Cricket Bowling Skills

In the game of cricket, perfecting the skill of bowling is vital to winning the game. Two main types of bowler exist: the fast paced seam bowler and the slower spin bowler. Both types of bowlers have their way of bowling the ball and achieving movement in the air or from the bounce. The ultimate aim is to get the batsman out and prevent her from scoring any runs.

  1. Bowling Action

    • Bowling in the game of cricket is a five phase process that starts with the run up. The bowler starts with short steps and builds to longer strides as he approaches the bowling area known as the crease. Arms are kept at the sides and the head remains still and pointed toward the target. The next phase is known as the bound, when the bowler assumes the bowling release stance. Phase three is called the coil when the bowler plants his feet and brings the arms up and toward the chest, ready to enter the release phase. The non-ball-holding arm should be pointing at the target while the bowling arm rotates forward, releasing the ball. The last phase is the follow through, which comes after the ball is released. Bowlers have to make sure they do not run down the middle of the pitch during this phase.

    Grips

    • The basic grip used by all bowlers is designed to keep the wrist directly behind the ball during the bowl. The thumb and third finger are beneath the ball while the middle and pointer fingers are placed either side of the stitched seam. The seam should be pointing straight up and the aim is to land the ball directly on the seam once it has been bowled. To achieve movement in the air, the bowler may place the middle or pointer finger on the seam itself during release, bowling the ball at an angle.

    Bowling Release Stance

    • During the bound phase of bowling, the bowler chooses one of two stances. The first is the side on, which has the shoulders square on to the batsman and the head looking over the shoulder of the non-bowling arm. This is the most favored stance and most commonly taught by coaches. The second is the front on, which has the bowler facing chest forward toward the batter and the head pointing forward as well.

    Length

    • The bowler tries to get the ball to impact the ground in a particular area where there are five possible length targets. Around half way between the bowler and batter is the long hop, or bouncer area, which has the ball high in the air by the time it reaches the batsman up to stomach or chest height. Next are the short of a length and good length areas, which bring the ball close to leg height. Full length has the ball bouncing near the lower leg and shin area and a full toss has the ball right at the batter's feet. Bowlers tend to vary where they land the ball to try to catch the batter out.