Raam Pillai
RHB
Hallam CC
Stance/Setup
Lower bat in stance (ideally balancing comfortably just above the stumps) to allow a sufficient area to take up in backswing to create more downforce when looking to put hands through the ball (i.e. to drive a half volley - will enable a better contact, so long as hands are working together on downswing).
Be careful bending knees significantly in stance, this can encourage head to potentially fall further off-side if not managed effectively & weight falling in that direction (making it difficult to setup a strong, well balanced position to straight balls or those angled towards the legs). They of course need to be bent to establish a well balanced position to be able to press forward or backwards depending on the length of the ball, but be careful creating a leaning effect.
Front foot
Try to manage head position in stance to allow eyes to remain level to be well balanced as the ball comes towards. Sometimes head can begin leaning to the off-side early and thus finding it difficult to play balls down the ground. Balls angled towards the legs, challenge to hit down the ground towards mid-on, as opposed to looking to work leg-side (can only really happen if head position allows - setting up a strong position, remaining upright).
Back Foot
Cut Shot - Try to maintain a side on position to allow the ball to come across the body and then lean into, and over the ball to time well and create a good contact. On occasions tends to square shoulders up down the ground back towards the bowler, and as such can be early on the shot and dragging the ball straight
Lower bat in stance (ideally balancing comfortably just above the stumps) to allow a sufficient area to take up in backswing to create more downforce when looking to put hands through the ball (i.e. to drive a half volley - will enable a better contact, so long as hands are working together on downswing).
Be careful bending knees significantly in stance, this can encourage head to potentially fall further off-side if not managed effectively & weight falling in that direction (making it difficult to setup a strong, well balanced position to straight balls or those angled towards the legs). They of course need to be bent to establish a well balanced position to be able to press forward or backwards depending on the length of the ball, but be careful creating a leaning effect.
Front foot
Try to manage head position in stance to allow eyes to remain level to be well balanced as the ball comes towards. Sometimes head can begin leaning to the off-side early and thus finding it difficult to play balls down the ground. Balls angled towards the legs, challenge to hit down the ground towards mid-on, as opposed to looking to work leg-side (can only really happen if head position allows - setting up a strong position, remaining upright).
Back Foot
Cut Shot - Try to maintain a side on position to allow the ball to come across the body and then lean into, and over the ball to time well and create a good contact. On occasions tends to square shoulders up down the ground back towards the bowler, and as such can be early on the shot and dragging the ball straight
