Bowling

Bowling is the most important department of the game of cricket, for there can be no thoroughly good cricket without excellent bowling. The theory of bowling is to try to deceive the eye of the batsman so that he fails to prevent the ball from hitting the wicket.

In order to do this the bowler must possess thorough command of the ball in delivery, speed, the power to impart a bias to the ball, and lastly , the experience and skill to give it the proper length, the latter being very important.

“Headwork,” too, is especially an essential in bowling. With it the bowler becomes a dangerous opponent; without it, no matter what his “pace” or accuracy of aim, he can be punished by skilful batsmen with comparative ease.

Bowling tips

The basic grip to hold the ball is to keep the seam vertical and to hold the ball with your index finger and middle finger either side of the seam with the side of your thumb resting on the seam underneath the ball.

In your approach/run in, try to stay Smooth, Balanced, Economical, Rhythmical and Consistent and stay relaxed and try not to tense up.

During your approach and action, your head position is very important. Make sure that as you approach the wicket you are running at a steady, consistent speed, and increase strides. Aim to keep your head as steady and level as possible, looking towards your target.

Pull your front arm down and through the target area, making sure you complete the delivery with a full follow through.

Try to keep everything in the same direction, towards your target, keep your hips and shoulders parallel/in-line, and follow through the delivery in the direction where you intend the ball to go.

Also as a bowler it is very important to stay in great shape, as you'll enjoy the game more and perform better in the latter stages if you have good stamina. So incorporating some light weight sessions in to your training is important.

Also aim to try and run 3 times a week to keep your cardiovascular system in top condition and to improve your stamina. South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, is well know for running 10Km every morning, even on match days!

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