The pinch-hitter does not work

T20 cricket is all the rage at the moment and there is a lot of talk again about the role of a pinch-hitter in the game.

My position - THE PINCH HITTER DOES NOT WORK - irrespective of what version of the game you play.

On the odd occasion a pinch hitter comes off its more a case of luck than a well planned strategy. The best 1 day innings (Think Herschelle Gibbs chasing down 400+ at the Wanderers against the Aussies) are because a real batter gets his eye and uses his natural talent to flay bowlers left right and centre.

But a pinch hitter that comes in and scores 12 off 12 balls - has NOT done anything good for the side. Instead if a Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds had come in and used those 12 balls to get his eye in before blasting 100 off 80 balls.

Let your batters do the job they're supposed to do and leave the bowlers fresh to do what they are supposed to be doing.