Surprise reverse sweep unfair by bowler and fielders

Richard Dwight

Quite a few batsmen in the ongoing World Cup cricket matches, were found to be resorting to the reverse sweep. They do seem to be on the increase, with England's wicket keeper batsman, the dexterous Paul Nixon, effectively using the stroke for good measure to get the better of the bowler.

The reverse sweep executed at opportune moments by the batsman, does bring about an element of surprise on both the bowler and fielder, to catch them on the wrong foot as it were. This therefore smacks some of us, as a stroke that is simply not just and fair - where the batsman without declaring his altered stance, seeks to take mean advantage, which amounts to cheating.

We aren't quite sure as to whether there are books on the fundamentals of batting and bowling, especially in respect of the larger version of the game, that makes reference to the reverse sweep. Nor do farsighted coaches instruct, guide and encourage the young to play the reverse sweep in the far more elaborate and serious game of cricket.

Though ungainly and lacking in elegance, the reverse sweep could however be tolerated in the limited over's game, provided the batsman forewarns the bowler and the fielders of his intention. For otherwise, the batsman through it will seek undue advantage over the bowler and the fielding side, which amounts to cheating that is hard to condone and, has no place in this noble game, we call cricket.

In the generality as we confine ourselves mainly to the field of play right out there in the middle - we find that the bowler in one way or another as against the batsman stand discriminated upon.

The discrimination, if one is allowed to refer to it thus against the bowler, comes along in the guise of the batsman being comparatively over-protected by his attire. Evidence of this is seen as the batsman, facing upto the challenging deliveries of the bowler - makes sure to fortify himself with adequate protection.

They are in the nature of pads to protect the legs, the thigh, the rib cage and chest, a guard for the groin, gloves for the fingers and of course a hideous looking helmet with a visor to protect the batsman's head, face and eyes.

In addition, he has the liberty of turning out on his own a protective gear to cover a spot on his body, which he feels could be vulnerable to injury. What a wide array of safeguards indeed.

In the light of this, the bowler though a vital component of the game, hardly finds anything coming his way. Unlike the batsman the bowler is closely observed by the umpire.

And if we are to take a closer look at the bowler when the action is on - we will find that the bowler is initially given the red cherry and later on the much used and wasted old ball, and simply asked to get on with it.

As he sweats for his wickets, he at times in the process is penalised for no balls, wides, shoulder high deliveries, ball tampering, poor over rate, foot marks that injure the pitch and for chucking amongst others. It must also be appreciated that the bowler whilst on the run does not change from a right armer to a left armer or vice versa.

And now comes the added disadvantage to both the bowler and fielder, when say a right handed batsman takes his guard, and then midstream as it were changes without any prior indication to a left handed position to engage in the reverse sweep.

The umpire would not be faulted if he paused for a while to call no play, for the batsman to make known his changed stance. The emerging question is that, whilst the bowler in advance indicates that he is bowling right or left arm, be it over or round the wicket, why can't the batsman do likewise of his change of position.

This strikes us as being grossly unfair and not coming under the realm of "Just and Fair Play". Not forgetting to mention too, that a batsman takes exception to a fielder's position being changed, while the bowler is on the run to deliver.

Not withstanding this, we are however mindful that cricket from its inception is spoken of as a batting game. Where many the world over are thrilled to hear the smack from the willow - especially when balls speed past the boundary line or soars over it. And with this being so, everything does appear to be going well for the batsmen, who truly are a mollycoddled, pampered lot, as against bowlers who suffer by comparison with little or nothing to spur them on.

Be that as it may, respite however could come the way of the bowler - if there is fresh thinking on the execution of the reverse sweep. A stroke that could prove crucial to be decisive, in a closely fought tight limited overs game.