David Morrison, a amateur league wicket keeper whose all the 10 fingers have been broken

In 45 years of wicket keeping career, David Morrison who is an amateur league cricketer had broken all of his 10 fingers.He was reluctant to seek medical attention because he was feared that he may lose his place in the team.So he simply apply a bag of frozen peas and carry on playing.

When doctors got a chance to look at the fingers of David Morrison, they said that the fingers are so badly damaged and needs to be pinnned in place.The doctors were really amazed and they took the photographs of Morrison’s fingers.He is now aged 66 years and had sought medical aid.

David Morrison, a taxi driver from Scruton, suffered most of his injuries in his younger days wearing flimsy chamois leather gloves.

Adam Gilchrist

A wicket keeper is one of the important fielder in cricket.Confidence and concentration is much needed for a wicket keeper.Taking the ball behind the stumps becomes easier as you practise more.

Basic wicket keeping tips

step1

After adopting the correct stance, the body should rise as you judge the bounce of the ball.Move the feet and body to get into the line with the ball.

Step 2

• If the ball is below the chest height,then take the ball with the fingers pointing down.
• If the ball is above the chest height, then twist the head and body and take the ball with hands horizontal.

Video showing wicket keeping tips

Charles Coventry's individual score was equalled with Saeed Anwar

Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe equalled the highest individual score of 194* runs with Saeed Anwar of Pakistan.Charles Coventry made this glitzy knock against Bangladesh in the 4th ODI of Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe in August 16th 2009.Charles Coventry’s 194 runs include 16 fours and 7 sixes in 156 deliveries.

Zimbabwe, batted first took 312 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs.Charles Coventry’s remarkable innings went in vain since Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh took 154 runs in 138 deliveries and led Bangladesh an easy victory in 47.5 overs.

Saeed Anwar scored 194 against India in Chennai in 1997. However, Saeed Anwar was out on this individual score while Coventry was unbeaten on 194.

Charles Coventry not only equalled Saeed Anwar’s record but also surpassed the highest ODI score by a Zimbabwean. Craig Wishart scored 172 runs unbeaten against Namibia in Harare at the 2003 World Cup.

1. Donald Bradman
   
2. Viv Richards
3. Barry Richards
4. Inzamam Ul Haq
5. Ricky Ponting
6. Sir Jack Hobbs
7. Steve Waugh
8. Adam Gilchrist
9. Brian Lara
10. Gary Sobers
11. Greg Chappell
12. Rahul Dravid

The unfortunate omissions from the list are Sachin tendulkar,Gundappa Vishwanath,Everton Weekes ,Rohan Kanhai ,Gordo Greenidge or Mattew Hayden.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is indisputably one of the best consistent player in cricket.Once Don Bradman said that “he reminds of myself”.So there is no doubt he is one of the best international cricket player in the history with most centuries in both ODI as well as test cricket.But Sachin’s contribution to winning matches takes a beating compared to Inzamam-ul- Haq and Ricky Ponting.

Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam’s total number of centuries in the test cricket is 25 of which 17 centuries have helped Pakistan to win tests and the winning percentage is 68.When the Australian skipper Ricky Ponting taking into account, from his 38 test centuries, 24 have converted to test match-winning knocks and the percentage amounts to 63.But Sachin Tendulkar scored 42 test centuries of which 16 have helped India in winning tests and the percentage amounts to only 38.

Ricky Ponting cuts to the point

The most important comparison is the number of centuries in the second innings.Out of 6 centuries of Ricky Ponting, 5 have helped Australia in winning tests and the percentage is 83.Inzamam had 4 match-winning centuries out of 6 centuries.That is 66%.But Tendulkar have scored 10 centuries of which only 3 have helped India in winning matches and the percentage amounts only to 30.

As far as aggressiveness is considered Sachin,Inzamam and Ponting is almost similar.It may be India’s load of expectations that agitates his mental toughness or is he unable to manage pressure in the middle.Sachin Tendulkar always enjoyed more, batting in the first innings than in the second innings.

According to Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar was more comfortable when he accumulates more runs.But in cricket when you change your approach you are inviting trouble.And hopefully sachin will devise a new strategy that help him to increase his winning percentage.

Posture after the back foot defensive shot

Back foot defensive shot as the name suggests is a back foot shot usually played of a just shot good length delivery.Playing off the front foot of this just shot good length delivery will increase the risk of getting out.So, going backwards to meet the delivery will make you much comfortable and also it will aid you full control of the shot.

Play with soft hands, which means relax your hands on the bat handle that helps you to take the pace off the ball and reduces the chances of getting caught near the wicket.

How to play back foot defense in cricket?

Step1

The back foot should move back towards the stumps, but stay inside the line of the ball.The weight should be on the ball of the back foot, but the head should remain forward.

Step 2

Move the front foot towards the back leg, but remain side-on to the bowler.

Step 3

At the point of playing the shot, Swing the bat down, keeping the front elbow in a high position and with the full face of the bat directed straight down the wicket.The bat, angled slightly towards the pitch or ground, should make contact with the ball directly beneath the eyes.

Video showing back foot defense shot tips in cricket

Front foot defensive shot posture at the time of playing the shot

Front foot defence as the name suggests is a defensive shot meant mainly to block the cricket ball rather than to score runs.The front foot or forward defence is usually played off a good length delivery.

How to play the front foot defence?

Step 1

The head and front shoulder should lean into the line of the ball.The front leg should stride towards the pitch of the ball, bending to take the weight.The back leg remains straight.

Step 2

The bat should swing down and make contact with the ball beneath the eyes and the face of the bat should be angled towards the pitch.

Step 3

At the point of playing the shot, the bat should come forward slightly of the front leg and close to the batting pad.The heel of the back foot must be raised at the time of playing the shot, which is the finishing position rather than following through.

Video showing front foot defense tips