Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

How to swing a cricket ball and get more wickets

Pace bowling is an art. The sight of the great West Indies sides of the 80s, as well as some of the greats over the last two decades, was something to behold.

However, pace bowling is a challenge. While Test cricket has shifted back to the bowlers in recent years, cricket is still largely a batsman’s game. This is not to mention the incredible strain on the body, which makes effective pace bowling all the more important!

A big reason as to why pace bowling is an art is due to swing. Swing bowling done well means you don’t need to possess express pace to be successful at any level of cricket. When done right, you can pick up plenty of wickets. However, it is important you are able to swing both the old and new ball so you have a chance of taking wickets in different types of conditions.

This is what made the likes of Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn so brilliant over their careers.

Also read: My five ways to improve as a cricketer!

Conventional swing

One type of swing is conventional swing. This is where the ball swings in the same direction as the seam is pointing towards. A more detailed on what causes conventional swing can be found in a special ESPNCricinfo piece here.

To swing the ball conventionally, there are three crucial things to get right. Indeed, practicing as if you’re in game mode is a fantastic way to improve.

1. How to grip the ball

It is easy to jump the gun and think about how you will release the ball. However, a crucial element to swing bowling is how you grip the ball before release.

Some bowlers enjoy having their two bowling fingers closer together when releasing the ball. Others prefer a bit of a gap. The key here is to find what’s comfortable, and then maintain consistency.

More importantly, your grip shouldn’t be too tight. In fact, a great tip (which helped me when playing) is to have a bit of a gap between between the ball and your palm. This allows for a smoother and more consistent release, which is vital in controlling the ball. Also, a bit of a looser grip allows you to pitch the ball up fuller.

2. Wrist position

The second crucial tip for conventional swing is wrist position.

Your wrist has to be perfectly behind the ball upon release. If your wrist is not behind the ball, you will lose control, and struggle for accuracy let alone swing. A good wrist position enables a good seam position, as well as control when you release the ball. If you wish to swing the ball away from the right-hander, the ball and your wrist needs to be pointing towards first slip. For in-swing, both the ball and wrist should be heading towards fine leg. Your thumb should rest on the side of the seam you aim to swing the ball towards. If you can achieve both, you can set the batsman up nicely, which involves you thinking as a bowler (which is also crucial).

The New Zealand duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee are two bowlers who do this well.

However, if the seam is scrambled, there is little to no chance of any swing. Similarly, if you undercut the ball, the ball will simply go straight on. For example, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman entered the international scene with an unbelievable slower ball. However, he also had the ability to bring the ball back into the right hander. Since shoulder surgery in 2016, though, the “Fizz” has been unable to get his wrist straight enough to enable swing back into the right hander. Instead, the ball simply angles across, because the seam is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. The below image highlights this, which is something you should look to avoid.

If you have this problem, correcting the wrist position is key. Otherwise, you risk becoming too one-dimensional, with the batsman then not worried about any chance of the ball swinging.

3. Give the ball a chance to swing

Once you get the right grip and wrist position, the key then is to give the ball a chance to swing! Pitch the ball up nice and full (often just before half-volley length), and ask the batsman to drive. Remember Stuart Broad’s 8/15?

Reverse swing

The second main type of swing is reverse. Arguably the more dangerous of the two, reverse swing happens late, giving the batsman less time to adjust. This typically occurs in drier conditions.

During an innings, teams keep one side rough and the other shiny. Legally (well, sometimes). With reverse swing, the ball actually gravitates against the direction of the seam, which enables outswing bowlers to bowl inswing, and vice versa.

Think of Dale Steyn. He is an outswing bowler with the new ball. However, when the ball starts reversing, the ball comes in sharply to the right hander.

With the key tips in conventional swing in mind, below are key tips for maximising and taking wickets with reverse swing.

1. Target the stumps

Look for LBW and bowled dismissals. India’s Zaheer Khan and Pakistan’s Wasim Akram were two unbelievable exponents of this. Of course, so too Dale Steyn.

2. Snap your wrist at point of release

You should always snap your wrist at point of release. This enables you to achieve greater pace. However, this is especially important with reverse swing bowling, as it adds extra velocity to the ball, getting the ball moving really late. This is a nightmare for batsmen.

3. Ask your captain for catching fielders

If you start seeing the ball reverse, have the courage to ask your captain for catching fielders. A short midwicket is a very good option, even to set batsmen. Because the ball can come in sharply, the chances of hitting the ball in the air increases, which puts this fielder in the game. The same applies for slip fielders with the ball moving away.

Remember, it is not enough to just get the ball swinging. You also have to think strategy, and try stay a step ahead of the batsman!

So, there are some key tips to swing a cricket ball and take more wickets.

Do you have anything else to add?

Thanks for reading!

How to swing a cricket ball and get more wickets