| Young players should study Test players carefully | | | | Remember that the initial movement, such as |
| and learn from watching what they do. There is so | | | | Chappell made to pace bowlers - a short movement |
| much to be learnt in this way. But there are dangers. | | | | of the back foot back and across towards off |
| Remember:o The player you are watching are much | | | | stump is not a full backward movement. They are on |
| more experienced than you. He may have had years | | | | the way back because most deliveries from pace |
| to develop particular shots.o The wickets he is | | | | bowlers in first class cricket are short of a length and |
| playing on are probably far truer batting surfaces | | | | require back foot shots. Furthermore, the short step |
| than you have.o Do not try to change your entire | | | | back gives the batsman more time against real pace. |
| style to copy someone else. | | | | But it is only an initial movement and from there the |
| You can bring things into your play, but you must be | | | | batsman then plays back further or forward, |
| yourself. The back-foot drive was a powerful | | | | according to length. |
| characteristic of lan Chappell's batting. To the pacier | | | | Also, you must not make up your mind what shot to |
| bowlers, quite clearly, lan commits himself back and | | | | play before the ball is bowled - this decision can only |
| across towards off-stump with his initial movement. | | | | be made according to the length, direction and type |
| When the ball is well up, he does not always move | | | | of each delivery. If you are making this mistake, |
| forward again as the copy book would suggest, but | | | | what can you do?o Ask someone to spend time |
| blazes away at the pitch of the ball. This he does | | | | throwing a ball to you on the half- or full volley to |
| magnificently and, on percentages, successfully. | | | | practice your front foot shots.o Draw a line across a |
| But Chappell was an very gifted player. | | | | pitch at a good length, then force yourself to go |
| For most of us, even when making an initial back | | | | forward to those deliveries landing or past it, and |
| foot commitment to pace, we have to play forward | | | | back to those shorter than it.o Next time you are in |
| from that position if the ball is of full length. This | | | | the nets concentrate hard and make decisions |
| would be for the simple reason of nullifying any swing | | | | regarding front or back only after the ball has been |
| or cut in the delivery. For most of us, the thumping | | | | bowled. In matches, just keep on batting like you |
| drive off the back foot to a well pitched up would be | | | | have been in the nets For a player to be successful |
| more likely to end up a snick to wicketkeeper or | | | | he/she must be able to play off both feet. Pretty |
| slips. | | | | basic stuff, but easy to forget! |