I play cricket. I used to bat for my university but these days I make a good job of opening the batting and scoring sod all for my local team in the West Wales Cricket Association league setup.

Seeing as this is a picture thread, and many people here don't know much about the greatest sport known to man, and the fact I have some time on my hands, here is a quick rundown of (a few of) the strokes available to a batsman given a certain delivery (pitch for our ex-colonial cousins). Yes, this is me, during a training session. DisclaimerI hope you have a good internet connection. Some pictures are of a trouttier quality than others

Forward Defensive



This is probably the most commonly played shot in a test match. If the bowler has bowled a good delivery that would be risky to try and hit, just flat bat it safely to the floor. Opening batsmen play this a lot. Notice the downward angle of the bat!


Back Foot Defensive



The same thing, but for when the bowler bounces it a bit higher and it's heading for your midriff/chest. Trickier to keep the ball down. One can also try and smack these ones out of the ground with a shot more akin to a baseball one if the ball is coming a bit slower (called 'sitting up'), but I don't tend to play those shots anymore after I completely missed one and it crashed into my breastbone instead. Still notice the downward angle of the bat!


Cover Drive



For balls headed past you that are going to miss the 'off' stump (the one furthest from the batsman) and are reasonably pitched up close and low or on the half-volley, twat it through the covers (a fielding position at about 45 degrees to the pitch). The second picture is more of a forehand slap, as the ball was a bit higher. Notice the stillness of the head!


Straight Drive



The picture is more of an off drive but smurf it. For deliveries a bit closer to the stumps. Notice the smaller step forward to keep balance!


Leg Glance



For deliveries heading towards your legs, in this shot you 'flick' the ball off your shins just before it hits them by angling your bat towards the leg side at the last moment. In the picture I shouldn't have played this shot to that ball, as if I'd have missed (which I often do) I would have been clean bowled. Notice...nothing, really. That was a horrible shot.


And Finally...




Coming next week: The pull, the hook, the sweep, and the flamingo! But not really