| A bowler who has the ability to bowl swing is an | | | | running slight across the seam. The shiny side should |
| important asset in any cricket team as swing bowling | | | | face the leg side of the batsmen, thus the rough side |
| is a great way to baffle a batman, add pressure and | | | | faces the off side and the direction of swing. The |
| take wickets. The swing bowler has the ability to | | | | increased air resistance on the rough side and seam |
| move the ball in the air either away from the | | | | position will cause it to swing through the air towards |
| batsman or in towards the batsmen. The swing is | | | | the offside. The run up should be slightly angled and |
| created by holding the cricket ball in a specific way | | | | bowled from close to the stumps. |
| so that when it is released from the hand the varying | | | | The in swing delivery is basically the reverse of the |
| levels of air resistance combined with the position the | | | | away swing in that when bowled from a right handed |
| seam is directed causes the ball to swing in the air. | | | | bowler it swings in towards a right handed batsmen |
| The swing is accentuated by polishing and shining one | | | | from the off side towards the leg side. Have a |
| side of the ball so that is smooth relative to the | | | | straighter run up and deliver the ball slightly wider on |
| other side, which should get roughened up through | | | | the crease. In contrast to the away swing bowler, |
| the natural course of play. Select a side to shine at | | | | the in swing bowler aims to get the batsmen out |
| the start of the match and ensure all the bowlers | | | | LBW or bowled by pitching it up. Aim to bowl it so |
| and fielders know which side to polish. You can polish | | | | that it swings from outside off stump and pitches in |
| it by rubbing sweat into it and then rubbing it on your | | | | line with middle and off stumps, be careful though |
| cricket trousers. | | | | because if you start it too straight it will swing down |
| There are three generally recognised swing delivery | | | | leg side and be easy for the batsman to hit away. |
| types, in swing, out swing and reverse swing. | | | | Tip - If you find yourself swinging the ball |
| The out swing delivery is a ball which when bowled | | | | uncontrollably, hold the ball across the seam so that |
| by a right handed bowler to a right handed batsman | | | | the seam runs horizontally, this will help negate and |
| swings from the leg side towards the off side. The | | | | reduce the amount of swing. |
| aim of the out swinger is to encourage the batsman | | | | You need to make sure that your bowlers and |
| into playing a drive and ideally the swing will increase | | | | fielders are aware of which side of the ball in polished |
| the chance of getting an edge and getting the | | | | and that is constantly shined between deliveries. Most |
| batsmen out caught behind, so make sure you've got | | | | bowlers will shine the ball themselves but it is always |
| some good catchers behind the stumps. You want to | | | | useful to nominate one or two fielders to shine the |
| pitch the ball quite full, aiming at or just outside off | | | | ball as well while the bowler is walking back to his |
| stump so that the batsman is forced to play at the | | | | mark. |
| ball. | | | | Changing weather conditions have an often |
| The grip for the out swing delivery is quite simple and | | | | noticeable affect on the amount that the cricket ball |
| provided the seam is up right at the point of release | | | | will swing. Dry hot sunny days don't favour swing |
| it should swing. You need to hold the ball as normal | | | | bowling, whereas overcast, cloudy conditions are |
| for a medium paced delivery with the seam vertical, | | | | found to be most influential at generating more |
| however for the out swinger the seam needs to be | | | | swing. So take this into consideration when deciding |
| vertical and pointing towards first or second slip at | | | | who to bowl if you are captain. |
| about a 15° angle, so that your fingers will be | | | | |