right arm slides past the right side. The right hand is behind the handle. Both hands turn the blade of the bat. The bat blade completes its turn and the ball slides off the bat face towards fine leg.

If the hook short cannot be mastered, take evasive action and duck, but never take the eyes off the ball.

Played to the ball coming down on or just outside the line of the leg stump and pitching either on a length or closer to the batsman. Firstly, he left foot goes out inside the line of the ball, which will arrive on the left-hand side of the batsman. The bat blade comes down from a line just outside the off stump. The forehand faces square on to the line of he ball. Half way toward the ball in the down swing, the bat is kept in its line and the right arm with wrist cocked hugs the right side. The heel of the back foot is coming off the ground and the body is beginning to turn to face the ball. The ball is about to pitch. The weight of the body is on the left leg. The left arm is slightly bent.

The ball is about to be played. The left hand leads, angling the bat to keep the ball down. The right hand is behind the handle, and doing the major part in turning the blade of the bat. The bat blade continues its turn just before meeting the ball. Immediately prior to the ball meeting the bat blade. The hands continue to turn. The head with weight well over the left leg, is forward, following the ball almost on to the bat blade. The ball slides off the face of the turning bat. The follow through. This is a reflex action, the hands going on with the turn of the bat as the trunk tunes when the eyes follow the ball behind the wicket.

The ball is hit behind the half volley and just as it is bouncing off the pitch. There must be a high pick up and complete follow through. The bat goes o the high pick up. The left shoulder points to the line of the oncoming ball. The bat face is still towards the off side. The wrists still fully cocked as the bat starts the down swing towards the ball. The left shoulder is still towards the ball. The right arm slides past the right side, right knee slightly bent. The bit is about to be made. The right hand, well in front of the left, ensures a lofted hit.

Both arms are swinging the bat. The weight is rocking back onto the right leg. The eyes watch the ball as far as possible on to the bat. The complete follow through. The bat has gone a ninety-degree arc from the initial pick up. It is swung with both arms. The hit with the right hand takes the bat through. The shoulder dips when the weight rocks back onto the right leg.

The shot is played to the good length ball, or one jus short of a length, coming down in a line towards the middle and leg stumps. The bat has gone high and he hands are going away from the body. The weight of the body has gone onto the back foot. The eyes watch the ball which is about to pitch. The wrists are fully cocked. From the back, same stage. The wrists are fully cocked. The bend elbow of the right arm has moved away form the body. The right foot had moved across to cover the middle and off stumps.

The hands are accelerating the bat down towards the ball, ready to make the hit towards the on side. The right wrist is still fully cocked. The hit is made. The left arm high elbow bent. The right hand goes past the left hand in the execution of the shot. The eyes watch the ball on to the bat. Finish of the hit. The balance of the body is maintained on the back leg. The trunk turns as the right hand follows though in the direction of the hit. The eyes follow the ball.

This shot is played when the medium pace bowler pitches short and the ball bounces towards the batsman about waist high. The hands have taken the bat high with the wrists cocked. The right foot goes back and across just outside the off stump. Up on the toes of the left foot, pivoting to assist the turn of the body, the left shoulder coming round to point towards the bowler. The eyes watch the ball on to the pitch. The left heel goes down as the trunk unwinds to face the bowler. At the same time the hands, with wrists still cocked, have dropped down to allow the bat to be swung in a flat are at the ball. Just before the hit was made the left foot was taken back in a parallel line with the right foot. This has allowed the right side of the body to come into the shot, as the hands swing the cross bat at the ball. The right hand rolls over the left hand, turning the bat face over as it strikes the ball, sending it down and away. The eyes follow the ball off the bat.

Played to the ball, which is beyond the half volley length and pitching very close to the feet and in line with the stumps. The hands go out and away form the body as soon as the shot is decided upon the weight is on the back foot. The bat has started its down swing from outside the off stump and the hands are away from the body. The wrists are still cocked. The weight of the body is still on the right foot. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. The bat continues it's down swing with the hands beginning to drop; the ball being well over -pitched will have to be dug out. The left foot has been brought back, allowing the batsman to open up the hips.

