BATTING : SQUARE CUT

Square cut is an attacking shot that is played off the backfoot to a ball that is pitched short of a good length and is wide of off stump. It is a very productive shot and the aim is to hit the ball square of the wicket through the point and gully fielder. It is a useful shot because you may not score or even get out to the deliveries that are short outside off stump that cannot be driven. It is shot that gives you a lot of pleasure when executed properly.

KEY POINTS

Stay nice and relaxed on your normal batting stance with your head still and eyes leveled.

 As you judge the line and length of the ball to be suitable for the cut shot (short and wide of off stump), move your backfoot, back and across towards the off stump.

Shift your weight onto your backfoot and bring your bat down and across the line of the ball towards the off side, increasing your bat speed into contact, from a high position to lower one. Remember to roll your wrists over the ball to keep it down.

Follow through of the bat can be natural but you must be balanced and relaxed.

COMMON FAULTS

Generally batsmen can get out caught at point or gully if they don’t keep the ball down by rolling the wrists over the ball and also if they don’t play from high to low. Try to practice the drills for the square cut in the nets, hitting the ball from high to low along the ground.

Playing away from the eye is another mistake most of the batsmen make. Head shouldn’t be away from the ball for proper execution of the shot.

The inability to hit the balls in the gap is another problem. You can develop hitting the gaps by using targets to hit the ball between in the nets.

Poor timing and identification of line and length suitable for the cut is another problem. Mostly batsman gets out trying to play a cut to a ball that is very close to his body. There should be room for the arms to open up and extend while playing the shot.

These are the few things that might help you improve your ability play the square cut. Try to remember these things while practicing the drills for the shot.