Cricket Bowling Techniques

In cricket, the bowler is similar to the pitcher in baseball. As the batter tries to hit the ball and score runs, the bowler either attempts to pitch around the batter and prevent scores or goes directly after the batter. If a bowler hits the wicket and one of the bales dislodges, the batter is dismissed (or out). However if the bowler goes after the batter and attempts to hit the wicket, he gives the batter better access to the ball. Thus, bowlers often strike a steady balance between offensive and defensive bowling.

  1. Grips

    • The bowler's grip depends on what bowling technique she uses. Basic bowling technique requires you to place the seam between your middle and index fingers with your thumb holding the ball on the bottom over the seam and your ring finger offering light support to the side of the ball. For the leg spinner technique, grip the ball with your middle and index fingers spread slightly apart and across the seam. Place your thumb gently against the ball next to your index finger. The "wrong 'un" technique also uses this grip.

      The flipper technique grip is similar to the leg spinner grip except your fingers reach toward the front of the ball, about a half-inch over the seam, and your thumb tip applies moderate pressure to the ball.

      The zooter technique requires a grip in which the ball rests in the palm of your hand. Steady the ball with your thumb on one side and your pinkie and ring finger on the other. Wrap your middle and index fingers over the ball and spread them in a "v" shape. Note that your fingers will cross the seam with the zooter technique.

    Spin Techniques

    • Once you have your appropriate grip and go into your coil and stride (the equivalent of a wind-up in baseball), you must vary your delivery depending on the technique you use. The leg spinner technique requires you to add slight spin to the ball (roughly a 30-degree twist) as you release it. If you use the flipper technique, your delivery should remain calm as you squeeze the ball from your fingertips. According to Live India, this technique will give the ball underspin. The wrong 'un delivery uses a wrist snap that causes the ball to off-spin from your hand. As the ball leaves your hand, hit it it again with your fingers to redirect the spin on route to the batter. Unlike the other techniques, the zooter requires as little spin as possible. To accomplish this, use your palm to push the ball similar to a shot put release.

    Pace Bowler Techniques

    • Like a fastball pitcher in baseball, pace bowlers use speed to attack the batter rather than directional trickery and spins to fool the batter. The pace bowler relies on many techniques such as the out-swinger and the in-swinger. In-swinger and out-swinger techniques use the basic grip. During the the in-swinger delivery, the bowler points the seams inward toward the batter. The result is that ball moves in on the batter. For the out-swinger technique, the bowler points away from the batter towards the slip fielders. Out-swinger delivery causes the ball to move away from the batter. Additional pace bowling deliveries include the leg-cutter (another technique that causes the ball to move away from the batter) and the off-cutter (a technique that causes the ball to move toward the batter).

    Bowling Lengths

    • Bowlers may also vary the length of their bowls as a strategy. In the yorker length, the ball stays in the air and drops at a regular pace until it hits the bat near the ground. Similarly, the full toss doesn't bounce, but rather hits the bat squarely in the middle. Bouncing lengths include the long hop (the ball bounces toward the batter in the middle of the throw) and the half volley (the ball hits the bat right after the bounce).