From the straight drive to the reverse sweep, we take you through the different shot types in cricket.
Whilst the rising popularity of T20 cricket has led to a whole host of new shots being brought into the game, most shots can be sorted into three distinct categories; front foot, back foot and unorthodox.
Front foot
Straight drive
The most classical shot in a batter's arsenal, the straight drive aims to capitalise on a full-length delivery by pushing the ball straight back past the bowler.
Cover drive
Similar to the straight drive, the only real difference is the direction in which the ball is struck.
The batter will aim to hit the ball on the offside, between point and extra cover.
On drive
Again, very similar to the straight drive, the on drive sees the ball struck back past the bowler but on the leg-side.
Forward defence
The forward defence is likely the first shot that a player will learn to play. It is the most common shot in cricket and is usually played to a good length ball where scoring opportunities are not immediately apparent.
Sweep
Straight back into the attacking shots, the sweep is played with the intention of scoring runs square of the wicket.
Batters generally play this shot against spin as it involves bending the front knee and playing the ball with a horizontal bat.
Reverse sweep
In the past the reverse sweep was seen as an unconventional stroke but is now a regular occurrence in the game.
The batsman will switch hands whilst the ball is in the air, bend the front knee and play the ball square of the wicket on the offside.
Back foot
Back foot drive
Used when the ball is pitched shorter, the batter tends to move back in his crease and attempt to find a gap in the in-field using a combination of power and timing.
Back foot defence
If a short ball is delivered with no width on offer, the scoring option may be limited.
This is where a batter will move back in his crease and look to defend, hitting the ball straight back at the bowler, using the full face of the bat.
Square cut
An attacking back foot shot, the square cut is played when width is on offer, allowing the batter to free his hands and hit the ball square of the wicket on the offside.
Pull shot
Played with a horizontal bat, the pull shot requires the batter to rock onto the back foot and make contact with the ball by bringing the bat from the offside to the legside to send the ball between mid-wicket and backward square leg.
Hook shot
Made famous by Ricky Ponting, the hook, similar to a pull shot but played when the ball is shorter pitched is an attacking stroke likely to go in the air anywhere between fine leg and mid wicket.
Unorthodox
Switch hit
An attacking shot where a player will change stance as the bowler releases the ball, in theory opening up areas of the pitch with less fielders which increases the likelihood of scoring a boundary.
Upper cut
Played to short balls exclusively, the upper cut is executed when the ball is pitched on the offside and passes the batter around shoulder height.
By getting underneath the ball and lifting it over the slip cordon, there are scoring opportunities at the third man boundary.
Ramp
A shot that was pretty much inconceivable around 20 years ago, the ramp sees the batter deflect the ball, using the pace of the delivery, back over his head to access the boundary directly behind the wicketkeeper.
