9 batsmen who use their feet well against spinners

9 batsmen who use their feet well against spinners: On several occasions we have seen that batters come down the track and use their feet against spinners. But why do they do that? There are reasons why some players are successful against spin while others aren’t. If we talk in pure cricketing sense then countering spin requires some real abilities. The spinners generally setup the batsmen by bowling in a rhythm. And if spinners start bowling at immaculate line and lengths then they dictate terms to the batters. Generally those who are inapt at using their feet against spinners are found frozen and dumbfound in the crease. Playing spin is an art and using feet is one of the key determinants of a good player of spin. The prime motive behind using the feet is to pick the length of the ball early and get as close to the ball as possible, and to get into a good position. It also unsettles the spinners and they fear giving much air to the ball and are forced to bowl on a flatter trajectory. Such batsmen are nimble-footed and can read the spinners out of their hands which aids them in having assured foot movement because there is not much of a reaction time after the ball is delivered. It also forces the captain to take out the close in fielders. Especially on rank turners this skill helps the batsmen in changing ends. These batsmen masterly use the depth of the crease and rock on the back foot as well as on the front foot at will. It requires meticulous skills and self-belief to use your feet. But over the years few prodigal batters have been able to do so. Generally we associate Asian players with this skill but there have been a few non-Asian players as well who have used this ability to perfection. Here we list 9 batsmen who use their feet well against spinners: 1. Michael Clarke (Australia): Michael Clarke. (© Getty Images) Michael Clarke is hailed as an exceptional player of spin. And why he wouldn’t be as well? In the very 1st Test match of his career he was confronted with the nerve-wracking challenge of countering Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh who were pioneers of spin bowling especially in tandem in there den. But, Clarke right from the beginning seemed apt at using his feet against the turning ball. He who is equally good against pace; would come down the track to get to the pitch of the ball and punishes the spinners while at times he was right there to defend it. Michael has combated spinners like Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan and Kumble which reflects his meticulous skills against spin. 2. Sourav Ganguly (India): Sourav Ganguly. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Bengal tiger Sourav Ganguly indeed justified his nickname to every bit and piece. It would be an understatement to call him just good against spinners as he turned the heat as soon as he sighted a spinner. Ganguly was especially belligerent against left-arm spinners as he had the tendency of creating his arc on the mid-wicket and then he use to step or dance down the track with all his swagger to get the ball under his eye and thereby sent the ball for a long-walk in the stands. Ganguly was very quick on his feet and had a very good insight about the lengths of the spinners which made him a mastero against spin. 3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson. (Photo Source: AFP) Short in height but huge in contributions is the tagline with which people generally associate the character of this upcoming legend of the game. If we talk about the Kiwi players then traditionally their deficiencies against spin has never been a secret. But Williamson is a player from a different league all-together, and that is what separates him from the rest. In testing conditions of India and at a tender age he made his Test debut and responded with a ton to announce his arrival in international arena. His success mantra against spin lies in the way he uses his feet to ease the ball into the gaps while his quick foot movement allows him to execute his trademark lofted on-drives. 4. Faf du Plessis (South Africa): Faf Du Plessis. (© Getty Images) Faf du Plessis turned into a protagonist in his very 1st Test outing when he played a match saving innings for his nation against Australia in Adelaide. But the remarkable thing about him is the solidity with which he combats the spinners. He plays in a very sub-continental style and is proficient in using his feet. His most piercing shot is the inside-out cover drive in which he takes a crossover step which opens him up and then he masterly transfers his body weight forward and hits the ball over extra-cover region with the spin. His quick foot movement allows him to adjust to bowlers trajectory and enables him to free his arms. 5. Brian Lara (West Indies): Brian Lara. (© Getty Images) The former West Indian skipper Brian Lara was a sheer genius on the 22 yards. Though he had a possession of a very unorthodox technique but yet he was easy on eye and destructive in style. Lara was very aggressive against spinners and plundered big runs at a time when Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan were at their peaks. He never shied away from using his feet and on most of the occasions he use to dance down the track and hit the spinners over their head or the in the mid-wicket area. And then as soon as the spinner under pressure delivered a short-ball, with his quick foot movement he use to go on the back foot and cut the ball hard. 6. Andy Flower (Zimbabwe): Andy Flower. (© Getty Images) The greatest Zimbabwe batter ever Andy Flower was epitomized as one of the best players against spin in his playing days. Flower was always excellent against pacers. But it was the sub-continent conditions which was his ultimate test. And Andy stood out when he amassed 540 runs against India in 2001. His feet movement was one of the finest against spin. He masterly negotiated the spin with his immaculate feet movements and didn’t shy away from playing unorthodox shots as well. Flower is considered as one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen and he ended his 63 match Test career with average of 51. 7. Steven Smith (Australia): Steve Smith. (© Getty Images) Steve Smith is the face of an unorthodox technique but yet it is his effectiveness which places him class apart from the rest. Smith who started as a leg-spinner himself has proved his mettle against spin. His trigger movement against spin is that he uses his nimble foot to the best and comes down the track to counter attack spinners which has paid him rich dividends in sub-continent conditions as well. His batting is reflection of Australian brand of cricket as he loves to dominate spin. Smith believes in unsettling spinners right from the onset. But the right-hander is vulnerable against moving deliveries which has got him exposed many a times. 8. Javed Miandad (Pakistan): Javed Miandad (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Pakistani great Javed Miandad scored 8,832 runs in 124 Tests at an average of 52.57 with 23 tons. Javed was known for his flair and dynamism. He has contributed immensely for Pakistani cricket. Apart from his dazzling technique against pacers he was particularly very severe on the spinners. Miandad had the habit of dominating the spinners right from the word go. His feet movement was paramount in his success against spin. Javed Miandad even use to defend the ball by taking a step forward and was quite a pro in getting to the length of the ball and hammering the spinners out of the park with his flawless and quick footwork. 9. VVS Laxman (India): VVS Laxman. (© Getty Images) The very-very special Laxman was a special talent and one of the understated heroes of the game. The Hyderabadi magician was particularly brilliant against spin. VVS played with the mind of the spinners. He would come down the track and with his supple wrists use to hit through mid-on and when bowler pitched it short in an instant he was on the back foot to play a commanding pull shot. Those who have seen him using his feet against spin and hitting through wide mid-on consider it as the most classical sight on the 22 yards. The way Laxman fared against the likes of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan was testimony of his greatness against spinners.