The 'scoop shot' has been mastered by the likes of Dilshan,
AB DeVillers and many others but the batsmen who invented it, Douglas Marillier
said it was total accident. I recently
caught up with Douglas Marillier in Mumbai last month.
The Scoop shot
It was a match against New Zealand in 2000 and it was
totally accident. I was facing Chris Martin and the off side field was in the
circle so my plan was to back away and hit the ball through the offside. As I
backed away, Marto delivered a waist high full toss at my body, I don't know
what went through my mind it seemed like reflex action at a time, I moved
inside the line and paddled it over my head and towards fine leg for four. I
was surprised by it and so was my partner Gav Rennie at the time.
Did you practise it?
I would only practice it once I had completed batting in the
nets. I would get medium pacer's like Guy Whittal to bowl at my legs and
practise it a few times when the coach was not watching. I had confidence I could execute it in a
match.
Andy Flower was not
convinced you could execute it?
Not really, in fact Andy never thought I would execute it in
a game. I remember the game in Perth against the mighty Australians. We were
chasing 300 and we were on target but Grant Flower got out with us still
needing around 30 odd to win. Andy Flower came up to me and said "You have
to score runs of McGrath at the end if we are to win, Do you have any plans as
he will be bowling yorkers ?" I gave Andy a casual response "Don't
worry I will sweep him to fine leg".
Andy was seriously pissed off and just walked out of the dressing room. Marillier did stick to his word and played
two incredible paddle sweeps to deliveries that were perfect yorkers by Glen
McGrath.
What was Andy Flower
say after the match?
Well we did end up losing the game by only one run so it was
real disappointment for all of us. Andy pulled me over in the corner and said
"I thought you were joking but now I knew you can execute it - you have
just created a new shot, now master it.
You certainly did
master it and won Zimbabwe a match against India.
Yes, I mean you see a lot of modern day players playing it
because it is not a difficult shot to learn.
The game against India I was batting at 10 and Zaheer Khan had tendency
of bowling real accurate yorker's so I thought it was time to bring it out
again. Marilier managed to hit Zaheer for
21 off one over and 17 off the next. He executed four paddle sweeps to take
Zimbabwe to a remarkable win.
Your name will be associated
with that paddle shot.
At least I will be remembered for something in cricket. It
was not a conventional shot but sometimes it is the unusual stuff that captures
people’s mind.
Below is the link to Marillier amazing innings against India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BwE_49f2tA
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