How to Reverse Swing a Cricket Ball

In the game of cricket, once a ball gets older and worn out, it will get heavier on one side than the other due to wear and tear from hitting the ball. This imbalance of weight will cause the ball to turn in the opposite direction that it typically would on a swing in the air, throwing off the batsman.

Things You'll Need

  • Worn cricket ball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate a cricket ball that has one dull side and one shiny side in order to make this swing work correctly.

    • 2

      Hold the cricket ball with your fingers at the seam of the ball. Keep the shiny side on the right if you want the ball to move away from a right-handed baseman and the shiny side on the left if you want to move the ball in. Keep the seam as vertical and straight as you can.

    • 3

      Bend the wrist while holding the cricket ball downward so that the part of the ball that is closest to your body is positioned facing approximately 30 degrees downward.

    • 4

      Keep your head and hand at the shoulder at approximately a 50 to 60 degree angle. Your bowling hand should remain angled as you bowl and keep your hand as far away from your head as you can.

    • 5

      Pitch the ball up high and as fast as you can. The ball needs to be thrown at 80 miles an hour or so to make this swing work.

    • 6

      Follow through with the ball. Make sure that the ball goes between your body and the stumps (the vertical posts) when you follow through on this swing.