Swaying out of the line is one of several ways of tackling the short ball ©Getty
In Episode 3 of this new Cricbuzz series, "Name of the Game", we speak to one of Ranji Trophy's greatest run-scorers and Rajasthan Royals' batting coachAmol Muzumdar about the nuances of facing up to the short ball.
"The bouncer is a short and emphatic examination paper that you put to the batsman," was how former England quick and poet John Snow articulated a fast bowler's purest expression of intimidation.
Within the limited timeframe, a batsman's perception and reactions are tested at a level beyond visual processing. One error in judgement is all it takes to put oneself in grave peril. And so survival skills are passed on through generations to counter them, and involves individual parts that need to come together to counter the menacing foe that is the short ball.
The right headspace
"No batsman in the world would say that he loves bouncers," says