The weight of the body still on the back foot. The right wrist is still cocked. Both arms are bent. The hit is about to be made. The right hand takes the major part in the shot. The right shoulder drops as the right hand hurries the bat towards the ball. The balance of the body is still on the right foot. The eyes watch the ball as it hits the pitch. Finish of the shot. The right hand having delivered the punch, takes the bat through in the direction of the hit. The body has turned, the right side coming into the shot when the right hand swung the bat through the pitch of the ball. The left foot goes back as the body completes its turn, with the swinging follow through. The eyes watch the ball go off in the direction of the hit.

The shot is played to the ball pitching short of the half volley, usually to the medium pace or quicker bowler when the ball is coming quickly off the pitch towards the batsman and arriving about shin high. The bat has gone up to the high pick up and the left leg and bat are moving out together. The wrists are fully cocked. The left shoulder points towards the oncoming ball. The eyes watch the ball, which is about to pitch. The left shoulder is still towards the ball, the bat coming down with the wrists still cocked. The right arm close to the side. The both elbows bent. The right leg is turning in and towards the line of the ball. The ball is about to be struck. The trunk is turning form the hips and opening up. The right arm still close to the right side.

The firm left hand leads the swing of the bat, the eyes watching the ball bounce off the pitch. Just before the actual hit. The hips have opened up to allow the right hand behind the handle of the bat to put the power into the shot. Both arms still slightly bent. The hands are accelerating the swing of the bat. The finish of the shot. The ball is going off the blade of the bat. The right hand has put the hit into the stroke. The right knee turns in with the turning of the hips, as the right hand begins to follow through. In the follow through, which is short, the bat is kept in the upright position. The follow through. Immediately after the left elbow bends and both hands go higher. The ball is played away and down. The eyes watch the ball go off the blade of the bat in the direction of the shot.

The shot is played to the ball pitching on a length, which unexpectedly bounces high towards the batsman's body. The ball is being played for the normal bounce in the orthodox back foot defensive way. The ball kicks up and the bat is brought up to protect the body, left elbow and shoulder high. The right hand is relaxed, to get the effect of a dead bat shot. The head is steady. The eyes watch the ball past the right hand.

The slower the bowler the easier it is to hit the short-pitched ball. The right foot goes back and across outside the off stump. The bat goes to the high pick up. The wrists are fully cocked. The right elbow is bent. The weight on the braced right leg. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. The right foot goes back and across outside the off stump. The bat goes to the high pick up. The wrists are fully cocked. The right elbow is bent. The weight on the braced right leg. The eyes watch the ball about to pitch. The bat is swing towards the ball. The left arm is unhinging. The right wrist is fully cocked.

The right elbow fully bent. The left foot comes back square, and parallel with the right foot, bringing the trunk and head round to face the ball. The hit is about to be made. The left hand leads the swing of the bat in a flat arc. The right hand is behind the handle, about to administer the hit. The trunk and head come round to face the ball, with the swing of the bat across the body. The follow through. The trunk and head do a complete turn. The right heel is off the ground with the right knee turned inwards. The right hand has turned the bat over to keep the ball down. The extended right arm in the follow through brings the right side round.

Bowling:

The basic grip. First and second fingers alongside the seam, the humb supporting underneath. Third and fourth fingers at the side of the ball. Foot positions at the crease when delivering the ball. Start by walking to the wicket. Whether walking or running to the wicket, the balance of the body will always go forward. The front foot is going forward. The hands hang down n relaxed position. The head is steady. The eyes look forward. The right hand swings high. The initial swing of the right arm to this position starts before the initial swing of the left arm. As the right arm swings up, the right foot has gone forward. The left foot comes forward past the right. The left arm carries on with this upward swing. The right arm commences the downward swing. The left arm carries on with the upward swing.

The balance of the body is on the back leg. The trunk is turning towards the sideways-on position. The eyes look down the wicket over the left elbow. The left arm has gone to a higher position. The trunk has turned sideways on. The head is steady. The eyes look over the left shoulder. The right arm stays close to the body in its downward swing. Back view, same stage he weight is back on the right leg, which is braced. The right foot points to the off side, assisting the sideways on position at the crease. The back is arched. Same stage, sideways on view. The trunk is leaning back. The right leg braced. The right arm has swung forward and back. He trunk is still sideways on. The eyes look down the wicket over the left shoulder. Same stage as 10 the side frontal view. The right wrist is arched and the palm of the hand is facing upwards.

