If you tilt your hands slightly so that the ‘V’s formed by your thumbs and forefingers are aligned with the part of the bat that lies between the spine and edge of the bat, this will give you more power when cutting or pulling the ball, and by changing the angle of the bat face, help to keep the ball on the ground. [2] X Research source Both the cut and pull are cross-bat shots utilizing a horizontal swing to hit the ball on a trajectory perpendicular to the direction of the bowl. The cut shot uses a shorter swing to hit the ball in the direction the batter is facing (the off side). [3] X Research source The pull uses a longer swing to hit the ball to the part of the field behind him as he faces the batter (the leg side). [4] X Research source
A high grip (hands towards the end of the handle) will generate more power. This is good for playing vertical shots (when the bat is swung upward at the ball on a vertical plane) that drive the ball. [6] X Research source A low grip, or “choking” the bat (hands towards the blade of the bat) will give you more control. This is good for horizontal or cross-bat shots (when the bat is swung horizontally, as in baseball). [7] X Research source
Edging is when the ball is struck with the edge of the bat instead of the face. These glancing shots are often caught for an out by the wicket keeper or the slips – fielders who are positioned behind the batter. [8] X Research source
This means you will rotate the ‘V’ formed by the thumb and forefinger of your bottom hand – counterclockwise if your right hand is the bottom one, clockwise if your left – so that the ‘V’ faces the edge of the bat. If you are holding the flat side of the bat downwards, this means the ‘V’ formed by your bottom hand will now be oriented horizontally to the ground, rather than facing downwards.
If holding the flat side of the bat towards the ground, the ‘V’ formed by the thumb and forefinger of your top hand should now right side up – i. e. the ‘V’ should open upwards.
Fast bowling – Fast bowlers specialize in bowling the ball fast, as opposed to generating spin. Bowling over 87mph (140kmph) is generally considered fast bowling. The fastest bowlers can throw the ball over 96 mph (154 km/h) (155kmph). Short bowling – In cricket, the ball is usually bounced before it reaches the batter. Fast bowlers often bounce the ball well short of the batter, so that it rises to chest or head height as it reaches them. A quick bat helps the batsman to hit shots at waist to shoulder height. [11] X Research source
