As the name suggests, bowling is one of the most entertaining and challenging forms of Cricket. Bowling is the art of throwing a ball so that it rolls so that a batsman gets hit on the body. The batsman is then forced to leave the crease, and the bowler can run for a single or a double. Besides the excitement of bowling and hitting the batsman, various other aspects of bowling make it a very challenging occupation.
With so many different types of bowling, it is not just about mastering one type of bowling but about understanding the ins and outs of all the types of bowling.
Let’s explore some of the different types of bowling in cricket:
Types of Bowling in Cricket
There are two main types of bowling that are used in cricket. They are fast and slow bowling. Fast bowling is the type of bowling used to bowl faster than the batsman, who struggles to hit the ball and gives away a run or a wicket. This type of bowling is typically used by big men with height and power in their arms.
Fast bowlers use their body weight, speed, and accuracy to bowl fastballs at the batsman, who is forced to make mistakes due to their ability to react.
The Slower One
The slower one is called spin bowling, where a bowler uses his skills with fingers and wrist to give the ball an awkward bounce on hitting it, making it difficult for batters to hit it properly.
The main intention behind using this type of bowling is not just about making runs or taking wickets but also about confusing the batters so much that they end up doing something wrong like throwing their wicket away or getting out on some technical error.
This type of bowling requires high skills and techniques, especially when you are playing international cricket where you are playing against some very experienced players from all over the world.
This spin bowling has different types under it, including:
- Leg Break and Off Break- This type of bowling is used mainly by spinners and makes the ball bounce to go away from the batsman and hit the stumps.
- Doosra (Off Spinner)- This type of bowling is also known as the ‘unorthodox’ bowling and is used to confuse the batsmen by making it appear like a typical off-break or leg break, turning out to be something else.
- Top spinner (Leg and Off Spin bowling)-This type of bowling is used by leg spinners and off-spinners to make the ball bounce to hit the batsman on his pads or the top of his bat.
- Carrom Ball (Off-Spin bowling)- In this bowling, the bowler makes use of his wrist and fingers to turn the ball in a way that the batsman is forced to move out of his crease.
- Slider (Leg Spinner)- Leg spinners use this one to make the ball bounce to hit the batsman on his pads or his arms.
Fast Bowling
This is one of the most popular forms of bowling in cricket. This type of bowling is speedy and is ideally suited for the death overs when the batsman is looking to make a quick score. The main aim of this bowling is to try and bowl the batsman out as quickly as possible.
The types of fast bowling include:
- Bouncer-This type of bowling is used to try and hit the batsman on the body or the helmet of his head to intimidate him. Using a fast bowler like that is also called intimidation bowling. To get into this kind of position as a bowler, you must possess different skills and techniques.
- Outswinger- In this bowling, the bowler turns his arm to make the ball turn away from the batsman and go towards the wicketkeeper. To achieve this, you have to do a very high jump while bowling which gives you a speed boost. You also have to stay in shape and work hard on your fitness to run in between deliveries.
- Inswingers- This involves turning the bowling arm to make the ball turn inwards and hitting the batsman on his stumps or bowler’s body. This type of bowling requires a lot of stamina, which will help you get more extended run-up periods.
- Reverse Swing-In this type of bowling, the bowler turns his arm to make the back of the ball curve away from the batsman and hits him on his pads. To do this, you need a fast-running style which will also help you get into your positions to bowl.
- Change of Pace-In this bowling, the bowler changes his speed from a fast one to a slow one and vice versa often. To do this, you have to be alert to know when to turn your pace.
- Leg and Off Cutter- This type of bowling involves turning the bowling arm to make the ball turn to hit the batsman on his shoulders. To do this, you have to keep your eyes focused and be aware of what’s around you.
- Yorker- This type of bowling is very similar to the outswinger, but it involves the opposite action. To do this bowling, you have to turn your arm inwards and make a sharp turn.
- Slower Ball- This type of bowling is where a plotter makes the ball move at a slow speed at the end of the delivery to make it harder to hit. To achieve this bowling action, you have to be alert and have power and stamina.
FAQs
Q. How Do You Know That You Are Well Prepared to Join a Bowling Team?
A. In the first initial stage, you have to appear in the right physical conditions, which is done by working out and practicing different things. A good bowler should be very alert and have the entire focus on getting into position while bowling to bowl his best.
Q. What Type of Bowling Is Suitable After a Back Injury?
A. Over time, everything that has been hurt during a back injury will heal up with time, but if it still hurts, then it should be changed with other types of spinning that are less painful for the back, and this will help in preventing injuries from happening again.
Conclusion
People have started to see that bowling is a great skill, and here are some examples given below, which will help everyone learn different types of bowling.
Bowling gives you relief from stress, and the atmosphere at the bowling alley is fun to opt for. Bowling improves your concentration and physical fitness and also increases endurance. Bowling gives you mental stimulation and new ways of gaining respect and confidence.
