There's no single "safest" shot in cricket as the level of risk depends heavily on the situation and the player's skill. However, some shots are generally considered safer than others due to their lower risk of getting out.
Defensive Shots:
- The Leave: This is the ultimate safe shot, where the batsman simply lets the ball go without attempting to hit it. This is effective against deliveries that are not threatening the stumps or are outside the batsman's hitting range.
- The Defensive Block: This is a basic shot where the batsman keeps the bat close to his body and uses the face of the bat to deflect the ball away from the stumps. This is a reliable way to defend against deliveries that are aimed at the stumps.
- The Back Foot Defensive: This shot is used to defend against deliveries that are pitched short and bounce high. The batsman steps back onto his back foot and uses the bat face to push the ball away from the stumps.
Other Relatively Safe Shots:
- The Push: This shot is played with a straight bat and is used to score singles and twos. It is relatively safe as the batsman is not trying to hit the ball for boundaries.
- The Glide: This shot is played with a slightly open bat face and is used to score runs along the ground. It is safer than some other shots because the batsman is not trying to hit the ball over the fielders.
It's important to remember that even the safest shots can be risky in certain situations. The best way to minimize risk is to have a strong understanding of the game, good technique, and the ability to adapt to different situations.