Part one: describe your batting and fielding prowess
Introduction:
A natural opener, but due to the workload of bowling I have taken on in recent seasons and my conversion to ODI specialist, I have been batting in the middle and lower order almost unerringly of late in both forms of the game. Typically a defensive batsman - my defensive technique is sound and I take much pride in having a good eye, especially outside the offstump.
How would you describe your style of batting
I favour the offside and have, in the past, had problems playing shots off my legs. The pull shot and hook shot are generally comfortable though, perhaps due to my height of 6ft 3 inches. I do enjoy driving off the front foot, especially straight, cutting and late cutting. I've also grown fond of both the sweep and reverse sweep of late, using them to good effect when in search of quick runs against seam bowlers.
What are your main weaknesses when holding the bat?
My main weaknesses tend to be swing combined with an angle, and the yorker. Regarding the swing, I tend to favour right-arm seamers above left-armers, as the angle allows easier compensation for the swing in my experience. The yorker has always been a problem as I have a tendency to attempt to ondrive or straight drive it, even when it's impossible to do so. Typically this weakness shows up early in my innings (if I get a yorker in my few deliveries I usually lose my middle stump) but as I get in it becomes a lot easier to negotiate.
One other weakness, which isn't exposed too often, is to the quick sharp-rising delivery. The tendency is to spoon the ball to short-leg or pop it back to the bowler.
How would you describe your skills in the field. What is your favourite field-position?
I believe I have good reflexes and anticipation and am a very good ground fielder. However, no-man's land catches tend to be a problem. That is, those that are hit (not edged) straight at me around eye level. Slip catching and short-leg catching has always been my favourite, but as far as fielding goes, I love backward point. My arm is only moderate in strength, but very accurate.
Part two: your bowling abilities
How regularly do you bowl at the domestic level?
My option varies within the range of 1st change to 3rd change depending on prevailing conditions and the performance of the bowlers before me. Typically I bowl 12-15 overs per innings in FC cricket I would estimate and at least 6 in ODs. I can, however, bowl long spells of containment if required and prefer to bowl at the death of the OD game.
Do you bowl seam-up or sidespin?
Depending on the game situation I bowl seam-up or impart some sort of wobble/spin on the seam. If bowling with a newer ball, the intent is always to hit the seam. Generally in OD matches and roles of containment in FC, I do prefer to roll my fingers over the ball, ala Klusener.
How much and how do you move the ball through the air?
Reverse swing actually comes easier earlier in my spell rather than later. The most prodigious movement I get is inswing though.
How much assistance do you usually need from the wicket to get the ball to move upon striking it?
Cutters are my specialty, especially late in OD games. I don't think I typically get much movement off the pitch though.
In which direction (assume a right-hander is on strike) does your stock-ball move from the batsman?
My stock delivery sees the ball coming into the right-hander and away from the left-hander on a fullish length.
Are you able to bowl - to order - a ball that moves in the opposite direction to your stock-ball? If so, how well would you say it tends to be disguised?
I can produce a decent away-seamer, but this is generally hit-or-miss at about a 50% success ratio. The ball will always go straight through at least when I attempt this, but when it does seam away, it moves a noticeable amount. Action-wise it's well disguised, but a close look at my finger placement may tip it off.
What length would you say is your "stock" length?
Stock length is definitely full.
What (if possible) is an average pace?
Around about 85 mph when fully fit. Used to be quicker, but have lost it lately. Recently I've cut my pace to around 80mph in most situations, focussing on accuracy more than previously.
Additional Info.:
Can also bowl tidy offspin at a quickish pace. Working on occasional legspin, but that's more for use in seam bowling situations, to add to my collection of slower balls. My offbreak is the best slower ball in the arsenal though.
