5 Cricketers with weird batting stances

Cricket has seen several different batting positions throughout the years, some traditional and some completely out of the ordinary. Among these, a few batting positions have caught our attention because they are unconventional—even odd—but unexpectedly successful. Despite going against textbook conventions, these positions have captivated the interest of both specialists and enthusiasts.

These unconventional positions are intriguing because they exhibit uniqueness and creativity. They frequently defy conventional coaching thinking while still producing results, demonstrating that quirks are OK in cricket as long as they are effective. Every inning is now a visual extravaganza because of the addition of color to the game's already vibrant tapestry.

Here are 5 cricketers with weird batting stances:

1. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the first batter who comes to mind when people talk about weird batting stances. He stood out for his unorthodox, tradition-defying batting approach. His 'crab'-like pose, in which he held himself at a 90-degree angle, drew attention. Chanderpaul’s attitude was unfazed by the strange glance, and he concentrated on the bowler rather than the critics.

The weird stance worked for Chanderpaul as he amassed 11,867 runs in Test cricket at an average of 51.37 in 164 matches and 8,778 runs in ODIs with an average of 41.60 in 268 ODIs. He was named the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008. Chander Paul’s success was a tribute to recognizing individuality rather than merely focusing on numbers. Given his prominence in the game, he has always supported the West Indies squad during their difficult moments.

2. George Bailey

Former Australia captain and current chief selector George Bailey's stance was among the most aesthetically peculiar. He nearly faced square leg as he flipped his body side-on to the bowler. Although it didn't seem natural, it gave him a strong rotational platform for forceful stroke play.

Traditional shot-making seemed odd in this exaggerated side-on stance, but Bailey did a wonderful job of adapting it. His bat speed and balance made up for the strange placement. Bowlers found it difficult to locate reliable lines against his setup, and it confused them. He scored 3044 runs in 90 ODIs and 183 runs in five Tests for Australia. He also played 30 T20Is, scoring 473 runs for them.

3. Steve Smith

Steve Smith, the best Test batter of this generation, has been a key member of the Australian cricket squad and is much admired by cricket fans across the world for his batting style. Everyone is simply amazed by his batting stance routine and how many runs he has amassed over his career.

Smith describes his approach to the insanity, stating that he frequently positions himself outside the off-stump. This is a deliberate attempt to limit the ways bowlers can get him out, not a haphazard move. Whatever he does has worked for him, as Smith has 10,350 runs in 117 Tests with 36 centuries, 5,800 runs in 170 ODIs with 12 centuries, and 1,094 runs in 67 T20Is.

4. Fawad Alam

Pakistani batsman Fawad Alam has created one of the most distinctive and unconventional batting stances in contemporary cricket, frequently being compared to Shivnarine Chanderpaul's crab-like stance. Alam faces the bowler with his chest in a very open stance. His feet are spaced widely apart, giving him a solid foundation.

The face of the bat is directed toward the slips while it is hoisted aloft. He aligns himself with a small trigger movement just before the ball is delivered. He scored 1011 runs for Pakistan in Test matches thanks to this stance. In 212 FC games, he has amassed over 15,000 runs, including 44 hundreds. He won the 2009 T20 World Cup with Pakistan as well.

5. Lance Klusener

South African all-rounder Lance Klusener made a huge impact on his Test debut in 1996, taking 8/64 against India in Kolkata. However, what fans noticed was his weird batting stance. His distinctive stance—holding the bat high, almost parallel to his head, giving off a baseball vibe—was what made him stand out.

There were advantages and disadvantages to this unusual strategy. Klusener was able to deliver strong hits and score a lot of runs thanks to his towering backlift. Lance Klusener had a rigid, forward-facing stance that was nearly immobile. However, explosive power emerged from this stillness, particularly in the final overs. Instead of using traditional footwork, Klusener relied on timing and physical force.

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