When defending the ball, if you defend it late with a 45° angle bat you may be able to get a single. Either running the ball the third man, dropping it towards point or square leg.
You want to watch you don’t push out with your hands too far and then try and bring it back which is quite common. That’s the area you may be a higher chance of hitting the ball to the keeper or slips.
Defending is one part of the game that can help other areas.
