The Cut Shot in Cricket: Attacking Short Balls Outside Off Stump
What the square cut is, how to play it safely against short-pitched deliveries outside off stump, and why it is one of the most productive batting strokes in dry conditions.
The square cut (or simply 'the cut') is a powerful, horizontal-bat attacking stroke against a short delivery outside off stump, hitting the ball square on the off side — between backward point and cover point. It is one of the most natural attacking shots in cricket and one of the most effective scoring options when the ball is short and wide.
When to Cut
Cut only when: (1) the ball is short of length (or shorter), (2) the ball is wide of off stump (room to swing through), and (3) the height is manageable (waist-high or below for a safe cut, shoulder-high for a more aggressive cut). Cutting at deliveries that are full or not wide enough produces inside edges, catches to the keeper, or dismissals at slip.
Technique
Weight moves back and across, creating space. The bat comes down at an angle — nearly horizontal at the point of contact — and swings through the line of the ball. The face of the bat at contact should point toward the cover-point or backward point region. Wrists roll over the top at contact to keep the ball down.
The Cut in Different Formats
In Test cricket, the cut is used to punish poor bowling — a short, wide delivery in Test cricket invites the cut. In T20 cricket, the cut is a high-value shot because fielding restrictions push fielders inside the circle, leaving square boundary areas exposed. The cut for four in a powerplay T20 against a medium-pacer is a high-percentage boundary.
Frequently asked questions
What is a square cut in cricket?
The square cut (or cut shot) is a powerful horizontal-bat stroke against a short, wide delivery outside off stump, hitting the ball through the backward point or cover point region. The bat swings nearly horizontal at contact, sending the ball powerfully square on the off side.
What is the difference between a cut and a late cut?
The cut (or square cut) hits the ball at or slightly in front of the body with power, squaring it to the point region. The late cut plays the ball after it has almost passed the batter, guiding it fine past backward point toward third man with less pace. The late cut requires less space and is lower risk; the cut generates more power.
When should I NOT cut a ball?
Don't cut when: the ball is full (not short enough to have room), the ball is not wide enough (too close to off stump, risking an inside edge or hitting the stumps), or the bounce is unpredictable (you may not judge the height correctly). Cutting at the wrong ball to the slip cordon is one of the most common dismissal types in first-class cricket.