Wham-bam thank you Baz

Wham-bam thank you Baz
by @MikeHaysman



Immediately after Brendon McCullum's breathtaking feat of the fastest test century at his home patch in Christchurch, one of SuperSport's mates tweeted the following:

@TomMoodyCricket: The greatest challenge a batsman has as his career unfolds is to retain that youthful fearless approach, McCullum owned that NO FEAR style!

Therein lies the success of the audacious and devastating style of Baz as he stayed true to himself throughout his sterling career.

Cricket is the most technical game of all. So many components of skill need to be perfectly aligned to constantly achieve success in the batting or bowling department. Those are the physical mechanics of the game but the most important attribute for the elite players is the strength of mind.

As a 17 year old I was playing in a representative team captained by Ian Chappell. He gave me some sage advice that all players should remember. Chappelli said: "Haze, cricket is a very simple game if you keep it simple." I wish I had played my career with that soundbite firmly implanted in my mind.

That is where Baz has got it so right, and believe me, he is one of very few to do so. He is a naturally aggressive player who has zero fear of failure. He is savage in his assaults, is not bogged down by technical demands, and has astounding self-belief.

As Tom Moody alluded, a batsman's modus operandi alters substantially as he progresses, to the extent, in fact, where a normally attacking free-flowing player in his burgeoning years can end up being enormously successful in a completely different mode as he matures. Steve Waugh is a perfect case in point and Australia can be thankful that he changed his game completely to become the dig-in, determined rock he was.

Confidence is a massive word in an international batsman's world. If a player's confidence is low, tinkering with technique can become an obsession, and a downfall.

Batting grips can change. Bat weights can be experimented with. Trigger movements can be introduced at varying levels of commitment. Bat handles can be made thinner or thicker. Decisions are made whether to bat with the bat on the ground or held high upon the bowler's release.

Bat blades can be manufactured slightly longer. Bats can be made thicker. Stances can be closed or made more open when facing the bowler. Taking guard alters. The variables that can be tinkered with are crazy ... and don't get me started with superstitions.

Any elite batsman will tell you that this game has the ability to mess with your head to the extent that you can complicate things considerably if you don't have your wits about you.

How Brendon McCullum has managed to safely navigate all those pitfalls over the years and continue with his clean and simplistic style is quite remarkable. He would have had times of despair and introspection when form and continuity deserted him. His clarity of mind obviously enabled him to forge ahead while ignoring obstacles and come out on the other side unscathed and still fresh.

Baz has been a breath of fresh air. In today's frenetic and complex world that is a precious commodity.

Wonderful article; thanks for sharing! Baz was a decent player in his initial days but later he really became a good and fearless player. Still remember his blitzkrieg in the very first match of the IPL; since then he became one of favourite players. Looking forward to seeing him more in the IPL.