by Stephen. D
(Vijayawada, Andhrapradesh, India)
Sachin Tendulkar : On the Pull
Hi Coach,
my name is Stephen, I am a right-handed batsman. Is height a problem for a batsman?.I am a short guy, my height mentally makes me feel inferior in my batting.
Can you suggest some ideas for facing the short ball, I feel like it is a problem for me because of my lack of height.
Hi Stephen, if you believe being short is a problem, then it will be.
What if I were to suggest that many of the greatest batters in the world have been short, how would that make you feel?
A chap called Don Bradman with a Test batting average of 99, another chap called Sachin Tendulkar, another called Virender Sehwag and yet another young man called Virat Kohli … all short batters.
So perhaps being short can be an advantage for you?
Whatever you believe, is true, so it’s about time you start thinking that being short is cool, that you can be a top batter and be short.
The advantages are these, being short forces the bowler to bowl fuller as the back of a length ball gets cut and pulled.
So the fuller length ball gets driven.
The bowler compensates and now drags back his length, he gets hit square of the wicket.
These are the great strengths of the short batter, being able to manipulate the bowlers length.
Allied to this is your ability to rotate strike, so work on your touch game.
I have written many times about having four areas to get off strike, two in front of the wicket and two behind on both sides of the wicket, off and on side.
Work on some tip and run skills in the nets and middle practice, to soften your hands. Also work on hitting the ball into space to collect singles.
The short ball and back of a length ball are key areas for you to work on, practicing your cut and pull game to be able to hold pressure on the bowler.
Do lots of throw downs and under arm throws with your partner working on this aspect of your game.
Focus on watching the ball from the throwers hand so you train judgement of length of the delivery.
Working on the short ball, here is an earlier mail for a young batter who got hit and lost confidence on this part of his game.
Cricket Mental Toughness Training: Overcoming Fear Of Getting Hit.
Be patient, work on this slowly so that it can grow into your game, don’t play shots that you have not mastered and are confident in.
Build your innings by working through the gears, it starts in first gear, the first part of every innings is to get your focus tuned in and concentration switched on. Get off strike low risk whilst you build your innings and get your mind focused.
Hope this helps, best wishes coach
About Richard Pybus
I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.