How to play a reverse swing?

A reverse swing is a tricky delivery so it’s better to play it tactfully. The batsman should focus on the pitch of the ball and avoid playing it straight. As the reverse swing most probably turns out after bounce so the batsman should be aware of the fact that he might get caught in slip if he does not play it straight. The best possible way to play a reverse swing is to play the delivery diagonally. For that matter, the batsman has to keep his bat at a 45 degree angle before the ball touches it. Avoid raising the bat to much high in the air as there is a chance that you may lose your wicket by offering the fielder to catch it. Another technique which can be applied in this regard is that a batsman should hit the ball quite hard so that it can fetch some runs on the board.

Reverse swing bowling makes a fast bowler or a pace attacker complete. If one looks at the Cricket Records, it is clear that Pakistan, West Indies and Australia Cricket teams have produced most successful bowling line ups. Most of these bowlers had good command on reverse swing. However, Pakistani bowlers are considered the masters of this art, as reverse swing was introduced in Cricket by Pakistani pace attackers.

How to play a reverse sweep?

Although it is rarely uses, a reverse sweep is a shot that can be helpful in ticking the score board by making runs. For that matter the judgement of the batsman should be good and he should be able read the line and length of the ball effectively. Reverse sweep is usually played on slower balls usually on spin bowling and any misjudgement can lead to fall of wicket which can either be Leg Before Wicket (LBW) or bowled out. To play a  sweep shot, the front foot should be moved as far down the wicket as much as possible while bending both the knees in unison. Furthermore, the back knee should touch the ground to provide a strong support to the overall posture of the batsman. Then the bat should be brought down from the offside and hit the ball towards the leg side. The emphasis should be playing the shot in front of the square leg or behind square leg. Playing a reverse sweep is not easy as it requires a lot of experience and practice. Javed Miandad of Pakistan is considered to be the King of Reverse Sweep. Vivian Richards from West Indies is also considered as one of the best in this regard. 

How to bowl an off spin?

Off spin bowling is the most bowled spin style technique. It’s not easy to bowl an off-spin as it is quite complex to bowl it when compared to fast bowling.  The essence of spin bowling lies in the skills pertaining to the movements of hands. The spin bowling has a different grip. While holding the ball, the middle finger along with third finger and the mid-joints of the index finger are well stretched athwart the seam. Thumb and the little finger have no part in the spin bowling. Once the grip is in right position, the ball is rotated from the forefinger to the third finger till the time it does not release the hand. The off spinner should aim to pitch the ball outside the off stump as if it pitches near the stumps area; there is a strong possibility that the right handed batsman will play it towards the leg side. Keeping in view these tips an off spinner can get handful wickets.

Off spin bowlers from many cricketing nations have been really successful and they have played an important role in the victories of their teams. Off spinning the bowl is an art which these bowlers learn through natural talent and through continuous hard work and dedication.

How to bowl an off break?

Off break is an offensive delivery of an off-spin bowler in cricket. Off break spins or breaks into the batsman from the off side where the spin of the ball is generated after hitting the pitch. Off break is usually bowled by gripping the ball in the palm with the seams stretching underneath all the fingers of the off spin bowler. In case of a right handed bowler, once the ball is released from the hand, all the fingers are rolled down towards the right side, resulting in a clockwise spin. Once the ball hits the pitch, the spin deviate the ball towards the right. From a right handed batsman’s perspective, the ball spins towards the left or leg side and spins away from off side. Although there is a chance of Leg-Before-Wicket (LBW), off breaks are easier deliveries for a right handed batsman as the ball moved towards the striker’s body giving him an opportunity to judge and hit the ball in right direction. However, off break is effective against the left handed batsman as it moves away from his body towards the off side and any misjudgement by him can turn him into a prey of wicket-keeper or slip fielders. Muttiah Muralidaran and Harbhajan Singh are todays world class off break spin bowlers .

How to play an in-swinger?

To play a good swinging ball especially the in-swinger is always tough for even world class batsmen like Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulker. The class of an in swinger has always created problems for a batsman to judge it properly. The most important point to play an in swinger is to timely judge it. Though it seems impossible, but with a little concentration. Here comes the difference between a good player and an average player as a good player has the ability to go after an in swinger in a better way where an average player becomes prey of it and get out. Secondly as an in swinger is targeted to be pitched high, the batsman should play it forward and try to be close to its pitch as much as possible. By this, the deviation of the ball will be reduced after pitching and the batsman can hit the shot comparatively easy. Finally, try to play the delivery with soft hands.

In swingers are a deadly weapon for the pace attackers. Usually a batsman  who has good grip on how to play an in-swinger survives pace attack. A lot of key bowlers from Pakistan, West Indies and Australia have mastered the art of bowling an in-swinger.

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