The right arm is straight. The left arm is straightening and being swung in a line towards the stumps at the other end. The trunk remains sideways on. The right arm swings up just before the moment of release. The trunk is still sideways on. The back is arched. The left arm continues swing forward. The head is steady. Just before releasing the ball the hips turn. The right heel is off he ground, with the right knee bent. The ball is about to be released. The hand is upright, flexed slightly back and behind the ball. The left arm continues the forward and down swing. The weight of the body is on the braced front leg. The back leg is off the ground, with the knee pointing towards the batsman at the other end, bringing the right hip round in a jerking movement.

With the trunk sideways on for as long as possible, the right hip must do its work at this stage to bring the trunk round ready for the release of the ball. The moment of release body balance going forwards the batsman. The left arm continues its swing. The bent right leg follows on. The position of the hand just before the moment of release, flexed back from the wrist. The hand is upright behind the ball. The ball has been released and the chest is almost square on to the batsman. The left arm swings past the left side. The bent right leg is coming forward. The hips continue to rotate. From the start of the action on the bowler's arrival at the crease, the shoulders have done a lateral twist. The complete follow through.

The right leg goes past and moves over the front foot. The left arm swings on past the left side. The right arm completes the full follow through. The head is steady, with the forehead towards the batsman. Now run up to the wicket and jumps to crease, taking off with the left leg. All the movements will be brought together and performed at a quicker rate.

To bowl fast the right (bowling) arm must swing as quickly as possible. To assist the accelerated swing of the bowling arm, the trunk must do a very rapid twist and turn. The run up to the wicket will be much longer and quicker than that of the medium pace bowler. The run up should be accelerating so that the quickest point will be at the take off jumps towards the bowling crease. The final stride to the crease: the mid air position just before landing on the right foot at the crease. The right leg is going past the left and is about to land with the foot pointing square to the off side. The trunk is turning towards the sideways -on position. The left arm is reaching as high as possible.

The eyes look over the left shoulder. The head is steady. The right leg is braced. The right arm has gone forward and down and is about to commence the upward swing towards the moment of releasing the ball. The left leg is high and bent, ready to go forward with the forward swing of the left arm. Still sideways Just before the ball is released. The turning movements of the trunk and hips of the fast bowler, being made so quickly, means a more complete follow through over the left leg. The left leg has taken the shock of the body when it landed and the late accelerating turn took place.

The swing of the left arm has gone past and close to the left leg. The right arm is following the left arm round the body. The hips do a complete turn. The trunk goes low in the follow through. The forehead is towards the batsman. The eyes look towards the pitch of the ball, and follow it on its way.

The out swinger is the ball which swings from right to left on its flight down the wicket and follows that path after pitching. Put the right hand in the upright position with the thumb underneath and on the seam and the first two fingers across the seam. From the back First two fingers across the seam, third and fourth fingers in support. The position of the seam to across the first two fingers. The position of the hand at the moment of release.

The in swinger is the ball which swings in from left to right in its flight down the wicket and follows that path after pitching. Put the ball in the right hand in the upright position, with the first two fingers across the seam. The thumb supports and grips the ball underneath, while the third and fourth fingers provide further support. The position of the hand just before the ball is released; wrist cocked back, hand behind the ball. The hand has come to the upright position and turned inwards ready to 'push' the ball at the moment of release. The position on arriving at the crease the shoulders have opened.

The eye line is past the inside of the left arm. The right arm is high. The hand is behind the ball. The position just before the moment of release the wrist is cocked back, the left arm going past the left side. About to release or 'push' the ball. The wrist is still cocked backwards. The hand comes up to an upright position. The hand turns, still keeping the seam towards leg slip position but upright, ready to push the ball as the arm swings on to deliver it. From the back, about to deliver the ball the right foot comes off the ground.

The weight is over the left leg. The chest is well open. The complete finish the right hand has stayed in the position at the moment of release and the right arm swings past the right side. Head steady, eyes follow the ball down the wicket.

