Bowling Techniques: Grip Variation
Cricket is a sport in which strategy plays a major role, much like chess. Cricket is a game of cat and mouse between the batter and the bowler. The batter will try to score runs while protecting his wicket, whereas the bowler wants to concede the least runs and take the batter’s wicket. Both the batter and bowler assume the roles of cat and mouse at different points in the game. At the end, all that matters is if the cat caught the mouse, or if the mouse escaped successfully.
Back to strategy: cricket is an outdoor sport, which means that the roles of cat and mouse can be determined by the conditions of the field and/or weather. Cricket is played on a pitch, packed dirt, which is different on every field. Some pitches are batter-friendly, meaning the batter has a easier time playing each delivery. An example of a batter-friendly pitch could be if the pitch was damp from a rainstorm the night before. The pitch could become softer, and thus the ball would bounce less. The batter would become more comfortable and confident in playing their shots, as they wouldn’t have to worry about the ball bouncing too high. This would allow the batter to take the role of the cat.
So we face the question of: How does the bowler make the batter the mouse and keep pressure on them? The simple answer is variation. In this article, we will be discussing grip variation (for a pace bowler), or how the bowler holds the ball before it is delivered.
First, every fast bowler should have a stock delivery. One ball that they can bowl with no problem at all. Normally this delivery uses a seam grip. Both the middle and index finger rest vertically, parallel on the seam of the cricket ball. The thumb supports the ball from the bottom and the other fingers rest to the side of the ball. This delivery is in no way special, it should be a delivery that the bowler can always go back to, in order to regain their rhythm if other deliveries are ineffective. The release is simple, containing 2 steps, cocking the wrist back and snapping it forward at the point of release. Try your best to not drop your wrist as this will lead to inaccuracy and pace reduction.
The cross-seam ball is very special. It is unique due to natural variation. Starting off with the grip: Turn the ball so the seam is horizontal. Rest your index and middle finger across the seam (perpendicular). There should be 2 inches of space between the index and middle finger. The thumb and rest of the fingers should be in the same position as the stock ball. Cock your wrist back and snap on release. The cross-seam delivery is remarkable because of the surprise aspect. Natural variation causes the ball to either land on the flat side and skid on (staying low) or land on the seam causing the ball to shoot up. This surprises the batter as they cannot anticipate what the ball will do and prepare accordingly.
The out-swinger, is a beautiful delivery. Many right handed bowlers have a natural out-swinger but can make it more pronounced. The delivery moves through the air, towards the offside (to a right handed batter). To perform this ball correctly, face the shiny side of the ball to the left and the rough side to the right. Face the seam towards first slip, but grip the ball similar to the stock ball. The release should include a roll of the fingers down the ball, to develop back-spin.
The in-swinger is an extraordinary delivery which when executed correctly, completely stuns the batter. It is a very risky ball to bowl, as too much inswing can cause the ball to fly down the leg side for 4 runs. The grip is similar to the out-swinger. The only difference is that the seam should face first slip for a left handed batter (leg side 1 o’clock). As per the release, push down before letting go off the ball to impart backspin.
Before I conclude this article, I would like to revisit the concept of cat and mouse. A common way off the bowler being the cat is by setting up the batter. This is a strategy that requires patience, precision, and perseverance. The bowler sets up the batter by bowling 2,3, maybe even 4 over of out-swingers. This makes the batter play away from his body and outside the line of off stump. Suddenly, in the 5th over, you bowl a beautiful in-swinger. The batter is anticipating a ball that they have to play outside of off stump, whereas he is greeted with a ball that swings in and smashes into the stumps. This is just one strategy in cricket that is effective, but difficult. This strategy is only possible if you have your basics down, such as these ball grips.
Thank you all for reading my article, hope to see you in the next one.