When one talks about batting precision, power and timing, the words ‘high back lift’ automatically
spring to the cricketing faithful’s mind. This with good reason as the higher the back lift, the better the timing and in turn the classier the shot. And especially when it’s for a southpaw, the entire episode looks even more pleasing on the eye.
Ask the likes of legends in Brian Charles Lara, Gary Kirsten, Saeed Anwar and our very own Saurav Ganguly and they will whole heartedly agree. Having said this, there are also batters who despite having a lower back lift, excel in stroke play and timing, making them rightful candidates deserving of a mention alongside these aforementioned cricketing stalwarts.
They might not be very pleasing on the eye but through their uncanny technique undoubtedly do pile up the runs. Think about a guy like Graeme Smith who for more than a decade was one of the strongest pillars of the South African batting.
This despite having a low back lift and being as unconventional as they come and one has his answer. Well, another player in a similar mould as the great South African captain is his neighbour, Sean Williams who in the last decade has perhaps been Zimbabwe’s best batter in the longest format, averaging 49.05 in Test Cricket with more than 1800 runs and six tons to his name in just 22 games.
While the number 22 might seem relatively modest in terms of the matches Williams has played over nearly two decades, it highlights the unfortunate reality of a game that is heavily tilted in favour of the Big Three—an undeniable truth as fundamental as the need for water to survive. Well, it is what it is and coming back to Sean, this southpaw is again a definitive example of a batter not having a high backlift but scoring oodles of runs, purely through his technique and intent to perform in all conditions.
It’s not only his low back lift that has helped him mount the runs but also his adeptness at playing spin and his unconventional reverse sweep that’s been one of the focal points in giving bowlers headaches aplenty.
Reverse sweeps and Zimbabwe perhaps have some karmic connection, if we take our memories back to legends like Dave Houghton and Andy Flower who were also equally gifted in playing this rather unconventional shot.
Ask the likes of England and South Africa recently and they will more than agree as Williams scored a beautiful 88 and 137 respectively, giving the Bazball aficionados and World Test Champions nightmares aplenty.
If these feats weren’t praise worthy enough, Williams soared again to becoming the only batter to put up a fight in the just concluded second Test against South Africa which again unfortunately went south for the hosts.
The left-hander put up a valiant effort in the first innings in pursuit of a mammoth total of 626, notching up an indomitable 83 not out of just 55 balls when his compatriots couldn’t muster anything beyond 25 runs individually.
Truly what dreams are made of if one were to reckon!
And these dreams only become more delightful when one digs into the highest Test averages for batters since 2020 with a minimum threshold of 1000 runs, with the man leading the charts again being Sean Williams.
Before the second Test against the Proteas, the Chevrons’ superstar had played 11 matches since 2020, amassing 1,228 runs at a remarkable average of 68.22 and an impressive strike rate of 66.55. His record included five centuries and four half-centuries. So inspiring are these records that he has put greats like Kane Williamson and Joe Root to positions lower than him in a list that boasts some rather fine talent.
With such intent and commitment to perform for his nation, Sean is undoubtedly a batting masterclass for Zimbabwe and one would hope to see him soar even further despite now being in his late 30s. Given his current form, age seems nothing but a number for Williams. With Zimbabwe gearing up for a full Test series against New Zealand and Afghanistan ahead, the stage is only set to get bigger for him to shine.
The only question: Can Williams seize the moment and make the most of the Zimbabwean winter sun while it’s shining?
Well, if one is a die-hard Chevrons faithful, the answer unquestionably should be an astounding YES.
