Simon Hughes
If the orthodox sweep is partially premeditated, the much-maligned reverse sweep is wholly so. Because you have to adjust your grip somewhat, once you've decided to play it, it's virtually impossible to change your mind. Although it was first exhibited by the Pakistani Mushtaq Mohammed in the 1970s, reverse sweeping is largely a recent one-day cricket phenomenon. It's called a reverse sweep because it is hit on the opposite side to a normal sweep.
 You don't see it that often in the Test arena, and even less often from a left-hander, but Chris Scofield (left) unveiled it in his first Test innings against Zimbabwe in 2000. The extent to which reverse sweeping is hugely premeditated (and therefore often scorned by the purists) is amply demonstrated here.
 In the first shot (top left), he is thinking about playing an orthodox sweep, but if the ball isn't suitable he can still abort and block it. But in the next sequence (left and below left) he has already inverted the blade in readiness for playing the reverse sweep. There's no going back from this point, with the bat and wrists pointing the wrong way. Luckily, the ball was in the slot and he swept it past the wicket-keeper's left hand to the boundary.
 However, it can be disastrous. England captain, Mike Gatting, played the reverse sweep to Allan Border's first ball in the 1987 World Cup final and edged it to the keeper. England's run chase bit the dust, and he wasn't forgiven for a long time.
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Copyright © Simon Hughes 2001
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