Presence at the crease

[BoyBrumby]

There's an interesting exert in today's Independent from Micky "Dad of Alec" Stewart's new book in which he recalls England's memorable win in the first test of our 1989/90 Windies tour, our first over the men from the caribbean in 16 years.

There's a quote about Robin Smith, the pugnacious, Popeye-armed batsman who was one of the finest hookers and pullers of the ball I've seen:

A great dictator with the bat in his hands. But I used to give him stick. He was too unassuming, too humble. He never stood there with presence. The exact opposite of Viv Richards.

This set the old cogs turning; which batsmen have presence and which don't? Moreover, how does one define it?

Physically imposing chaps like IVA Richards (one could also add Hayden, Graeme Smith & Pietersen) have it, but equally I'd suggest the high backlift of BC Lara and the gimlet, gunslinger eyes of SR Waugh exude "presence" too.

[benchmark00]

Read the thread title and one name came to mind: Matthew Hayden.

[thierry henry]

The word is "aura". Richards clearly the undisputed champ of all time. When WI were involved in close games with Viv in the team they used to be declared the winner on the basis of Viv's aura. Look it up, it's a historical fact.

[grecian]

The word is "aura". Richards clearly the undisputed champ of all time. When WI were involved in close games with Viv in the team they used to be declared the winner on the basis of Viv's aura. Look it up, it's a historical fact.

FFS, let it go.

[thierry henry]

FFS, let it go.

I'll get back to you once I've consulted the opinions of journalists at the time

[benchmark00]

In my, albeit relatively lower level, experience, presence at the crease is a real thing and I think it's a result of a bowler feeling as though the batsman can belt him as soon as he strays just that little bit (if at all).

Viv could obviously take any attack apart so I can only imagine that all the fielders would have been on edge as soon as he came in.

From my experience you often find yourself not bowling to get the batsman out, but instead bowling just to not get flogged and hope you pick him up as you go.

A bloke like Ian Bell really had no presence at the crease when he faced McGrath etc. The Australians were all over him like a cheap suit and they could dictate terms. can't do that against Viv Richards though.

[Cabinet96]

Agree with Benchy. It's always harder to get your line and length right when you know you'll end up in the car park if you get it wrong.

[uvelocity]

presents at the crease

[Jono]

You don't have to be a huge hitter or dominating batsmen to have a presence to be fair. There is also a presence of "**** I can't get this **** out no matter what I do" which can be demoralising for the bowling team.

So sure, KP, Ponting, Viv are what one normally things of when considering 'aura' or 'presence', but I honestly believe Dravid in his pomp, and probably Sanga too, have had a presence at the crease which has been advantageous for them as batsmen.

[Hurricane]

Dean Jones in ODIs. Had a swagger about him and was good enough to justify it.

[NasserFan207]

Couldn't you also just call this 'charisma'?

I believe bowlers can have this as well. Warne the obvious example.

[Jono]

Couldn't you also just call this 'charisma'?

I believe bowlers can have this as well. Warne the obvious example.

Nah not really, unless you think Ponting and Tendulkar (in his pomp) are especially charismatic? Viv, KP, Warne... yeah. But when Ponting came out to bat he had an aura. When Ambrose came on to bowl, he had an aura. But they aren't what I'd traditionally describe as charismatic.

[Mike5181]

Tendulkar, Ponting, Waugh and Lara are the batsmen that come to mind when talking about presence at the crease.

[Flem274*]

Tbh not many current batsmen spring to mind because Steyn out-presences them all.

Even looks like he wants to kill someone when he's batting.

I'll go with Kallis because he is impossible to remove and Sangakkara because he's batting like a king atm. Sehwag would be in here except he's lost some of his mojo away from home, and Gayle is only just back in internationals.

[NasserFan207]

Nah not really, unless you think Ponting and Tendulkar (in his pomp) are especially charismatic? Viv, KP, Warne... yeah. But when Ponting came out to bat he had an aura. When Ambrose came on to bowl, he had an aura. But they aren't what I'd traditionally describe as charismatic.

As Batsmen yeah I'd call Tendulkar and Ponting charismatic. Particularly Tendulkar, he's not revered as God by a billion people just because he scores lots of runs

Alec Stewart was also a batsmen with swagger and had his own style at the crease