Late Cut
Also known as: late cut, fine cut
The late cut is a delicate batting stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump, using soft wrists to deflect the ball very fine to third man after it has almost passed the batter.
The shot is played as late as possible — the batter waits for the ball to travel past the body, then at the last moment opens the blade and steers it behind the wicket on the off side, between slip and third man. Because it uses the pace of the ball and needs minimal force, it is a precision shot that rewards good hand-eye coordination and timing. It is distinct from the square cut, which is played much earlier and harder.
Example
The batter lets the short, wide ball come right alongside the body, opens the bat face at the final moment, and glides it to third man for four.
Why it matters
Mastering the late cut extends a batter's scoring range behind the wicket. SwingVantage's cricket analysis (in development) will track wrist angle and contact timing to help batters develop this precision touch.
Related terms
- Square CutThe square cut is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump, slashing it square on the off side toward point.
- GlideThe glide is a delicate deflection played to a full or good-length ball outside off stump, using an open bat face to steer the ball fine on the off side between slip and third man.
- Back-Foot PlayBack-foot play is batting in which the batter moves the weight back and onto the rear foot to play short-pitched or rising deliveries, creating time by moving away from the pitch of the ball.
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.