How to bowl Reverse Swing Bowling in Cricket

Fast bowling is an exquisite art, demanding both precision and power, and master fast bowlers can skillfully manipulate the leather ball to obey their commands. These maestros of the craft can make the ball swing through the air or seam off the pitch, deceiving batsmen with its unpredictable movement. One of the most challenging and important skills in an expert fast bowler is the reverse swing bowling. The reverse swing fast bowling technique makes an old ball move in the opposite direction of normal swing, leaving batsmen dumbfounded. Learning this technique shows a bowler's great skill and is a key ability every good fast bowler should try to master.

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So, in this article by ZAP, let's learn more about what reverse swing actually is and how you can master it. 

What is Reverse Swing Bowling in Cricket?

Credit: Cricket@IITB

In cricket, especially in the longer formats like Tests and ODIs, as the leather ball gets older and loses its shape, it becomes harder for bowlers to make it swing. However, after around 35-40 overs, something amazing happens—the ball starts to swing in the opposite direction, known as reverse swing. This technique is a bowler's hidden weapon and can be very powerful if mastered.

Reverse swing is more difficult to master than regular swing bowling techniques but can be extremely effective in the hands of a skilled bowler. Normally, a swinging ball moves through the air right after the bowler releases it. In contrast, a reverse swinging ball changes direction just before it reaches the batsman, making it much harder for the batter to detect and respond to. This sudden movement often leads to mistakes, such as the ball hitting their batting pads for an LBW (leg before wicket) or taking the edge of their cricket bat and being caught behind.

Also Read: LBW (Leg Before Wicket) Rule in Cricket

 

What makes reverse swing special is that with a new ball, a bowler can make it swing away from the batsman using an outswing grip. But with an old ball and the same grip, the ball will swing towards the batsman. This unique behavior is what makes reverse swing such a valuable skill for fast bowlers. 

Also Read: Fast Bowling Gym Workouts 

How to bowl reverse swing in cricket?

The skill of swing bowling depends on how the bowler uses their wrist position and the seam of the ball to create different air pressures, causing the ball to move late. The main factors affecting this movement are the position of the seam, the condition of the ball, and the bowler's wrist position. Here's how you can bowl reverse swing:

Prepare the Ball:

• Polish and Wear: Throughout the innings, polish one side of the ball while allowing the other side to develop natural wear and tear. The shiny side should remain smooth and glossy, while the rough side should be dry and scuffed.

Holding the Ball:

• Seam Position: Hold the ball with the seam pointing toward the slips fielding position.
• Grip for Swing Direction:

1. To swing the ball towards the batsman, point the rough side towards them.
2. To swing the ball away from the batsman, point the shiny side towards them.

Bowling Technique:

• Wrist Angle: Keep your wrist at a 20-30-degree angle towards the batsman and maintain this angle as you begin your run-up.
• Maintain the right Speed: Bowl the ball at a speed over 80 mph (130 km/h) to effectively generate reverse swing.
• Follow Through: Complete your follow-through so that your bowling arm finishes on the opposite side of your body. 

Understand the above techniques well and practice them dedicatedly to learn the basics of this technique. Then, with continuous improvement and with use in match like situations, you will gradually be able to master this skill. 

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