5 innovative cricket shots and their history

#2 The hook shot

The hook shot was perfected by former Australiancaptain Ricky Ponting

The hook shot is special because it brings together the skill of both a fast bowler and a fearless, aggressive batsman. The hook is seen as a bold, brave response to the fast bowler's most dreaded weapon, the bouncer directed at the head.

The shot isdirected toward not just the scoring of runs but also to resisting the fast bowler's attempt to impose his dominance on the batsman.

This is how the hook works: the bowler runs in at full tilt and sends hisball hurtling. The batsman swivels, turning the bat over and down and hooks the ball. It soars away,sometimes on a downward trajectory,sometimes shootsupwards and over the fence.

When the hook doesn't come off, it usually leads to a dramatic catch far away at fine leg when the fielder is precariously close to the fence.

Usually, the hook shot is mostly played and perfected by West Indian or Australian batsmen like Ricky Ponting. However, Indian batsman Mohinder Amarnath was also known to pull this shot off in style.