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[Silver Bullet]

More and more it seems like people completely mishit a ball, and it still goes for 6. In the World Cup, we literally saw players toe ending the ball into the crowd.

My question is. How the hell is that even possible ? Is it the bat they're using ? And if so, is it just because they're using low density clefts ? Or is it more that the modern player is weight training and this stronger such that even mishits go for 6.

Just curious, I've never had a bat where I could hit it completely off middle and have it comfortably sail over the boundary rope.

[skip1973]

45 metre boundaries have more to do with it than bats.

[Northern monkey]

If you look how small the boundaries are its easy to see how an edge can carry for six.
Nothing to do with low density clefts
More about fielders in close encouraging batters to hit over the top

[sarg]

You pretty much have all the answers and it is a combination of factors.
-Better strength and fitness training equates to greater bat speed in the swing.
- Technology and analysis has lead to bats having lighter pickups whilst maintaining larger edges and profiles that provide more wood for off centre shots.
-More 20/20 for top flight players leads to more practice of big shots and confidence to play them on marginal balls.
-Cricket administration and advertising requirements leads to two new balls per inns, short boundaries and greater field restrictions.

[Boondougal]

I think the answer is pretty much summed up already.
I do think one other factor is that the modern batsman is simply trying to hit everything harder. The payoff for trying to mash everything is that a mis hit will clear the inner ring of fielders and so there is a greater chance of not loosing your wicket.
Timing still plays a huge part but if you are simply trying to get bat on ball and swinging as hard as you can then even toe end mis hits will end up clearing the current boundaries.

[TangoWhiskey]

Bat speed.

[ProCricketer1982]

all of the above

players are stronger
wickets are better (they come on)
2 new balls used, meaning it goes flying
tiny boundaries
big bats
training (ie, they train range hitting so it's not as random as it probably was years ago)
fielding restrictions, so players are confident they can just throw the bat and even if they mis hit it, they probably won't be out (even if it doesn't go for 6 etc)

[edge]

I've done it plenty of times, not too unusual if it's a bowler with a little pace and the boundary's not too big. Square of the wicket shots particularly, which I think is where you see the pros getting away with it, the ball carries well enough if you've put your weight into the shot properly. Don't see it being too likely that you can toe it down the ground for 6 though.

[Nmcgee]

My miss hits never make it off the square 

[InternalTraining]

...
training (ie, they train range hitting so it's not as random as it probably was years ago)

@ProCricketer1982 , "range hitting"? You mean training to hit the ball a certain distance as in boundary ropes or over fielders' heads? Details please.

[darkh]

Strong Forearms,Strength and a bit of a bat i think plays a role in achieving that kinda distance.
P.S- My mishits always gets me out. 

[smilley792]

I've miss hit a fair few cover drives for six. Usually go very high and long over point to gully boundary.


It's all in the magical bat. Nothing to do with its 3lb weight, or how hard I try to hit it.

Buy a b3 and you too can mishit sixes......



@InternalTraining range hitting in our club is a few players on the long off to on boundary (or beyond) and the batsmen aiming to clear them. We have the space thankfully

[Northern monkey]

Range hitting for me is more pulling full tosses to the square leg boundary
Sort of a baseball shot

I've never miss hit a six,,, the smallest boundary I've played on, was 55 metres straight, and I could comfortably flat bat sixes for fun,,,but unfortunately for a local rule, all sixes were classed as deadballs from that end.

[InternalTraining]

@smilley792 , how long is that straight boundary? 70 yards?

[i12breakfree]

Confidence in your bat is key ...with my blank bat i know that i can take some risks. The ball just flies off ...already had couple of fielders with broken fingers trying to stop the proper hits.
Regrading Pros - its the amount of practice they do , they know that mishits can go for big
Big edges and thick toes will also help with mishit