The Hindu : Sport : The value of No. 6 in ODIs

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Thursday, Mar 15, 2007
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The value of No. 6 in ODIs

S. Dinakar

Chennai: Cricket is a lot about end-game skills. Sides that comprehend how to close out games finish at the right end of humdingers.

Stump to stump bowling, fuller length, reverse swing, and variations in speed are the chief ingredients for bowlers at the death.

A bunch of batsmen with skill and heart counter these bowlers in the end overs. They are the Finishers.

They do the job when scoring can be hard. The white ball becomes soft in the last 15 overs, can turn brownish and does not travel quickly off the bat.

The batsmen have to work the ball around deftly for the ones, the twos and the occasional threes and run hard. They also need to deliver the big blows.

In pressure situations — tension mounts with every dot ball — they are expected to hold their nerves. They have to think on their feet, create.

Pivotal slot

Welcome to the realm of the No. 6 — a pivotal slot in any line-up. The No. 6 is the link between the first half and the lower order. He builds partnerships with the specialist batsmen, inspires the less equipped ones. You do not judge his contribution in numbers.

It is likely the champion side of World Cup 2007 will have a very good No. 6.

One-day cricket has evolved, so has the dynamics of batting. Given the tendency of the sides to use the full quota of the Power Play overs straight up (first 20 overs), the innings are being paced differently.

A side strives to make the most when the field restrictions are in place, and in the last 15 overs when much focus is on the run-to-ball equation.

This leaves only 15 overs in the middle for consolidation. With the pace of batting having increased, the value of a No. 6 cannot be overemphasised.

Common sense

Australia's Michael Hussey, a southpaw of refined strokes and a sound technique, is cool in stressful situations. His strike rate of 91.33 is as astonishing as his average 66.88 (1739 runs in 61 ODIs). The southpaw picks his spots and the gaps, can out-think the bowler.

Much of Hussey's cricket oozes common sense. His intent is as decisive as his footwork; there are no premeditated blows here.

Andrew Flintoff is different from Hussey. The Englishman forces bowlers to change tactics with massive hits. His methods are simple — he picks the length early and hits through the line with enormous power.

Cutting edge

New Zealand's clean-striking Jacob Oram provides cutting edge to the Kiwi batting, otherwise a line-up of efficient players. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (SR 98.49) destructs with power hitting and ability to innovate. Being a wristy customer, Dhoni makes it hard for the captains to set a field for him.

Pakistan does not have a settled No. 6, but the languid Shoaib Malik impressed in the Cup opener against the West Indies. For the Caribbeans, the free-stroking Dwayne Bravo is best suited for the role.

The Finishers could mark a new beginning for their sides.

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