Cricket: Ian Bell - Defending Against Spin

Ian Bell was famous for having the best cover drive in world cricket.

Batters should always be looking to score runs. When a bowler delivers a half-volley, it should be scored off and the best way of doing this is by playing the cover-drive.

Watch this drill to see how you can coach your players to drive like Bell!

A forward defense is played to a good length delivery. It's a defensive type of shot and therefore the amount of runs scored from it is irrelevant

Played to a length ball pitching on or around line of the stumps

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter and one feeder minimum required. 6 tennis balls per pair/group.

Feeder looks to feed the ball around middle stump, using an underarm 'bobble' feed. Already down on one knee in sweep position, batter looks to play orthodox sweep shot (shot number 1), aiming for the line indicated on diagram.

This drill can be done in pairs/groups of three (minimum one batter and one feeder required), with six tennis balls per pair/group.

Batter plays shot from one knee and progresses to ordinary stance when competent in the kneeling sweep position.

The types of feed should be rapid fire feeds, where hands only move, and balls are fed quicker. Move onto the types of sweep below, hitting:

1. Orthodox sweep
2. Paddle sweep
3. Slog sweep
4. Reverse sweep

Feeds need to be altered slightly here, quicker for the paddle, and wider and more looped for slog sweep.