Inswinger
Advanced Bowling Drill 1 – Inswingers
We have already said in Bowling Basics Skill Drill 3 that the way you grip the ball for seam bowling is very important.
Note the differences from the seam grip (inset)
- Look carefully at the grip position in the diagram and compare this with the grip for seam bowling we showed you in Skill Drill 11 (inset -bottom right).
Can you see the difference?
- The ball is tilted with the seam at a slight angle towards the leg side (for a right handed batsman). The two fingers at the top grip the ball just on and inside the seam rather than either side of it.
- The condition of ball is important in swing bowling and you should work on shining one side of the ball only. Angle the seam towards the leg side but keep it vertical.
- The shiny side of the ball should be furthest from the batsman on the left hand side of the seam.
Always make sure the rough side of the cricket ball is facing in the direction you want to swing it.
- Inswingers are good deliveries to use against left handed batsman as it makes them play the ball away from their body.
- Note that although you are allowed to clean, polish and dry the ball, you are not allowed to dull one side using grit or sand off the ground, interfere with the seam or scratch the surface.
- This is strictly against the rules and is known as ‘ball tampering’ – quite a few test match players have been accused of this in the past.
Here is what the law has to say on the subject:
LAW 42.3c (FAIR AND UNFAIR PLAY):
“It is unfair for anyone to rub the ball on the ground for any reason, interfere with any of the seams or the surface of the ball, use any implement, or take any other action whatsoever which is likely to alter the condition of the ball.”
The next skill drill will look at the outswinger.
