The ways of tackling a bouncer

By A.C. De Silva

Ways of tackling the bouncer... The batsmen taking strike to the new-ball will want to know how they are going to tackle the new-ball attack of the opponent's pace bowlers. Any stroke can be played early in the correct execution of that particular stroke. A great batsman is great because of his correct technique, which enables him to be in correct position to play the ball a fraction of a second earlier than the ordinary batsman.

Another question that comes up is the use of helmets. The question about the use of helmets? Using a helmet will give the batsman the necessary confidence to go out in the middle to face extra fast bowling, but in the long run, a blow on the helmet itself could be as injurious as on the head itself, because although the impact of the blow is lessened, the jarring effect will still be there.

So the best way to play the ball is either to hook the bouncer or, to duck under one.

Ducking difficult

Ducking may look easy, but in actual practice it is as difficult as hooking the bouncer. There are two ways to avoid a bouncer.

One is by getting under the ball and the other is by swinging one's body or rather your head in particular outside the line of the ball. Remember to watch the ball all the time otherwise any extra or untoward movement on the ball may land you straight on the operation table of a surgeon.

The Nari Contractor incident is enough of a reminder as to what will happen if you take your eyes off the ball.

To hook a bouncer, the batsman will have to move his back foot and across, inside the line of the ball is the front shoulder. Your back foot toe is pointing towards extra-cover or mid-off. The batsman should get his front feet close to the back feet. Swing the bat through, playing over the ball. The natural swing of the bat after the stroke will cause your body to pivot on your toes to avoid losing balance. If there is no fine leg fielder, you can try lifting the ball by hitting under it.

Taking a correct stance at the wicket: It is presumed that the batsman knows the correct grip of the bat which precedes the correct stance. The batsman should stand with his feet parallel to the batting crease. The batsman should keep a distance of approximate - 8" between the feet (approx. two bat widths). The batsman's body should be equally balanced on both feet. The bat should be kept near the toe of the hind foot. Rest your knuckles of the upper hand on the front foot thigh. Turn your head to see down the wicket, at the bowler. Keep your head as close to the shoulder, the front one, as perpendicular to the wicket as far as possible. Relax your elbows and flex your knees slightly. The batsman must keep his shoulders in a straight line I.e. Parallel to the wicket as far as possible. Your upper hand elbow should be pointed down the wicket towards the bowler and your lower hand elbow should be pointing towards the stumps. Your hands should be firm round the handle while your elbows should be in a relaxed position.

Exquisite strokes

Now a cover drive or an extra cover drive are the most delightful strokes of cricket. Due to the change in the line of attack these days, these strokes almost vanished from the cricket scene.

It is a shot played to a ball pitched outside the off-stump a-half volley. Leading with your front shoulder and with your head in line of the ball, rake your front foot as close to the pitch of the ball, as possible, landing heel first.

Bring your bat down, simultaneously transferring the body weight from the back foot to the front foot. Make contact with the ball by the side of your front foot too. Swing your bat through.

Transfer your body weight completely on to the front foot and keep the bat in direction of the intended stroke.

Your back foot comes up on its toe tip, so that the body remains well balanced after the completion of the stroke.