Short of a length

Short of a length in cricket (back of a length, short of a good length) – the location of the cricket ball below the ideal length after it bounces off the field’s surface.

Here we see a component of the system that, when taken as a whole, determines the bounce duration, which looks like this:

• bouncer – a ball passing above the level of the batsman’s chest (usually past him);
• short pitched (short of a length in cricket) – rebound below the ideal level;
• good length – the best option, in which it is difficult for a player with a bat to decide on the support (front or back) of the leg;
• half-volley – bounce the ball close enough to the batsman so that he does not have to move too far;
• full toss (full length) – bounce as close to the batsman as possible.

Fans of seam bowling will find that the serve at this level reflects the highest possible degree of efficiency. On the other hand, the risk of the ball bouncing into the stomach of a player who is using a bat is not eliminated when the pitch is short.

It is generally agreed that Stephen Harmison and Glenn McGrath are two of the top players who are able to determine the level of the pitch.