5 batsmen with unorthodox technique who have conquered the challenges of Test cricket

Batsmanship in Test cricket requires a high degree of skill, concentration, stamina and hunger for runs. Test cricket is referred to by all great players as the ultimate challenge because success in Test cricket requires an exceptionally high level of physical and mental toughness.

A batsman in Test cricket encounters various challenges in different conditions and different match situations and fortitude and resilience are required to convincingly and consistently succeed. The ability to adapt is also essential in combating diverse conditions from the spinning tracks in India to the swinging pitches of England or the pace and bounce in Australia.

Each batsman has a unique batting technique which forms the core of the player's batting persona. However, it is not essential to have a textbook batting technique in order to achieve success in Test cricket. While exceptional Test batsmen like Tendulkar, Ponting, Lara had a sound batting technique which looked very elegant there are some batsmen with unorthodox or unusual batting techniques who have managed to conquer the challenges of Test cricket.

Let's have a look at some of these Test batsmen with unorthodox techniques ranging from an ambitious youngster to a legend of the game.

---

#5 Peter Handscomb

Peter Handscomb, a 26-year-old Aussie burst into fame with an excellent start to his Test career highlighted by not being dismissed for less than 50 in his first 7 Test innings (the first Test player to achieve this). However, it is his highly unusual batting technique which cricket pundits and experts have scrutinized. Handscomb, though, has stuck with his unconventional batting technique and used it very successfully against both seamers and spinners.

Handscomb's unique batting technique involves high hands, a fan-like bat lift, wide stance that extends deep into the batting crease and wriggling his bat up and down as the bowler releases the ball. He developed this technique in conjunction with the then Victorian head coach Greg Shipperd in 2014. The motif of the batting technique is that it gives Handscomb a fraction more time to deal with the fast pacers. While dealing with spinners though Handscomb believes in reading the ball from the hand (instead of off the pitch), he uses his feet effectively and is regarded as one of the best Aussie batsmen against spin. He also has the sweep shot in his repertoire which he often uses to combat spin.

Handscomb has a superb average of 47.35 over 22 innings with 2 centuries and 4 fifties including outstanding performances in the subcontinent. He looks well poised to have a great Test career ahead. Although his batting technique is unorthodox, Handscomb has achieved success with it because he is comfortable with it.

#4 Faf Du Plessis

Faf has crafted some incredible Test innings like his 110* in Adelaide, 2012

Faf Du Plessis the current Proteas Test skipper was initially considered a limited-overs specialist but with a good county stint he got a Test call-up and has never looked back. With an average of 42.73 over 84 innings Faf has played some high-quality Test innings.

Faf's Test prowess is based on an unusual axe-like bat grip in which his bottom hand and top hand are far apart. The grip seems suitable for cuts and pulls but one would think it would be tough to drive with it. However, Faf has constructed many well-crafted Test innings using this batting technique. He likes to spend time at the crease and is known for his impeccable defense.

Faf is a great proponent of using an unorthodox technique to great effect in adverse conditions. His knock of 110* in Adelaide, 2012 in his debut Test innings to save what seemed like a lost Test match for South Africa ranks among the elite Test innings.

#3 Steve Smith

Smith's technique has been referred to by experts as unorthodox but sound

Steve Smith is probably the greatest modern proponent of an elite Test player using a very unorthodox technique. The former Australian Test skipper was considered as the next Bradman and was the best Test player in the world in 2017.

Smith has achieved extraordinary feats with an outstanding Ashes, 2017-18 and a spellbinding average of 61.37 over 117 Test innings. Smith has performed exceptionally in various conditions using a very unconventional batting technique which bowlers have failed to breach. Smith's batting technique involves starting with a leg stump guard but continuing with a shuffle across to the off stump with a fan like bat-lift. The initial assumption is this makes him a prime LBW candidate but Smith with his exceptional hand-eye coordination rarely gets out LBW. His technique allows him to control the ball efficiently to manoeuvre the ball through gaps.

Various experts analyzing Smith's technique like former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting have concluded that although it is extremely unusual, it is sound and allows the batsman various scoring options as well as a solid defense. Coming across the stumps also influences the bowler to change the line compared to what is the ideal line for a normal batsman. Smith has achieved incredible success using his unique batting style.

#2 Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul is an elite Test player who is often underappreciated

Chanderpaul is a West Indian cricketing legend and the second highest Test run scorer for West Indies after Lara. With an average of above fifty over 50 over 164 Test matches and 11867 runs in his Test career, Chanderpaul certainly belongs among the elite Test batsmen but is often underappreciated.

Chanderpaul's batting style is very unique. He stood at a 90-degree angle to the customary position as the bowler ran in but shuffled back to the conventional batting stance just before the bowler released the ball. He found this crab-like batting stance comfortable because he emphasized on keeping his head still and giving him a two-eyed view of the bowler. He battled adversity with a healthy fusion of doggedness, adaptability, skill, and bravery. He also could switch between sedate and resolute defensive shots and enterprising aggressive shots depending on the match situation.

Chanderpaul has played many productive contributions in difficult situations and has effectively fought the challenges of Test cricket using an unconventional batting technique.

#1 Sir Donald Bradman

Bradman had an exaggerated follow through like a golfer which facilitated greater power in his shots

Sir Donald Bradman is regarded as the greatest batsman ever to play the game and arguably the best cricketer ever. With a record high average of 99.94 over 80 Test innings and a First-class average of 95.14 over 334 innings, Bradman is truly an all-time legend of the game.

Many cricket students from around the world have deeply studied Bradman's unorthodox batting technique which brought him so much success. His self-developed batting technique and immense concentration were the keys to his success. Bradman's grip and wide side-on stance and placing the bat between the feet(rather than behind the rear leg which is common) lead to a crooked bat lift with the face of the bat pointed at the slip cordon rather than straight back. This allowed Bradman to play shots like the cut and pull while ensuring the ball is kept down and doesn't loft and go aerial. Bradman maneuvered the bat through a continuous arc and back towards the plane of the ball during the downswing in preparation for impact. After striking the ball Bradman had an exaggerated follow through with his bat ending up over his shoulder and along with his spine like a golfer. This method allowed him greater power in his shots.

Bradman strongly stuck with his unorthodox batting style and used it to become a prolific run scorer and the best batsman in cricket history. He demonstrated great willpower and concentration in crafting some of the greatest Test innings like his 334 against England and 299 not out against South Africa.

New Zealand v West Indies - Third Test: Day 1