The off-spinner is the ball which is spun from the bowler's hand and spins from left to right in the flight down the wicket and turns from off side towards leg side when it pitches. The position of the feet in relation to the crease the left foot is towards the on side. The grip put the ball into the right hand, palm downwards, and spread two fingers over the seam. The ball rests against the inside of the thumb. Curl the fourth finger from the inside against the seam seen from the back. The fingers are spread, with the first finger against the seam from the front. The fingers are spread the fourth finger curled and ready to impart spin.

Arriving at the crease, weight on the back foot. There is a full shoulder turn, with the left shoulder pointing in the direction first leg slip. The front foot is across, in the direction of first leg slip. The bowler imparts left to right spin by bowling against the left side of the body. Head steady, eyes looking up the wicket. The bowling arm is about to come up to deliver the ball, trunk still fully turned. The bowling arm has commenced the upward swing. The right hand is turning to come palm upwards. The back is arched. The left arm starts swings towards he batsman. The trunk starts to turn. Just before the moment of release. The left arm has gone forward and down an the trunk starts to open the right side turns from the hips.

The hand is cocked backwards, and the palm is towards the batsman. The position of the hand just before the moment of release. The first finger is about to impart left to right spin. The deliver is made. The trunk and arm have jerked from the point in No. 11 to deliver the ball. This jerk of hips and shoulders is necessary because of the late turn of the body from the sideways on position. The hand is turning from right to left. The weight is up on the braced left leg. The height is kept at the moment of release. The complete follow through. The weight is on and over the front leg, but with very little loss of height. The right knee is well forward. The hip has completed its quick turn. The hand stays in position after imparting the spin, and the arm has come across the body. The eyes watch the ball in the air going down the wicket.

The off cutter is the ball which turns in from off to leg when pitching and is usually bowled at medium pace. Place the ball in the right hand with the first and second fingers close together and across the seam, with the inside of the second finger resting against the third finger. The spin is imparted by cutting the first and second fingers down and across the seam from left to right. The right arm is coming up ready to deliver the ball, still sideways on with the left arm swinging towards the leg stump. The back is arched with the palm of the bowling hand facing upwards. Just before the moment of delivery shoulders beginning to open. The right wrist is cocked backwards, head steady, eyes looking down the wicket. About to deliver the ball. The first two fingers on the right hand are in position to cut across the seam from left to right.

The hand has cut across the seam from left to right and is about to deliver the ball. Same position seen from the back. The trunk has turned with the swing of the bowling arm and the hand cutting across the seam. Weight of the body on the front leg. Just after the moment of release. Head steady, left arm swinging past the left side. The beginning of the follow through with the hand turning after cutting across the ball from left to right the trunk carrying on in its turn. The right arm swings in front of the right side of the body. The complete follow through. The right foot comes off the ground to go past the left leg. The right arm going past the right side.

The leg cutter is the ball which is cut with the first two fingers across the seam from right to left, producing a turn of the ball from right to left the pitch. Place the ball in the right hand with the first and second fingers apart and the inside of the second finger against the seam. To produce the cut, pull the second finger against the seam and push down the side of the ball with the first finger. Turn the wrist to this position. For the leg cutter, land at the crease with the weight well back and the trunk turned sideways on. The right arm swings forward and down, going behind the body. The right hand is beginning to turn. The left arm begins to go forward. The left arm continues its forward swing.

The right hand is coming into position, ready to deliver the ball and cut across the seam. The moment before the release of the ball. The trunk begins to turn back to the square-on position. The wrist is cocked backwards. The weight is on the left leg. Front view and back view. This will be the movement of the hand when the cut is made. The follow through immediately after delivering the ball. The arm cuts across the body. The left armgoes past the left side. The complete follow through. The weight is over the left leg. The bent right leg steps over the front foot. The right hand continues the turn from right left. The head is steady. The eves follow the ball on to the pitch.

The leg spinner is the ball that spins from right to left in its flight down the wicket and will turn towards the off side when it pitches. The grip. The right hand is out, palm upwards. Put the ball in the hand with the seam sideways on. Grip with the first three fingers. The grip with the hand in the upright position. The thumb is supporting, the first three fingers are gripping. The hand in the upright position forms the back. The fingers are spread with the third finger bent and the inside against the seam, ready to impart the spin. The position of the hand just prior to the moment of release, with the third finger ready to impart the spin. Position at the crease.

