This is part 2 of a 2 part series by Gary Palmer on batting against left arm swing bowling. To go to part 1 click here.

If you can’t play the on drive well you will struggle against left arm over bowlers so go away and work on that shot from the left arm over angle of feed.

In particular, technical points to look for are:

1. Open stance

Align yourself up to the angle that the ball is arriving:

2. Wider backlift

Pick the bat up over off stump or 1st slip area, rather than over middle stump.

3. Stepping out to drive

Lean towards the ball with head more rather than shoulder. Take a shorter stride on middle and leg stump line.

4. Foot position

Point front foot and most importantly back foot up the wicket when driving straight and through mid on. The back foot must turn in before he makes contact with the ball and his heel should be off the ground.

You can see these three points in this picture:

I believe the on drive is the most important cricket shot to play well, if you can play this shot you have the ability to score all around the wicket and a wide v area, you are also less vulnerable against the swinging, seaming and turning delivery.

You will be much more balanced and aligned and therefore more difficult to get out.

For video, worksheets and coaching drills to improve batting get Gary Palmer's online coaching course How To Play the Perfect On, Off and Straight Drive.