When playing reverse swing,success is limited

It was an interesting battle between young Shami amp; veteran Chanderpaul who has seen it all.

As India medium pacer Mohammed Shami,who made his debut during the first Test in Kolkata, rose to prominence,the West Indies batting line-ups weaknesses against unconventional swing was exposed. However,one batsman who was the exception was the veteran of 149 Tests,Shivnarine Chanderpaul,who remained unbeaten on 31 in the second innings at Eden Gardens.

Though his individual score was inconsequential in a total of 168 all out and the innings and 51-run defeat that West Indies suffered,during his 60-ball stay at the crease the left-hander gave a good account of how to counter reverse swing.

Chanderpauls initial movement against Shami was back and across and with a big shuffle to cover his off stump he at times forced the bowler to alter his line. Shami still managed to create enough doubt in Chanderpauls mind with his pace and late movement but couldnt get him out. It was an interesting battle between a talented young bowler and dogged veteran who has seen it all.

At Eden Gardens,Chanderpaul faced 17 balls from Shami in the first innings and scored 13 runs at a strike rate of 76.47. In the second innings,he faced 25 balls and scored 15 runs. This time the strike rate was 60. He managed to see off the bowler on both occasions.

Chanderpauls methods seemed effective to counter reverse swing.

Was that the only way to nullify Shami?

You cant generalise. Every player has his own methods. Chanderpaul has his own way to negate reverse swing and you expect a player of his class and ability to back his judgment. But I doubt whether his methods would be applicable to his teammates as well, W V Raman,Tamil Nadu Ranji team coach,whos widely regarded as one of the best in the business in India,told The Indian Express.

So how do you play for reverse swing?

Intense focus on the bowlers arm,especially at the time of release,is the first step. In case of reverse swing,there will be a pronounced sort of tilt of the wrist. The batsman has to detect that. Also,reverse swinging deliveries basically dart in and seldom go out. So,the initial movement should be in accordance with playing an incoming delivery. And it is imperative to watch the ball till the last moment, Raman explained.

Raw pace devastating

At the same time he,however,said that at 85mph or above,reverse swing is almost unplayable if the bowler hits the right line and length.You never know how much the ball will swing,at what point will it start to swing. And at that pace youve very little time to adjust.

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Dilip Vengsarkar says there are some clear dos and donts when you face reverse swing at top pace. To start with,you play only those deliveries that are coming in and leave the ones going away while keeping an eye on the ball. Number two,you must rotate the strike. This is very important and the only way to upset the rhythm of the bowler. A batsman must try not to play a maiden over, said the former India captain.

Contrary to Chanderpauls method,Vengsarkar,however,said an initial movement forward would be helpful.

It forward movement will help the batsman cover the late swing. Then again,you need the skill and mentality of a top-class batsman to play top-class reverse swing. You shouldnt be upset if you are not batting as well as you think you should. Every delivery is a new opportunity, Vengsarkar commented.

Javagal Srinath analyses the matter from a bowlers point of view. A bowler will be happy to see a batsman getting mentally unsettled by reverse swing. So the batsman has to apply his mind. Of course he must have the ability to tackle late movement, he told this paper.