The right arm has swung forward and down. The right wrist is in a flexible (floppy), cocked position. The weight is on the back leg. The right arm is ready to swing upwards to the delivery point. The left arm is beginning to swing forwards, still sideways on. The palm of the hand faces upwards, with the fingers pointing away from the body. Close-up of the bowling hand at this stage. The wrist cocked. The palm is upwards. The fingers are spread. The left arm continues to swing forward. The right arm begins its upward swing. The right hand begins to turn. Just before the moment of release.

The arm is about to come up to the upright position. The hand has now turned and is facing down. The left arm continues its forward swing. The trunk is still sideways on. Side view immediately prior to the moment of release. The wrist is still floppy, pointing down. The trunk has opened up with the left shoulder down. The ball is about to leave the hand. The left shoulder is down, trunk opening up. The hand comes over with the third finger imparting the spin. Because the right hand is turning from right to left, the shoulder and trunk open up to assist this movement. The complete follow through. The right arm comes across the body with the right to left movement of the bowling hand, the body balance going forward over the braced left leg.

The googly is an off spinner bowled with a leg-bread action. But the wrist turns over earlier than for the leg break delivery. This means that the back of the hand is facing the batsman at the moment of release. The ball comes out over the top of the third and little fingers. It is 'flipped' out at the moment of delivery. About to swing the right bowling arm up to deliver the ball. The wrist is cocked and the hand faces palm upwards. The ball is held in the fingers of the hand, similarly to the leg break grip. Just before the bowling arm reaches the upright position prior to the moment of release. The right hand has reversed itself with the palm of the hand now towards the ground.

The ball is about to be released. The hand continues to roll over. The back of the hand now faces the batsman. The same position from the batsman's view. The left shoulder has dripped. The shoulders come round to bring the chest square on to the batsman. The balance of the body has gone on to the braced front leg. The head steady. The eyes look up the wicket towards the intended line of flight of the delivery. The ball is being released. The hand turns over in a rolling movement. The fingers impart left to right spin on the ball. The left side is down. The ball leaves the hand. The left shoulder is well down. The chest almost square on to the batsmen.

The dipping left shoulder assists the inside out turn of the bowling hand. The inside of the forearm bow faces the batsman. The right hand begins to straighten. The weight goes on to the braced front leg. The follow through the hand turns completely inside out. The inside of the forearm is still towards the batsman. The bowling arm is swinging past the right side. The chest is square on. The left shoulder goes up as the body weight goes over the front leg in the follow through. The right leg is bent at the knee as the hips complete a full turn.

This is the ball which swings from right to left on its flight down the wicket an maintains that path off the pitch towards the slip. It is bowled from over the wicket. The stumps are on the bowler's left side. Stand at the wicket with the left arm upright and cock the left wrist backwards. The first and second fingers alongside the seam; the thumb underneath, and the third and fourth finger supporting. The seam points towards first slip. The position just prior to releasing the ball. The shoulders open up. The weight on the right leg. The hand behind the ball ready to push the ball at the moment of release.

The hand has turned from the previous position with the turn of the shoulders. The hand at the moment of release turns towards first slip position and the ball is release with the hand upright. The complete follow through. The body fall away; towards the on side at the moment of release the ball. The left hand continues its turn in the follow through. The left side comes round. The shoulders do a full turn. The left leg is coming over the right. The right arm swings past the right side and continues behind, pulling the step over of the left foot away from the playing area of the pitch.

Stand at the wicket. Place the left hand in the upright position; first and second fingers alongside the seam with the seam pointing towards first leg slip; thumb underneath, second and third fingers supporting. The back will be well arched on arriving at the bowling crease. The right shoulder points towards first slip. The bowling arm is about to come up ready to deliver the ball. The back still well arched. The trunk beginning to turn back. The hand with the back towards the leg side keeps the seam in position. Just before the moment of release. The hand is still turning back. The right arm beginning to go around the right side. The weight on the right leg.

