How to Swing a Cricket Ball? – Types & Variations of Swing Bowling Explained

When you watch cricket, especially Test matches, you must have seen bowlers swinging the ball in the air. And not just in one direction but in both directions.

Besides, swinging a cricket ball is an art, and very few bowlers can master it well. Players like Wasim Akram, James Anderson, and Dale Steyn are some of the best swing bowlers.

But have you wondered how they do it? In this article, I will explain how to swing the ball and its different variations.

What is Swing Bowling in Cricket?

Before we dig deeper, let’s first understand the basics of swing bowling.

Swing bowling in cricket means the ball moves laterally through the air after the bowler releases the ball. 

Now every bowler can’t bowl such deliveries. I mean, a spin bowler can’t swing the ball. Only a fast bowler can swing the ball, as it requires a bit more speed.

Moreover, swing bowling is one of the weapons pacers use against batters. They use it to deceive the batter and make them play the wrong shot to get their wickets.

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to understand the importance of maintaining the ball.

Maintaining the Condition of the Ball for Swing Bowling

You must have seen players rubbing the ball on their pants during the match. But do you know the reason behind it?

Well, the reason is simple. If you want the ball to swing, then one side of the ball needs to be shiny while the other side has to be rough. 

To keep one side shiny, players use sweat to polish it and rub the new cricket ball on their pants. And they keep the other side unpolished.

The ball then tends to move in the air towards the rough side and away from the shiny side.

And if you don’t know how to shine a ball correctly, then read our comprehensive guide on shining the cricket ball.

Read Here: Why Do Cricketers Shine the Ball? And How to Do it Correctly?

Types of Swing Bowling

There are three main types of swing bowling — in swing, out swing, and reverse swing.

In Swing

The in-swing refers to the movement of the ball towards the batter in the air.

If the batter fails to predict the ball’s trajectory, it will either hit the wickets or the pads of the batter. The latter might as well result in LBW dismissal.

Also Read: Cricket Pads Decoded: What Are They Made of?

How to Bowl In Swing Delivery? (Right-Handed Batter)

• Hold the ball’s seam in an upright position, pointing towards the fine leg
• Keep the shiny side facing towards the offside
• As the cricket ball moves through the air, the seam should remain vertical and angled
• The ball will then swing towards the batter from off-side to leg-side

Out Swing

The outswing is the exact opposite of the in-swing. The outswing causes the ball to move away from the batter in the air.

If the batter couldn’t resist the urge to hit the ball, there is a high chance of them edging it towards the wicketkeeper or slip fielder.

How to Bowl Out Swing Delivery? (Right-Handed Batter)

• Hold the ball’s seam in the upright position, pointing towards the third man
• The shiny side should be facing towards the leg-side
• As the cricket ball moves through the air, the seam should remain vertical and angled
• The ball will then swing away from the batter from leg-side to off-side

Reverse Swing

The bowler can reverse-swing the ball as it gets older, rougher, and less shiny on one side. A reverse swing is a way to fool the batter on the crease.

How is that possible? Well, if you want to bowl a reverse swing delivery, then hold the ball like you will bowl an outswinger. The ball, instead of moving away, will move towards the right-handed batter, leaving them confused.

To reverse swing a ball effectively, you need to increase your bowling speed. You should be able to bowl at a speed of 140 kph.

Also Read | Who Invented Reverse Swing Bowling in Cricket?

How to Bowl a Reverse Swing Delivery? (Right-Handed Batter)

• One side of the ball should be shiny, while the other side should be dry and scuffed
• Hold the ball’s seam in the upright position, pointing towards the third man
• The shiny side should be facing towards the leg-side
• Increase your bowling speed so that the ball moves toward the shiny side

Watch – the Maestro at work!
Reverse Swing with the old white ball has disappeared from the game!
An integral part to restore to balance, given two new balls at either end!#Cricketpic.twitter.com/oikgecwy9J

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) May 17, 2021

Conclusion

Swing bowling is a captivating skill that can add a touch of magic to the game of cricket. By understanding the different types of swing and practicing the correct techniques, bowlers can master this art and become a formidable force on the field. 

So embrace the challenge, experiment around it, and unlock the secrets of swing bowling.

Read Next: How is a Cricket Ball Made? Step-by-Step Process