Reverse Sweep
with reversed hands.
Technical Breakdown
19-section schemaDefinition
A played with the hands reversed, hitting the ball through what would normally be or backward (Mike Gatting 1987, Ben Stokes, Glenn Maxwell).
Etymology
The '' is a played with the reversed; Mushtaq Mohammad is widely credited with pioneering it in the 1970s.
History
Mushtaq Mohammad played it in the 1970s; Mike Gatting's 1987 World Cup final dismissal briefly stigmatised it before it re-entered the mainstream.
Difficulty Level
Advanced — high-skill ceiling, requires drilled repetition and biomechanical screening before match use.
Biomechanics
Top hand becomes bottom hand mid-shot; face of the bat opens to the off side.
Tactical Use
Breaks the spinner's off-side field; particularly effective when only one fielder is on the off-side .
Common Mistakes & Drills
Losing hand control mid-rotation — drill on a tee before live bowling.
Famous Players
Drills → real performancesGlenn Maxwell
2012–presentPower-hitting all-rounder (Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Power-hitting for Australia, 2012–present). Best known for: 201* vs Afghanistan, 2023 WC. His 201* vs Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup is the highest individual score in a chase — played most of it on one leg with cramp.
Mike Gatting
1977–1995Middle-order batter (England)
Mike Gatting — Middle-order batter for England, active 1977–1995.
Ben Stokes
2011–presentAll-rounder (England, captain)
Ben Stokes ( for England, captain, 2011–present). Best known for: Headingley 2019, . Headingley 2019: chased 359 vs Australia with an unbeaten 135, scoring the last 74 with Jack Leach — a masterclass in pacing a chase.