Sweep and Reverse Sweep Shots
The two batting shots which are rarely applied in cricket are the sweep and the reverse sweep. Especially reverse sweep is hardly applied. Though both shots can be applied in certain batting circumstances and are also a powerful technique to score runs.
There is a high factor of menace involved in the sweep shot, therefore good decision and brilliant timing is important. Don’t play the sweep and reverse sweep in the beginning of your innings particularly to straight deliveries, because it’s not a good plan to perform it until you observe how the pitch is playing and the bowler performance. For an instance, if the ball hanged about low it would be relatively easy to misjudge and get out LBW or bowled which you absolutely have to avoid, so remain patient and play wisely.
The both sweep and reverse sweep are cross batted shots and should be perfectly played to slow down deliveries of good length. To play the orthodox sweep shot, wait for the ball to be released first before making any movement.
DON’T PREMEDITATE THE SHOT!
Once you have decided the sweep shot for the ball, step your front foot as far down the wicket in the direction of the pitch of the ball. Now as you are stepping forward bend both the knees simultaneously so that your whole body is positioned down. Let your back knee touch the ground to perform as an added foot of support. Try to remain balanced and comfortable. Take the bat down from the off side and across the ball in the direction of the leg side and aim to hit it either in front of or at the back of square leg.
To play the reverse sweep, put on the same positions as for the orthodox sweep, but this time, keep your bat down and cross-ways from leg side towards the off side as if you are aiming to hit the ball through the channel area. This shot involves a very good synchronization and timing, since you have to twist the bat so that the bat face faces the off side at the point of contact without disturbing your grip.
Keep in mind that the sweep and reverse sweep are relatively tough shots to master and bear quite a lot of risk. So if you plan to use them, practice the shots in the nets to build the confidence and skilled enough to apply so.
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