4
54 | ME Cricket | May 2009 MUDASSAR NAZAR ON JUST WHAT MAKES SACHIN TENDULKAR SO GOOD ABOUT MUDASSAR NAZAR Mudassar has a wealth of playing and coaching experience having played 76 Tests and 122 ODIs for Pakistan during the 1970s and 80s. One of his predecessors as Pakistan’s opening bat being his father, Nazar Mohammad. He scored over 4,000 Test runs with a highest score of 231 and an average 38. He coached the Kenyan national team, was NCA Director in Pakistan and is now at the ICC GCA. IN THE NETS ANALYSIS BY THE ICC GLOBAL CRICKET ACADEMY O ne of the greatest batsmen of any cricketing era, Sachin Tendulkar has consistently performed at the very highest level of international cricket for two decades. Sachin Tendulkar has currently amassed 42 Test Centuries at an average of close to 55 and has been the most complete batsman of his time, and arguably the world’s biggest cricketing icon as well. But what makes him so good? Technically, his batting is based on the purest basic principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses, anticipation. His ability, skill and technique allows him to score runs freely all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, and has made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions. If we watch other great modern day players like Jacques Kallis or Ricky Ponting, they probably differ slightly in technique and style from Sachin, but all great batsmen have a common denominator: perfect Balance at the Crease. HEAD He watches and plays the ball with a still head. KNEE He bends his back knee to offer balance and weight transfer. ICC Global Academy Coach and former Pakistan Test player, reveals the secrets of the master blaster COVER STORY

In the Nets, Analysis by the ICC Global Cricket Academy

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Just what makes Sachin Tendulkar so good.

Citation preview

Page 1: In the Nets, Analysis by the ICC Global Cricket Academy

54 | ME Cricket | May 2009

MUDASSAR NAZAR ONJUST WHAT MAKES SACHIN TENDULKAR SO GOOD

ABOUT MUDASSAR NAZARMudassar has a wealth of playing and coaching experience having played 76 Tests and 122 ODIs for Pakistan during the 1970s and 80s. One of his predecessors as Pakistan’s opening bat being his father, Nazar Mohammad. He scored over 4,000 Test runs with a highest score of 231 and an average 38. He coached the Kenyan national team, was NCA Director in Pakistan and is now at the ICC GCA.

IN THE NETSANALYSIS BY THE ICC GLOBAL CRICKET ACADEMY

One of the greatest batsmen of any cricketing era, Sachin Tendulkar has consistently performed at the very highest level of international cricket for two decades. Sachin Tendulkar has currently amassed 42 Test Centuries at an average of close to 55 and has been the most complete batsman of his time, and arguably the world’s biggest

cricketing icon as well. But what makes him so good?Technically, his batting is based on the purest basic principles:

perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses, anticipation. His ability, skill and technique allows him to score runs freely all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, and has made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions. If we watch other great modern day players like Jacques Kallis or Ricky Ponting, they probably diff er slightly in technique and style from Sachin, but all great batsmen have a common denominator: perfect Balance at the Crease.

HEADHe watches and plays the ball with a still head.

KNEEHe bends his back knee to offer balance and weight transfer.

ICC Global Academy Coach and former Pakistan Test player, reveals the secrets of the master blaster

COVER STORY

Page 2: In the Nets, Analysis by the ICC Global Cricket Academy

May 2009 | ME Cricket | 55

HANDSAllows hands to extend in direction of shot

BACK LEGHe pushes off inside of his back foot to get well forward enabling him to get on top of the ball.

ELBOWHis high elbow and top wrist locked to enable him to hit the ball with the full face of the bat.

FRONT FOOTThe angle of his front foot is facing towards where he wants to hit the ball, creating a plane.

POSITIONHis head fi nishes towards the front leg with eyes level. Notice the direction of his momentum

His batting is based on the purest basic principles: perfect balance, economy of movement and precision in stroke making”

SACHIN TENDULKARThe Secrets of the Master’s game 1 Sachin does what all the great compact batsmen do when driving on the front foot, he stays perfectly balanced by not over stridding. If the stride is too long or two short, balance is compromised.

