Batsmen need to improve technique to face bouncers

Advent of T20 cricket has led to a massive change in batting style across formats

BEFORE HELMETS, FEWER PLAYERS WERE HIT ON HEAD BECAUSE THEY HAD A VESTED INTEREST IN AVOIDING CONTACT — IT WAS GOING TO HURT. THEREFORE THEY TENDED TO WATCH THE BALL CLOSELY

batsman is in position to move onto the back foot once he senses a short-pitched delivery, he can make sure his head is inside the line of the delivery, thereby ensuring that even if he misses an attempted hook shot the ball passes by harmlessly. Once a player’s head is inside the line of the ball he’s far more likely to watch the delivery closely because he knows he’s reduced the danger.

Conversely, if a batsman is trying to hook a ball that is unerringly on a line for his head, he’s almost certain to avert his eyes. This is when trouble occurs and it’s more likely to happen when the player has prema- turely charged onto the front foot. Once the weight is planted firmly on the front foot it’s virtually impossible to get the head inside the line of the ball unless that was the original path of the delivery.

There are players who have no intention of hooking but duck immediately on seeing a short- pitched delivery and in doing so take their eyes off the ball. This is inviting trouble, especially if the ball doesn’t bounce as high as expected.

Before helmets, lesser players were hit on the head because they had a vested interest in avoiding contact — it was going to hurt. Therefore they tended to watch the ball closely to make sure they didn’t get hit.

Hookers are rarely hit because it’s a difficult shot to play and requires the player to watch the ball closely. The biggest danger for a hooker is a topedge deflecting the ball onto the head. With the increased emphasis on fast scoring in the modern game, there’s a tendency to encourage young players to practice fancy shots like reverse sweeps and scoops. My advice would be to learn the traditional shots first and, as it could cause injury and the possible loss of a match, ensure you know how to deal with the short-pitched delivery before attempting to practice any fancy shots.

GETTY South Africa’s Hashim Amla takes evasive action against a bouncer. Some who don’t play the hook, duck instinctively to short-pitched deliveries and take eyes off the ball. This is inviting trouble.