A power ramp shot in cricket is a modern day technique of hitting a lofted shot in the fine leg region. The ramp shot, also known as the scoop shot, was popularized by Doug Marillier.
The technique of playing a ramp shot depends on the precision of the batter in angling the bat at a time when the pace of the incoming ball is completely utilizes. The shot is usually played when the bowler bowls in a line that is outside the off stump. The safest time to play the shot is when the fine leg is inside the 30-yard circle.
The ramp shot has gained prominence with the rise of T20 cricket. When bowlers bowl in the death overs, they often aim for a line that is outside the off stump (but not beyond the wide line) which makes it difficult for the batters to reach. Since the line is outside the off stump, the field positioning is stacked on the off-side than the leg-side. In order to overcome this, batters began countering by playing the ramp shot.
To play the ramp shot, a batter positions himself in line of the ball. The batter then swoops the bat in an upward and backwards motion, with the latter being towards the leg-side. This conventional technique utilizes the pace of the ball and doesn’t quite have a complete follow-through.
A power ramp shot is similar to the classic ramp shot, only that the powered shot involves the batter swinging the bat to complete a follow-through rather than simply swooping it upwards. In a power ramp shot, the batter may also come down the track to pick the ball early. This shot is executed in medium pace bowlers and at times in spinners as their deliveries do not generate as much pace.
A power ramp shot is a skillful technique which requires immense practice to master and is a handy shot to execute for finishers.
