Fast bowling is an art, with each bowler an artist. Every fast bowler possesses a unique skill set, whether it’s swinging the new ball or hitting the deck hard.
But what exactly is the difference between swinging the new ball and seaming it?
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Understanding Swing Bowling
In simple terms, swing bowling occurs when the ball moves sideways in the air. Conditions play a significant role in swinging the ball; the more windy and overcast it is, the better the chances of achieving a swing. Swing bowling can be categorized into three types: inswing, outswing, and reverse swing.
A ball that is inswinging strikes a right-handed batter, while one that is out-swinging travels away. The key to a perfect swinging delivery lies in the seam position.
To bowl an inswinger to a right-handed batter, the seam should be angled towards the batter. To create an outswinger, the seam must face the slips.
Reverse swing, a more challenging skill to master, requires not only a perfect seam position but also pace in the delivery. The speed of the ball and the roughness on one side of the old ball contribute to the ball reversing.
A bowler stands a decent chance of attaining reverse swing if they routinely bowl at a pace over 140 kmph. Interestingly, when the seam is angled towards the slips and the ball comes into the batter, it is considered a reverse swinging delivery.
The Mechanics of Seam Bowling
Seam bowling, on the other hand, involves the ball moving sideways after pitching. A ball must have a straight seam location to veer off the surface.
If the ball lands on the pitch with a straight seam, there is a higher chance it will change its trajectory.
Seam bowling is heavily influenced by pitch conditions. A pitch with cracks or a grass covering will aid seam bowlers. One fascinating aspect of seam bowling is that even bowlers may not always know the direction in which the ball will change its trajectory.
This unpredictability contrasts with swing bowling, where a bowler deliberately aims for an inswinger or outswinger.
Key Differences and Conditions
To summarize, swing bowling relies on air conditions and seam position to achieve lateral movement before the ball pitches. In contrast, seam bowling depends on the pitch conditions and the seam’s orientation to cause deviation after pitching. Both skills require precision, practice, and an understanding of conditions to execute effectively.
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