This will be the position of the hand at the moment of release. Just before he moment of release. The weight goes well over the right leg. The shoulders open up. The hand is upright behind the ball. The position of the hand after the ball is release. The complete follow through. The bowling arm has swung out in front of the body in a long arc, keeping the seam in position. The weight goes well over the right leg. The shoulders do a full turn. The left leg, knee bent, pulls the hips round and is ready to step over the right leg. The eyes watch the ball in its flight down the wicket.

Orthodox left arm spin will turn the ball from right to left off the pitch, the ball spinning from right to left in its flight down the wicket. Place the ball in the left hand, the first, second and third fingers apart, the thumb underneath, the first and second finger across the seam. The ball is spun with the first finger at the moment of release. Arriving at the wicket, with the weight on the back foot, the right foot points in the direction of the first slip with the right side also point in that direction. The left arm swings forward and down before coming behind the body. The left hand turns at these points, face upwards.

As the bowling arm commences the upwards wing, it begins to turn from right to left, the weight is still on the braced left leg, the head steady. The right arm is swinging forward towards first slip, maintaining the sideways on position. The back is arched. The left hand begins to turn in its backward and upward swing. The weight of the body do going on to the right leg. The head is steady. The eyes look down the wicket. Before the moment of release still sideways on the right arm goes forward the weight on the right leg. Position just before moment of release the weight is over the right leg, trunk opening up.

The hand in position, wrist cocked back the sho8ulders opening up. The head steady. The delivery the ball is on its way. The weight has gone over the right leg. Both arms are swinging on, the left arm cutting across the body. The left hand completes a full turn after spinning the ball.

The Chinaman is the off break bowled by a left hander with a leg-break action spinning the ball from left to right in its flight down the wicket and, on pitching, turns towards the leg side. The grip of the spread fingers riving at the wicket the weight well back. The right arm high and the eyes looking past the right shoulders. The position of the hand just before the upward swing of the bowling arm to deliver the ball. The ball is held in a similar fashion to the right hand leg bread and the spin will be imparted with the third finger. The hand faces upwards. Just before deliver. The back of the hand faces upwards and the wrist is still fully cocked. About to release the ball the hand is turning over and the left arm is imparting the spin. The complete follow through. The weight has gone on and over the right leg. The trunk and shoulders complete a full turn as the left arm swings across the body. The left hand, turning as it spins the ball from left to right, must bring the left arm across the body.

Wicketkeeping:

The wicket-keeping must expect every delivery to be a possible chance either for catching or stumping. He must get behind line of all throw-ins and, when standing to the fast bowler, be ready to move smartly up to the stumps. Both knees are fully bent to adopt a sitting down position. Legs are astride. The right foot is outside the off stump. The head is steady. The chin is up. The eyes are looking past the batsman for the ball as it leaves the bowler's hand. The backs of the hands touch the ground with the palms facing forward. The balance of the body is forward over the legs, with the backs of the hands palms turned inwards, taking the weight of the body.

The chin is down, he balance of the body forward. From this position it is difficult to see the ball from the bowler's hand. For the off-side take the fingers point towards the off side, the palm of the top hand towards the ball, and the bottom hand ready to close the hands on to the ball. If the ball is about to come into the hands, the eyes follow the ball to the final catch. On the leg side the fingers point towards the leg side. The eyes watch the ball coming towards the hands. Taking the throw in from the deep the eyes watch the approaching ball. The head is out of the line of his ball. The head is out of the line of the ball.

The hands are behind the calculated finish of the throw, the palms towards the ball ready to close and pull down towards the stumps for a possible run out. For the high catch well above the head the fingers point upwards, he palms of the hands are towards the ball, and the hands are together ready to close on to the ball. The eyes watch the ball coming towards the hands. Taking the throw from the infielder hands just above stump high palms outwards forming the target for the thrower. They are in position to move the hands to the stumps for a possible run out.

The right foot has moved toward the off side. The keeper has stood up, bringing the hands to the height of the ball. The hands have remained with palms facing forward. The balance of the body is also slightly forward. The eyes have watched the ball off the pitch. When the right foot went across the hell of the left foot came off the ground so that the hands would be behind the line of the ball. The right foot has gone back an not across to the off side. The hands are back and snatching for the ball.

