What is an Anchor in Cricket?

While watching a cricket match, you must have heard a commentator say, ‘The batter is anchoring the innings.’

Now that must have left you wondering what anchoring means in cricket.

Here, we’ll understand the meaning of an anchor in cricket.

Anchor in Cricket

An anchor is a role assigned to a batter. Now any batter can be an anchor depending on the match situation, but most of the time, it’s the top-order batters tasked with carrying the role.

But what exactly does anchoring mean?

The role of the anchor is to stabilise the team’s innings. Just like how big ships and boats use metal anchors to stop the vessel from straying into the water.

The anchors in cricket also rely on the same principle, ensuring their team doesn’t fall apart. They hold onto one end, while other batters play around them.

Suppose a team is struggling on the score of 20 runs with 4 wickets down. Now in this situation, one of the batters on the pitch needs to anchor the innings.

By this way, the batter can help the team reach a respectable total while scoring at a steady run rate. Plus, other incoming batters can rely on the anchor while going after big shots and pushing the run rate ahead.

Also Read | What Does ‘Carry the Bat’ Term Mean in Cricket?

The Importance of Anchors in Cricket

Going by the above example, the importance of anchors cannot be understated. When a batting team is in trouble, an anchor can turn out to be a saviour.

Their calm, composed approach, coupled with solid batting skills, can pull the team out of difficult situations.

But apart from that, the role of an anchor is important in long-form games, like Test and ODI matches. With considerable resources at hand, anchors can play a decisive role in Tests and ODIs. But when it comes to shorter formats, there is no need for an anchor, except when the team has lost 3-4 quick wickets.

The Responsibilities of Anchors in Cricket

An anchor has certain responsibilities on their shoulder. To begin with, one needs to hold onto the innings while scoring at a brisk rate.

They don’t take much risk while building a solid foundation for the upcoming batters. With their composed knock, an anchor prevents further loss of wickets, bringing stability to the innings.

In the meantime, they also forge strong partnerships with fellow batters while staying on the crease for a longer time.

Final Words

The role of an anchor requires a batter to be patient and take calculated risks while scoring runs. Their ability to stay longer on the crease can help them bag a big total.