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Shots & moves

Reverse Sweep

A cricket batting shot in which the batter reverses their hands to sweep the ball to the opposite side from a normal sweep.

Shots & moves

Definition

The reverse sweep is an unorthodox cricket stroke played mainly against slower and spin bowling. The batter drops into a sweep position but reverses the wrists and turns the bat face so the ball is deflected to the off side (for a right-hander) instead of the leg side — effectively hitting to the opposite side from a conventional sweep.

It is used to counter fielding placements and spin by opening up areas of the field that are usually protected. The shot carries risk because the batter plays across the line with an unusual grip, but skilled players use it, and its close relative the switch-hit, to manipulate the field and disrupt a bowler's plans.

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Content updated
2026-08-04

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