Occupying the Crease

Late-order batting is largely a question of attitude. Glenn McGrath is generally reckoned to be one of the worst batsmen in the world, and his average of 5.84 (runs per innings) reflects that. But he works his butt off every time he goes to the wicket, using himself as a human shield to stop the ball getting through, frustrating the bowling side and allowing more able colleagues to add precious runs. It's is all part of the teamwork that has made Australia the hardest side to beat. A tailender like McGrath might only have made half a dozen in a last wicket partnership of 35 but the time he's taken up is as vital as the runs that have been added. That annoying extra half-hour in the field can have a significant psychological effect, demoralising the fielding side and giving the batting one a real buzz that can dictate how the next hour's play goes.

There is a good incentive for tail-enders to hang around at the crease. They're under no pressure, as they're not expected to do much, so any extra runs are a bonus and will be received enthusiastically. Also, the ball is usually soft (unless the new one has just been taken) and the bowlers are weary – they've been out there a while. Even more importantly, a decent stay at the crease puts off the moment they have got to go out and bowl themselves. The flip-side is that their specialist job (bowling) is a very tiring one, and some just haven't got the energy, or mental discipline, to bat for long. That is why until recently England's no.6 batsman often ran out of partners. Copyright material reproduced under license from Macmillan Publishers Ltd. London, England

Copyright © Simon Hughes 2001
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