[skp]

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Would a skilled batsman be able to defend his wicket indefinately if he is not trying to score runs? If so, I would think that a team chasing an unreachable target should be able to secure a draw every time. Couln't the batsman just deflect the ball into the ground on every ball until times up? (Is this really that hard to do wit

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In theory, yes...but in practice, it's difficult. Much like in other sports, a good offense is a good defense (and vice versa). It's like a hockey team foregoing offense to protect a one or two goal lead in the 3rd period. The move often backfires.

A batsman just playing defensive shots and not looking to score will eventually make a mistake. This is particularly so because the fielding side will know that he is not trying to score and will therefore crowd him with several close-in fielders ready to snare catches.

Just last year, I was watching a match with India vs. Pakistan. India started Day 5 needing 325 odd runs to win with all 10 wickets intract. In the session before lunch, they were playing normal cricket and it looked like they had a chance to win the match. Just before lunch, they lost a wicket. Inexplicably, after lunch, they decided that the target was unreachable and started defending balls and trying for the draw. I was screaming at the television..."no, no,no...you idiots ". Sure enough, the wickets started to tumble at regular intervals. Pakistan got the 10th wicket and the victory with about 6 overs to go in the match.