Simon Hughes
While the line of a particular delivery determines where it is hit,
the Ôlength' generally dictates whether it is hittable in the first place. For a bowler of any speed, fast or slow, a good length ball
is one they hope won't be scored off (particularly if it's straight) because it's not full enough to drive or short enough to pull or cut.
A. Good length ball -from a fastish bowler, this will pitch five or six yards in front of the batsman, leaving him unsure whether to play back or forward. For a slow bowler it will be further up, perhaps two yards in front of the batsman.
B. Short of a length -this will pitch say eight yards from the batsman and
force him onto the back foot. If it's a quick delivery he might have to fend it off his ribs; if it lacks venom it's likely
to be pulled or cut.
C. A half volley -from a fast bowler this will land roughly two yards from the
batsman. It's easier to drive this delivery because bat contact will be made closer to the pitch of the ball; it won't bounce up as much or have time to deviate.
D. A bouncer - this lands about halfway down the track, though the taller and faster the bowler, the closer it will be pitched to the batsman. A long hop is a bouncer that hasn't quite come off -the ball sits up at a good hittable height.
Copyright material reproduced under license from Macmillan Publishers Ltd. London, England
Copyright © Simon Hughes 2001
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