Shivnarine Chanderpaul: The Crab-Like Anchor
Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s batting stance is arguably the most famous unorthodox technique in cricket history. Instead of the classic side-on position, the West Indian legend stood almost fully front-on, facing the bowler with his chest open and feet pointing
down the wicket. Described as "crab-like," this stance was developed in his youth to get a clearer, two-eyed view of hostile fast bowling. Just before the ball was delivered, he would execute a quick shuffle into a more conventional position, allowing him to play the ball late and with soft hands. While critics often labelled his style as ugly, its effectiveness is undeniable. Chanderpaul retired as one of the most prolific run-scorers in Test history, proving that substance can triumph over style.
Steve Smith: The Fidgety Modern Master
Watching Steve Smith at the crease is to witness controlled chaos. His constant fidgeting—touching his pads, helmet, and gloves—is matched by a highly unconventional technique. He employs an open stance, shuffles dramatically across his stumps, and has a backlift that goes towards the gully instead of straight back. By textbook standards, it should not work. Yet, these movements are precisely what make him a genius. The shuffle across the stumps disrupts a bowler's line and length, and by playing the ball incredibly late, he can manipulate the field with astonishing wrist work. Critics once dismissed his technique, but with a Test average that has hovered near 60 and over 9,000 runs to his name, Smith has rewritten the modern batting manual.
Kevin Pietersen: The Audacious Innovator
Kevin Pietersen didn't just have an unorthodox style; he invented unorthodox shots that changed the game. The English batsman was a master of innovation, known for his "Flamingo" shot and, most famously, the "switch-hit." The Flamingo was a whip off his front leg while off-balance, sending balls from outside the off-stump careening over the mid-wicket boundary. The switch-hit was even more audacious: a shot where he would change his grip and stance from a right-hander to a left-hander just as the bowler delivered the ball. This manoeuvre, which he used to hit spinners for six over the off-side, was so revolutionary that the MCC had to convene to rule on its legality. Pietersen’s batting was a statement of intent, proving that creativity and audacity could be devastating weapons.
Fawad Alam: The Square-On Enigma
Pakistani batsman Fawad Alam brought a stance to the international stage that left bowlers and pundits completely perplexed. Similar to Chanderpaul but with his own unique twist, Alam would stand almost completely square-on, his body facing the bowler before a dramatic pivot as the ball was released. His exaggerated, open-chested setup was so pronounced it looked like he was preparing to play a different sport altogether. Yet, this method allowed him to be a prolific run-scorer, particularly in domestic cricket, and he enjoyed a successful comeback to the Test side. Alam never paid much attention to the critics of his style, sticking with the technique that brought him success and cementing his place as one of cricket’s true originals.
George Bailey: The Back-to-Front Provocateur
If you thought front-on stances were strange, former Australian captain George Bailey took it a step further. For a period, Bailey adopted a stance where his back was almost turned to the bowler, with his body facing the wicket-keeper or slip cordon. It was a bizarre sight that often had opposition players laughing in disbelief. Bailey explained that the extreme setup was designed to ensure his back foot remained side-on, a key component for him to generate power. As the bowler approached, he would pivot back into a more orthodox hitting position. Though he didn't use it for his entire career, Bailey’s back-to-front stance remains one of the most eccentric and memorable techniques ever seen on a cricket field.
