Wrist Spin Development

WRIST-SPIN DELIVERY TYPES
A wrist-spinner can use several delivery types, including the leg-break, top-spinner, wrong'un, and flipper or backspinner.

PHASES OF WRIST-SPIN BOWLING ACTION
There are four distinct phases of the wrist-spin bowler's action
APPROACH- The approach should be short and efficient, just long enough to provide balance and build rhythm and momentum that can be transferred to the ball at delivery.
GATHER- The gather is the all-important transition from the run-up to the delivery, as the bowler springs or leaps off the front foot to swivel in the air and land on the back foot immediately prior to delivery.
DELIVERY STRIDE AND RELEASE- The delivery stride is longer for most wrist-spinners than finger-spinners. This is the time when the rhythm and momentum developed during the run-up is transferred and applied to the ball on release. This transfer is maximized by the rhythmical pivot on the front leg.
FOLLOW THROUGH- The follow through occurs as the back leg continues forward and across the body after release. After the back foot lands following the release of the ball, the bowler may take another step or two or may spring to the 'ready position' to the field or catch after the batsman plays a shot. At this stage, the bowler becomes a key player in the fielding team, particularly in relation to strokes in the direction of the bowler or for returns from the field if there is the chance of a run-out at the non-striker's end.

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE OF WRIST-SPIN BOWLING

• Develop a feel for the ball, with the dynamic double-hinge action that comes from finger strength and the wrist-snap producing spin and 'fizz' to make the delivery lively and venomous
• Spin the ball hard, to achieve flight, rift, drop and sharp turn
• Understand that spin and flight(drift, drop and hang0 are dependent upon the direction and amount of spin imparted and the body action.
• Develop a strong spinning leg-break as a stock ball
• Develop a big spinning leg-break with maximum revolutions
• Develop variations of spin, pace, flight/drift, and trajectory
• Practice bowling at targets to refine accuracy with all deliveries, while also maintaining the capacity to spin the ball sharply
• Develop their own points of difference

VARIATION

STOCK DELIVERIES

A spinner's stock delivery serves as the foundation for adding subtle variations of flight and pace. A stock leg-spin delivery should be strong-spinning leg-break that can be bowled with confidence in various situations. A stock finger-spin delivery should be a strong-spinning off-break that can provide the basis upon which variations of spin and flight can be developed and perfected.

BOWLING TO INTENDED TARGET

A spinner must be able to exert pressure on the batsman and the batting team by bowling as accurately as possible, thereby minimizing the number of loose deliveries and making the batsman play at the ball. The constant aim is to pitch the ball where the batsman will be uncomfortable and will be undecided as to whether to defend or attack.

WRIST-SPIN WITH FLIGHT AND PACE VARIATIONS

Wrist-spin should be bowled with variations of flight and pace to create different trajectory, spin, and bounce. Wrist-can is bowled with different blends of spin, flight, and pace to create different flights paths, in terms of drift and drop, and then different amount of turn and bounce.

ATTACKING AND DEFENSIVE FIELDS FOR FINGER-SPIN

Attacking fields for finger-spin bowling will have more fielders in catching positions and saving singles in the infield ring, in order to put more pressure on the batsman. As with wrist-spinning, the bowler should resist the temptation to reduce the spin of the ball and therefore the wicket-taking potential simply to increase accuracy. If the bowler is using a line outside off stump, the batsman is encouraged to play against the spin and into the off side, to a 5/4 or 6/3 balance.

The defensive field setting for finger-spin also depends on the bowling line. If bowling an outside off-stump line, the usual defensive field will have a 5/4 balance (or a 6/3 balance for more accurate bowlers).

Finger Spin Development

 FINGER-SPIN DELIVERY TYPES

A finger-spinner can use several delivery types, including the off-break, arm ball, and doosra.

PHASES OF FINGER-SPIN BOWLING ACTION

APPROACH- The approach should be short and efficient, just long enough to provide balance and build rhythm and momentum that can be transferred to the ball at delivery.

GATHER-  The gather is the all-important transition from the run-up to the delivery, as the bowler springs or leaps off the front foot to swivel in the air and land on the back foot immediately prior to delivery.