2 He plays the ball amazingly late. Sachin always watches the ball right to the end before executing any shot. This gives him effortless timing and means he rarely plays at balls he doesn’t need to.

3 Sachin keeps his head amazingly still. Even in his stance as the bowler is approaching, you won’t see too much bobbing of the head. This allows his eyes to stay level and gives him the clearest view of the ball as possible at all times.

4 In the cover drive he plays (above) you can see that his back foot is on toe and raised. This allows him to keep his head and weight over the front leg (around 75% of

his weight is over his front leg here), instead of leaning back which may cause him to hit the ball in the air.

5 Sachin Tendulkar doesn’t seem to have a signature stroke because he is equally profi cient in each of the full range of orthodox shots. His high hands and high left elbow allow him to keep the bat face open and pointing in the direction he wants to hit the ball.

Page 3: In the Nets, Analysis by the ICC Global Cricket Academy

COVER STORY

GRIPTendulkar grips the bat low, suiting his wristy, punchy controlled play.

HEADEyes always on the ball. He plays with a clear, calm head. Only ever focussing on the next ball

Clarity of thought

is the key to top quality shot selection, practice is what gives him such good execution”

What is most impressive about Sachin Tendulkar is that he keeps his game incredibly simple. Clarity of thought is the key to top quality shot selection, practice is what gives him such good shot execution. What often happens during performance is that players become distracted and their

perception of the ball is blurred by internal battles (against poor timing or lack of foot movement or opposition etc), which only adds frustration to the problem.

Tendulkar has always remained the epitome of calm assuredness at the crease. Never tapping his bat too

56 | ME Cricket | May 2009

hard, nor losing his temper or allowing himself to become embroiled in personal battles. The time for thinking and analysing is on the training ground. The match pitch is the place for allowing all those instincts to be expressed. Nobody does that better than Sachin. Cricket

Measured and calmEven when put under pressure by short stuff, Tendulkar remains composed. Watching the ball at all times.

Page 4: In the Nets, Analysis by the ICC Global Cricket Academy

58 | ME Cricket | May 2009

A player’s choice of cricket gloves is very individual. What suits one will not always suit another, hence the reason there are so many design and spec options available. Here, we review the best Dhs 100–150 can buy

IN THE BAG...BATTING GLOVES

The gloves are on!

AJ SPORTS SULTANComfort: The most comfortable of the split-fi ngered options here. Not too clumsy. Limited airfl ow inlets may cause excessive sweat build up.Protection: Test quality protection, although split fi ngers can be compromised by a ball at times. Extra protection on bottom hand is good.Design: Visually striking. Price: Dhs 125Rating:3/5Available from: AJ Sports

EDITOR’S CHOICE

KOOKABURRAComfort: Huge glove, perfect for those with previous hand/fi nger injuries. Immense internal padding. Perhaps a little much for some. Protection: Barely a corner of the glove not covered by protection. Super Test quality.Design: Modern and fl ashPrice: Dhs 160Rating: 4.5/5Available from: AJ Sports

G-FORCE TEST (2ND)Comfort: Pre-bent fi ngers make gripping the bat easy and effortless.Protection: As good as any on show here. Useful double protection on fi rst two fi ngers.Design: Nothing extravagant. Understated, clean sausage. Price: Dhs 120Rating: 3.5/5 Available from:Jaspara Sports

SS TESTComfort: Slightly stiff and restrictive fi ngers. Heavy too.Protection: Poor quality foamDesign: Bright and energectic if a little gimmicky.Price: Dhs 140Rating: 2/5Available from: Jaspara Sports

GUNN & MOOREComfort: Split fi nger design gives fi nger fl exibility bit tight fi t and long fi ngers are restrictive. Lots of airfl ow holes.Protection: Not the best here. Low density foam.Design: Busy and gothic look. Not to our tastePrice: Dhs 100Rating: 2.5/5Available from: AJ Sports