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== In cricket == |
== In cricket == |
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| − | Placing fielders in silly position is an intimidation tactic, especially when combined with balls bowled at the batsman's body, which is legal in cricket. The goal is to catch the deflection when the batsman instinctively protects himself with the bat. |
+ | Placing fielders in silly position is an intimidation tactic, especially when combined with balls bowled at the batsman's body, which is legal in cricket. The goal is to catch the deflection when the batsman instinctively protects himself with the bat. Fielders in silly position usually wear helmets and often protective padding. |
An extreme case of fielders in silly position exists in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyline bodyline] delivery, with several fielders placed close by. The tactic is controversial, leading to an international incident when England first employed it against Australia, and restrictions were subsequently placed on fielder placement to make bodyline tactics much less effective. |
An extreme case of fielders in silly position exists in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyline bodyline] delivery, with several fielders placed close by. The tactic is controversial, leading to an international incident when England first employed it against Australia, and restrictions were subsequently placed on fielder placement to make bodyline tactics much less effective. |
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Revision as of 20:14, 1 January 2020
In cricket, fielders may occasionally be placed very close to the batsman. These positions are named silly, deriving from the patent foolishness of standing so close.
In cricket
Placing fielders in silly position is an intimidation tactic, especially when combined with balls bowled at the batsman's body, which is legal in cricket. The goal is to catch the deflection when the batsman instinctively protects himself with the bat. Fielders in silly position usually wear helmets and often protective padding.
An extreme case of fielders in silly position exists in the bodyline delivery, with several fielders placed close by. The tactic is controversial, leading to an international incident when England first employed it against Australia, and restrictions were subsequently placed on fielder placement to make bodyline tactics much less effective.
On Effectively Wild
The podcast has occasionally taken up the issue of how effective (or even advisable) it would be to create a wall of infielders very close to the batter.
- Episode 217: A listener suggests packing "5-6 players as close as possible to the batter."
- Episode 219: Ian from Ireland responds that such a thing exists in cricket. Ben and Sam find this hilarious and can't believe it's for real.
- Episode 1254: A listener email wondered what would happen if a team "put five or six guys right in front of the batter’s box so they could just stand in the way of any batted ball."