Lower order
A lower order (colloquially the tail) is a playing sequence for hitting the bottom (last) order. In this case, the bottom order is intended for batsmen who batter from the 9-11 position. As a rule, we are talking about non-core players with average or poor hitting skills. They are called tailenders (tail ender or tail-ender) in professional circles.
The order of striking is established before the match starts but can be changed during the game. This decision is based on various factors: the position of the cricketer, his skills and motivation, team interaction or tactical experience (defensive or attacking plan).
The players from lower order are usually bowlers, rarely wicket-keepers. Given the consistency, finishing blows may be left to players with insufficient playing time or even debutants. As practice shows, even in such inconspicuous positions, it is possible to start a cricket career. Steve Smith (going from position 7 to 4/3) and Ashton Agar (going from 11 to 7 in first-class) are prime examples of this.
However, several bowlers have established themselves precisely as inferior players. Position 8 players are especially prized, as many teams feel a lack of reliable all-rounders such as Wasim Akram or Jason Holder (both of which have two hundred in Test).
Likewise, some cricketers can and will go down in order. An unsuccessful season, associated with a loss of playfulness or mental problems, have often became the reasons for the drop. As an example, we can mention Moeen Ali, who dropped from the 3rd position to 7/8. Ali’s good performance at the Ashes series 2015 brought him back to the top positions.
Thus, players’ placement in the lower order should not be associated with their skill score. In addition, ODI and Twenty20 matches require cricketers to make decisions quickly, which greatly affects the match’s outcome. In this regard, each member of the line-up is important.
This does not exclude the generally accepted practice of the coaching staff giving cricketers one last chance to prove themselves in lower positions. These players are likely be dropped soon. However, surprises also happen: since their expectations are rather low, any success of such bowlers does not go unnoticed.
Sometimes the scores scored by representatives of the lower order are critical. In a situation when the battering team is far behind on points from the opponent, all hopes are pinned on the “tail” players who can save the game. An example is the 2009 Ashes series, where the last-order English bowlers James Anderson and Monty Panesar stole the Australian team of victory in the final minutes of the meeting.
Also, the players in the last position (11) are often called as “Last Man Jack”. The term turned out to be so apt that it is used in everyday life today. This is because the cricket order is organized like a deck of cards, where Jack must follow the numbers 9 and 10.
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