Types of bowling in cricket
Bowlers fall into two main groups: pace bowlers and spin bowlers. Each group has its own skills and its own tricks.
The key points
- Pace bowlers rely on speed, bounce and movement through the air or off the pitch.
- Spin bowlers bowl slower and make the ball turn after it bounces.
- Every bowler must bowl with a straight arm. Bending and straightening the elbow is illegal.
Pace bowling
| Type | Typical speed | Main weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Express fast | 145 km/h and above | Pure pace and bounce |
| Fast | 135 to 145 km/h | Pace with some movement |
| Fast-medium | 125 to 135 km/h | Swing and seam movement |
| Medium pace | Below 125 km/h | Accuracy and variations |
Swing bowling
Swing is sideways movement through the air. Bowlers keep one side of the ball shiny and hold the seam upright.
- Outswinger: moves away from a right-handed batter, towards the slips. It creates edges.
- Inswinger: moves into a right-handed batter. It targets the stumps and pads for bowled and LBW.
- Reverse swing: happens with an old, rough ball. It moves the opposite way to normal swing, usually late and at high pace.
Seam bowling
Seam movement happens after the ball bounces. The raised seam hits the pitch and the ball jags sideways. Green, grassy pitches help seam bowlers most.
Spin bowling
| Type | Stock ball to a right-hander | Main variation |
|---|---|---|
| Off spin (right arm, finger spin) | Turns in, from off to leg | Doosra, which turns away |
| Leg spin (right arm, wrist spin) | Turns away, from leg to off | Googly, which turns in |
| Left-arm orthodox (finger spin) | Turns away | Arm ball, which goes straight on |
| Left-arm wrist spin | Turns in | Wrong'un, which turns away |
Dry, dusty pitches help spinners most. That is why spin is so important in India, Sri Lanka and the UAE.
Deliveries by length
- Yorker: lands right at the batter's feet. It is the hardest ball to hit at the death.
- Full: lands close to the batter, inviting a drive and often swinging.
- Good length: leaves the batter unsure whether to go forward or back.
- Short: bounces up around chest height.
- Bouncer: rises towards the head. The number per over is limited.
Variations
- Slower ball: the same action, much less pace, to make the batter play too early.
- Knuckle ball: a slower ball gripped with the knuckles, so it comes out with little spin.
- Cutter: the bowler drags fingers across the ball so it grips and moves off the pitch.
- Carrom ball: a spinner flicks the ball out with the middle finger.
Is it a throw? The 15-degree rule
A legal delivery must not involve straightening the elbow. Because most arms bend a little naturally, the ICC allows up to 15 degrees of straightening. Bowlers reported for a suspect action are tested in a lab.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest ball ever bowled?
The fastest officially recorded delivery is 161.3 km/h, bowled by Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan in 2003.
What is the difference between swing and seam?
Swing is movement through the air before the ball bounces. Seam movement happens when the ball hits the pitch on its seam.
What is a googly?
A googly is a leg spinner's ball that turns the opposite way to a normal leg break, into a right-handed batter.
Which type of bowling is best for T20?
Bowlers with good yorkers, slower balls and accurate variations tend to do best, whether they are pace or spin bowlers.