Get a Grip – Spin
Basic Bowling Drill 3 – Get a Grip (Spin Bowling)
The way you grip the ball for spin bowling is very important. There a number of different grips for different deliveries – this drill will look at just one – the off break.
Good spin bowling takes dedication and a great deal of practice. You have to be accurate with both line and length to prevent the batsmen from scoring heavily.
The ball will turn with the spin after it pitches
- Off-spin is the most popular method of spin in cricket.
- An off-break delivery turns from the off side to the leg side when bowled at a right-handed batsman.
- The spin is generated by the first and second fingers of the right hand.
- The more revolutions you can put on the ball, the better chance you have of getting more turn when the ball pitches.
- The middle joints of the index and middle fingers are well spread across the seam.
- The ball rests against the third finger but the thumb has little involvement.
- Turning the wrist and the index finger generate the spin on the ball, turning the ball in a clockwise direction.
- Use your first two fingers to give the ball a good “rip” at the point of delivery.
The other type of spin bowling is leg spin, with wonderfully named deliveries like the leg-spinner, top-spinner, googly, slider and flipper.
These are deliveries made famous by the Australian bowler Shayne Warne. Warne is one of the most prolific (leg) spin bowlers in the history of the game. He finished his professional career with 708 test wickets to his credit in a 15 year playing career!
