Top 5 innovative measures used by batsmen

#1 When Adam Gilchrist batted with a squash ball on his left glove

Gilchrist after reaching his century in the 2007 WC Final

Most of the people remember Gilchrist using the squash ball during his belligerent innings of 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup Final but very few people know that Gilly started using the squash ball as a training device many years back before actually implementing it in an international match.

The idea of using the squash ball came from Gilly’s coach Bob Mueleman whose basic idea was to make Gilly take the bottom hand off the bat handle a little bit. He felt that if Gilchrist could control it with the top hand and not get the bottom hand too much it would allow him to have a better technique and better swing of the bat.

It was prior to the 2007 World Cup when Mueleman asked Gilchrist to try the method in a match. Gilly used it in a couple of matches in the Ashes series but never felt comfortable. It was like having a pebble in your shoes. Though it doesn’t stop you from doing what you want to do but at times it’s pretty annoying.

Gilchrist went into the World Cup and decided to stick to the method. He played all the matches in the group stage with the squash ball but was unable to score big. He failed miserably and decided to bat without the squash ball in the semi-final. He was knocked over in the 2nd ball of his innings for a duck and decided to use it again if they reached the Final.

In the Final, Gilchrist smoked the Sri Lankan bowlers all around the park and created the platform for the 3rd consecutive World Cup win for Australia. He finished with 149, an innings of the highest calibre which ensured Australia strolled to their 3rd consecutive World Cup title. Gilchrist acknowledged Mueleman’s unique method by showing his left glove after reaching his century.