The Cut Shot in Cricket: Playing the Short Ball Outside Off Stump
The cut shot is played to a short-pitched delivery outside off stump, directing the ball toward point or the off-side boundary. Learn the technique, types of cut, and when to cut.
What Is the Cut Shot?
The cut shot is a back-foot batting stroke played to a short or short-of-a-length delivery outside off stump. The batter moves onto the back foot, opens the bat face, and punches or drives the ball through the point region. The square cut directs the ball perpendicular to the pitch; the late cut angles the ball finer toward third man.
Types of Cut Shot
- Square cut: direct hit perpendicular to the pitch, through point or backward point
- Late cut: angled behind square, toward third man or between slip and point
- Upper cut: played to a very short, rising delivery, angled over point or third man boundary
When to Cut
The cut is played to deliveries wide of off stump that are short enough for the batter to get on top of the bounce. The batter needs room outside off stump to play the shot freely — a delivery too close to the body restricts the swing. Cutting a ball that is too straight risks a leading edge or bowling around one's legs.
Great Cutters of the Ball
Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, and Gordon Greenidge are remembered for devastating cut shots. Greenidge in particular used the square cut to destroy fast bowling that strayed outside off stump, earning him the reputation as one of cricket's most destructive openers.
Frequently asked questions
What length is best for the cut shot?
The cut is best played to a short-of-a-length or short delivery outside off stump. The ball must be short enough that the batter can get on top of the bounce, and wide enough to give room for the bat swing.
Can you cut a spinning ball?
Yes. Batters cut short deliveries from spinners as well as pace bowlers. Against off-spin, cutting an off-spinner's short delivery away from the body is a common scoring shot. Against leg-spin, the cut must account for the ball turning in.