The ball is going away from the keeper's hands and could well be pushed out. If the ball has been edged by the bat, the hands have given the ball extra space as it deviates from its line. The keepers stand up to the height of the ball but the feet do not move. The palms are facing forward. The hands are together. The eyes watch the ball of the pitch.

The left foot stays in its original position. Coming up off the heel, the right foot goes well across to a position allowing the hands to be behind the line of the ball. The weight of the body is over the right leg. The eyes watch the ball into the gloves, which are about to close on to the ball. From this position, the ball can be swung back to the stumps, with transference of the weight back on to the left leg.

The balance of the body goes towards the right leg. The keeper stands up, bringing the hands to the height of the ball. The right hand, palm forward, is ready to take the ball. The left hand is in position ready to join up with the right hand when that hand sweeps the ball towards the stumps. The trunk has not turned. The eyes watch the ball off the pitch towards the hands. The back view the ball has been taken by the right hand. The left hand joins the right, ready to close on the ball. The balance of the body sways on to the left leg. The hands swing the ball back to the stumps.

The legs begin to straighten, but the body stays down. The hands stay in their original position, palms facing forward, ready to scoop the ball up. The legs begin to straighten, but the body stays down. The hands stay in their original position, palms facing forward, ready to scoop the ball up.

From the original stance position, the right foot has slid out and back towards the off side along the ground, and the hands, also keeping their original stance position, go back. The eyes watch the ball as far as possible. From this position, the hands can take the ball back towards the stumps easily if a stumping chance arises.

The weight goes on to the left leg and the left hand goes high. The ball is about to be taken. The weight is on the left leg. The left elbow high, bringing the left hand up. The right shoulder dips as the right hand reaches across the body to join up with he left. The eyes watch the ball of the pitch. Same view from the back as 2a. The ball is swept towards the stumps the hands coming to a horizontal position. The trunk straightens with the swing of the arms.

Fielding:

Fielding practice should consist of catching, chasing and throwing. The good fielder is an all-rounder who can field both close to the wicket and the in or out field. Run towards the ball and stop with both hands. Bend the legs so that the hands can be brought down to the ball. The trunk bends over. The eyes watch the ball into the hands. The ball has been stopped. The right hand is palm forward, the left hand closing to ensure a firm grasp of the ball. The balance of the body rocks back preparatory to coming up for a right arm throw. The legs straighten the trunk at the same time turns sideways to the direction of throw. The weight is on the back foot. The arms come up. The left arm is bent, ready to straighten out towards the target. The right arm is bent. The hand is back and raised. The throw has been made. The left arm is thrown towards the target. The right (throwing) arm follows through in the direction of the throw. The balance goes forward over the front leg as the throwing arm swings towards the target.

Before the ball is caught the balance of the body is forward on to both legs. Both arms are bent. Both hands are together. Expect every ball bowled to provide a possible catch. Coming up for the catch the legs are straightening to come up to the height of the ball. The hands are coming together to take the catch. The eyes follow the ball as far as possible.

Always keep the eyes on the ball. The eyes follow the ball as far ass possible. The body is balanced on slightly bent legs. One leg is just in front of the other, helping the balance of the body. Both arms are bent. The hands are open with the palms uppermost. The catch has been made. The hands come back with the flight of the dropping ball and bring it close to the body.

The legs bend. The trunk comes down over the left leg. The left leg is forward. The right hand takes the ball, arm forward. The head is steady. The eyes watch the ball into the hand. Both legs have straightened. The trunk is turned sideways on in the direction of the intended throw. Same position back view. The throw has commenced. The left arm swings forward. The right arm comes from behind. About to release the ball upon the toes of the right foot. Balance of the body goes forward on to the left leg.

The left arm swings towards the wicket-keeper. The trunk turns with the swinging of the right arm. The head is steady. The eyes look towards the direction of the throw. The throw is made. There is a full follow through both with the throwing arm in the direction of the wicket-keeper's hand, just above stump level, and over the left leg. The left arm swings past the left side. The right leg comes off the ground as the right side turns with the swing of the throwing arm.