Off-spin, a traditional skill, turning the ball from off to leg (left to right) - has produced the greatest bowling figures in the history of the game, Jim Laker"s 19-90 against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956.       more..

Batsmen don"t see left-arm fast bowlers all that frequently, so having one to open the bowling is a priceless asset. Bowling from the other side of the stumps, he is coming at a different angle from the right-armer. He will therefore ask alternative questions and most batsmen feel they need to adjust their stance and guard. With no swing, his natural delivery, if pitched on the line of the stumps, will veer towards the slips. This is something the majority of batsmen just aren"t used to.       more..

Opening bowlers are, literally, the giants of cricket - huge, tall men with a killer instinct. They will emerge at the start of play, fired-up, looking for first blood; the batsmen facing have to be confident and calm.       more..

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.      more..

One of England"s greatest post-war batsmen, the late Denis Compton, was once asked if he"d have gone down the pitch to the leg spin of Shane Warne. "I don"t think so," he replied, "he"s got so many different tricks and he"d have seen me coming. I"d see how I got on sweeping him."       more..

There is a lot of confusion between the pull and the hook. Although they look quite similar, the basic difference is that the pull is played to a ball around waist height, the hook to a higher one at shoulder or head height, usually a bouncer. The hook is a harder shot to keep down (and safe) than the pull.      more..

There is a lot of confusion between the pull and the hook. Although they look quite similar, the basic difference is that the pull is played to a ball around waist height, the hook to a higher one at shoulder or head height, usually a bouncer.      more..

The cut is probably the most commonly-used shot in the game. It is particularly favoured by small, compact players who haven"t got much "reach" for drives and other forward shots. However, to a ball that is widish and shortish, they can jump back on their stumps in a jiffy and bring the bat down like an axe.       more..

Having found his radar, a quick bowler is soon likely to test an opening batsman with some shorter-pitched bowling. Not necessarily bouncers at his head, just deliveries that rise up a bit and explore his technique, reactions and courage.       more..

Obviously if the ball is straight a shot is required (and, anyway, you can"t score runs by leaving the ball). You"ll soon hear commentators rabbiting on about "footwork" - the basis of all good batting.      more..