long handle

English

Noun

the long handle

1. (cricket) Forceful batsmanship.
   • 1883, Uppingham School Magazine, page 236:

     Lucas again well set, being ultimately secured in his anxiety to give them the long handle, having played perfect cricket for his century.

   • 1889, Allan Gibson Steel, Robert Henry Lyttelton (Hon.), Cricket (page 77)

     You may leave your ground even to fast bowling on slow wickets if you think you can bring off a hit by so doing, and generally hold the bat nearer the top and give her the long handle.

   • 1999, S. S. Perera, S. Muthiah, The Janashakthi Book of Sri Lanka Cricket, 1832-1996, page 300:

     Tissera played two fine innings, of 53 and 17 not out and P. I. Peiris (30) wielded the long handle.