by Krishanu
(Ranchi, Jharkhand, India)
The Sachin Tendulkar Cover Drive
Hi Coach, it seems I have developed an instinct to sweep any ball that has been pitched up.
It works well against the spinners but it has caused a deterioration in my ability to play pacers, especially when the ball is swinging and if it is pitched up and is around the leg stump…please help
Hi Krishanu, you have just got into a bad habit against the quick bowlers. As you say, the sweep is a functional shot against the spinners, especially for rotating strike and manipulating the field.
It is a shot that you can learn to play on length and in learning to judge it well you can sweep just about any ball that is full enough.
Against the fast bowlers the majority of your shots are going to be off the front foot, you need to get back into the habit of hitting the ball with a vertical straight bat, either defence, strike rotation or driving the ball offensively.
Make this your new habit so it over-rides the bad habit you have developed, the sweep is not an option against the quicks.
Set up a target area from cover to midwicket, you can use some cones or markers for this, any balls that are straight and full, target hitting them back up into this zone.
Do this for three or four weeks, each time you practice in the nets, it takes about 21 days to establish a new habit but I think it will go quicker for you as it has been part of your game.
Look at the great players like Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, the vertical bat shot is the foundation of their game.
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.