Inside Edge Past the Stumps (French Cut)
Also known as: chinese cut, french cut, harrow drive, inside edge past leg stump, inside edge past the stumps, edge past leg stump
A Chinese cut, also called a French cut or Harrow drive, is an accidental inside edge that sneaks past the stumps. The batter aims a drive or cut through the off side. Instead, the ball clips the inside of the bat, misses the stumps and runs away towards fine leg.
The shot is never planned. The batter goes for an off-side shot and the ball comes back in, or the bat comes across the line. The ball hits the inside edge and deflects behind. It flies past leg stump, often very close, and runs to the fine leg area.
The names are slang. It was long called a Chinese cut, but many players and commentators now prefer French cut or Harrow drive. Whatever you call it, the runs count like any other runs off the bat.
A Chinese cut is a warning sign. It often means the bat is coming across the line, or the batter is driving at balls too close to the body. Seam and swing into the right-hander make it more likely. If you get one, the next ball like it might hit the stumps. Check your bat path and play straighter.
Tips by skill level
If you keep getting inside edges, practise driving straight back past the bowler before you aim square.
Film your drives from front-on. If the bat swings from off to leg across your body, work on a straighter downswing.
Example
The batter drives at a ball that seams back in. It clips the inside edge, misses leg stump by a whisker and runs down to fine leg for four.
Why it matters
Knowing why an inside edge happens helps you fix the bat path before the same ball bowls you.
Common mistakes
- Treating the runs as a good shot and not fixing the bat path
- Driving at balls too close to the body
- Letting the bat come across the line on off-side drives
Frequently asked questions
What is a Chinese cut in cricket?
It is an inside edge that just misses the stumps and runs away to fine leg. It is accidental, so it is also called a French cut or Harrow drive.
Why do I keep getting inside edges?
Usually the bat is coming across the line or you are driving at balls too close to you. Balls moving back in make it worse. Play straighter and closer to your body.
Related terms
- Edges: Inside, Outside, Thick and LeadingAn edge is when the ball hits the side of the bat instead of the face. An outside edge flies towards the keeper and slips. An inside edge deflects towards your pad, stumps or fine leg. A thick edge takes a lot of the edge and a thin or feather edge barely touches it. A leading edge balloons up off the front edge.
- Straight BatPlaying with a straight bat means swinging the bat vertically, in line with the ball's path. It is the safest, most orthodox way to defend and drive full or good-length balls.
- Bowled Through the GateBeing bowled through the gate means the ball passes through the gap between your bat and front pad and hits the stumps. It usually comes from a stride wide of the line, a bat coming down across the pad or reaching for the ball. Keep your bat close to your front pad and let the ball come to you.
- In-SwingIn-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from off to leg (in towards the body of a right-handed batter), often targeting the stumps or pads.
- Cover DriveThe cover drive is an elegant front-foot stroke that sends a full ball outside off stump through cover, between point and mid-off.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.