How Jos became a 360-degree batsman

THE arrival of Twenty20 has taken the art of batting to new heights, with a new generation of players now capable of hitting more inventive shots all over the ground.

Techniques have moved away from the traditional MCC coaching manual as the ability to hit boundaries and clear the ropes has become crucial.

Here we look at Jos Buttler’s amazing range of shots that make him one of the hardest players to bowl to in the oneday or Twenty20 international arena.

THE RAMP

Moving across his stumps and opening up his stance into a ‘French Cricket’ position, Buttler is able to flip the ball over his head over fine leg, depending how the field is positioned.

REVERSE RAMP

Using the crease, Buttler moves across his stumps but instead of deflecting the ball over fine leg, shifts his hands to work the ball over third man.

REVERSE SWEEP

By quickly switching his hands around after the ball is bowled, the right-handed Buttler takes on a lefthanded grip before sweeping the ball behind point on the off side.

SLOG SWEEP

A powerful shot played over midwicket from a traditional sweeping position but looking to lift the ball over the infield.

STRAIGHT

By pointing his front foot towards midwicket, Buttler opens up his stance and adopts a baseball type position, enabling him to gain far greater elevation and loft full deliveries out of the ground.

AND THE BAD NEWS FOR BOWLERS? HE’S WORKING ON A NEW ONE

Buttler has been watching AB de Villiers and is hoping to copy the South African master by learning how to sweep pace bowlers hard over the infield in a shot first mastered by former England and Lancashire star Mal Loye.