5 unorthodox cricket shots behind the wicket

2. Lap Shot

ABD is as prolific behind the wicket as he is in front of it

The first name that comes to your mind when thinking about the lap shot has to be AB De Villiers. The maestro has perfected this shot to such a degree that he plays it as easily as a cover drive. His timing, balance and execution of the lap shot is unbelievable and more often than not, he has left the crowd spellbound with his acrobatics.

The lap shot is a near sweep where the batsman goes deep into the crease just as the ball is being released. The ploy gives the batsman additional time to pick the right shot and also to convert a possible yorker into a length ball. If the length is full, he goes for a full stretched powerful sweep. According to South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, the shot has changed the dynamics of the contest between bat and ball.

“It changes the dynamics of how the guy’s bowling at you and also the field. They will probably bring mid-off up and push fine-leg back which opens up another scoring area. That shot epitomises how batting has moved forward. The lap or ramp shot is fantastic for the game. Cricket has grown as a result,” Kallis said.

The shot is quite risky considering that it is executed off a fast bowler, possibly bowling above the 140kmph mark. To escape unhurt and to execute the shot with perfect timing and balance, the batsman requires to keep his eyes locked on the ball.

Other advocates of the lap shot include Glenn Maxwell and Jos Buttler, who are pretty much devastating packages even without these shots.