Pinch hitter (cricket)

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In cricket, pinch hitter is the usual term for a batsman (not a substitute, unlike in baseball) promoted up the batting order in order to score quick runs. As attempting to score runs quickly involves playing more aggressive shots and thus an increased likelihood of being dismissed, it is generally considered unwise for a top-order batsman to attempt this. Therefore, on the fall of a wicket, a lower-order batsman (such as a bowler) is sometimes promoted. There is less importance placed on his wicket, so he can play with more freedom. This is an important tactic in One Day International cricket, with its occurrence in Test cricket far less regular.

The term is of relatively recent origin in cricket, and was unfamiliar to many cricket followers before the 1996 World Cup. Sri Lanka employed a slightly different form of the tactic to considerable effect with Sanath Jayasuriya playing the pinch-hitting role. Although Jayasuriya was not actually promoted up the order — he had opened in ODIs a number of times before — he attacked the bowling fiercely. In three successive games, Jayasuriya scored 79 from 76 balls against India, 44 off 27 balls against Kenya and then 82 from 44 balls against England. Although he failed in the semi-final and final, his aggressive batting was seen as a significant factor in Sri Lanka's victory in the tournament.