Flick
Also known as: flick off the pads, wrist flick
The flick is an attacking wrist stroke played to a full ball on the leg side, using a strong wrist roll to whip the ball to the mid-wicket or square-leg area.
Unlike the delicate leg glance, the flick is a power stroke. The front foot strides forward or the back foot plants firmly, and as the full ball arrives on the legs or pads, the batter rolls the wrists over the ball with a sharp, punchy swing — sending it with pace to the leg side. The stroke is particularly associated with batters from the subcontinent who play on low, slow pitches where the ball comes on to the bat slowly. A well-executed flick is difficult for fielders to cut off because of the angle and pace it generates.
Example
The batter strides forward to a full delivery on the pads and flicks it powerfully through mid-wicket for four.
Why it matters
The flick converts leg-stump deliveries into attacking scoring opportunities. SwingVantage's cricket analysis (in development) will assess wrist rotation and weight transfer to develop this high-value stroke.
Related terms
- GlanceThe glance (or leg glance) is a wristy deflection played to a ball on the leg side, angling the bat face to direct the ball fine to leg without force.
- On DriveThe on drive is a classical front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on middle or leg stump, sending the ball through the mid-on region on the leg side.
- Weight TransferWeight transfer in batting is the movement of the batter's bodyweight from back foot to front foot (or vice versa) as the stroke is executed, generating power and setting up correct balance through impact.
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