Nifty Footwork?

It was one of those strange coincidences.  A colleague sought guidance today from Fantasy Bob as to whether the word nifty still occupies a proper place in the English language.  

FB confidently asserted that it did, although the only usages that he could bring to mind was of nifty footwork whether applied to Bill Bailey on Strictly Dancing, Marcus Rashford in the penalty box (or in communication with Government Ministers) or, and here is the coincidence, a batsman at the crease.

For FB as the question was put, had been contemplating the reports of Steve Smith's footwork during the final day of the recent Test Match with India.  He was idly wondering to himself whether Smith's alleged attempt to erase Risbah Pant's guard was an instance of nifty footwork.  'Nifty?  No!!' screamed the Twitterati, 'SHIFTY!?!' You bet!'

Aussie skipper Tim Paine defended Smith from the allegation that he had been trying to put one over on Pant.  He said it was just one of Steve Smith's mannerisms to always be mentally at the crease.  He is known for his addiction to shadow batting, the tap tap of his bat on his bedroom floor echoing round the team's hotel long into the night.  Paine suggested that even when he was not actually batting, Smith frequently stood at the crease, and he often went through some of his rituals including marking his guard.  So his action was nothing untoward.  

In any case, Pant came back from his drinks break and promptly took a fresh guard from the umpire, as many players do after such interruptions in play.   So FB is unpersuaded that there is fuss to be had here. 

But lots of fuss applies to the rituals of taking guard. Fantasy Bob discussed guard taking rituals a long time ago and how they don't differ that much in the test arena and the lower reaches of the game that he inhabits. He noted that taking guard 'is a manifesto. It is a fashion statement. It is a declaration of intent. It is performance art.' 

For FB it is all these - it is the high point of his innings, when favourable comparisons with the greats can be made.  Viv Richards, David Gower, Ben Stokes never asked for 2 legs with the style and panache that FB can muster.  His footwork scraping his mark is as nifty as Tendulkar - it might even have a touch of the Kohli about it. It is only after this ritual has been played out that the reality dawns on those watching.  All too frequently, FB's holding his bat up for the umpire is the only use he makes of it.

To return to Risbah Pant,  his innings of 97 made a huge contribution to India's valiant effort in saving the match.  He had 3 sixes and a SR over 80.  Steve Smith or no Steve Smith - in anyone's language that's pretty nifty.