DELIVERY STRIDE- The delivery stride will be similar to that used by wrist-spinners except that for a finger-spinners refer to 'digging a trench' as they pivot on their front foot and achieve a dynamic twist with the body, in order to transfer momentum to the spinning of the ball at release.

FOLLOW THROUGH- The follow-through will be similar to that used by wrist-spinners. Most finger-spinners pivot dynamically around the front foot at the release of the delivery and immediately spring into the 'ready position', with both feet in front of the batting crease at the non-striker's end, ready to play a role in the field.

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE OF FINGER-SPIN BOWLING

• Develop finger strength and their wrist action
• Spin the ball hard, to achieve flight, drift, drop and sharp turn
• Develop the ability to maximize spin by imparting the maximum revolutions, to generate drift, drop and turn
• Develop a strong spinning stock ball
• Develop big spinning off-break
• Develop variations of spin, pace, flight/drift, and trajectory
• Bowl at targets to refine accuracy while maintaining the big-spinning capacity
• Develop an arm-ball that can be bowled at different speeds to suit circumstances
• Develop their own points of difference

VARIATION
STOCK DELIVERIES
A spinner's stock delivery serves as the foundation for adding subtle variations of flight and pace. A stock leg-spin delivery should be strong-spinning leg-break that can be bowled with confidence in various situations. A stock finger-spin delivery should be a strong-spinning off-break that can provide the basis upon which variations of spin and flight can be developed and perfected.

BOWLING TO INTENDED TARGET
A spinner must be able to exert pressure on the batsman and the batting team by bowling as accurately as possible, thereby minimizing the number of loose deliveries and making the batsman play at the ball. The constant aim is to pitch the ball where the batsman will be uncomfortable and will be undecided as to whether to defend or attack.

FINGER-SPIN WITH FLIGHT AND PACE VARIATIONS
Finger-spin should be bowled with different combinations of spin and flight, in order to produce different trajectories and different amounts of turn and bounce. This provides variety in deliveries and develops uncertainty in the mind of the batsman.

ATTACKING AND DEFENSIVE FIELDS FOR FINGER-SPIN
Attacking fields for finger-spin bowling will have more fielders in catching positions and saving singles in the infield ring, in order to put more pressure on the batsman. As with wrist-spinning, the bowler should resist the temptation to reduce the spin of the ball and therefore the wicket-taking potential simply to increase accuracy. If the bowler is using a line outside off stump, the batsman is encouraged to play against the spin and into the off side, to a 5/4 or 6/3 balance.

The defensive field setting for finger-spin also depends on the bowling line. If bowling an outside off-stump line, the usual defensive field will have a 5/4 balance (or a 6/3 balance for more accurate bowlers).

Pace Bowling Development

BALANCED AND ALIGNED ACTION TO RELEASE UPRIGHT SEAM
Pace bowlers need to focus their attention and direct all body movements through the target, as the aim is to bowl each delivery past the batsman to the wicketkeeper or to hit the stumps. The direction of the upright seam determines the shape of the delivery.

FAST, MEDIUM-FAST AND MEDIUM CATEGORIES
Pace bowlers are generally classified in one of the three categories, based on their speed:

• A fast bowler is usually athletic, strong and physically explosive; aims to hit the pitch hard and surprise the batsman with pace and bounce, and their change of pace can be very damaging
• A medium-fast bowler is generally strong and physically assertive and should develop subtle variations of pace, combined with swing and cut
• A medium-pace bowler is typically strong with good endurance and should develop accuracy combine with subtle variations of pace, swing, cut and tactics 

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF PACE BOWLING

To maximize their chances of succeeding, pace bowlers need to:

• Have an economical run-up to build momentum to the delivery stride, with a smooth follow-through
• Be able to bowl a stock ball with accuracy and variation
• Develop weapons for wicket-taking balls, which may include accuracy, change of pace, swing, cut and surprise
• Assess each batsman to identify their preferences, preliminary movements, concentration levels, strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities
• Have a strong concentration and focus
• Make use of a physical training program and practice program

INTENDED TARGET AREAS

The basic area at which a pace bowler should aim just short of a good length on off stump. However, because all batsmen are unique, the bowler must be able, depending on the preferences, preliminary movements, strengths and weaknesses of the batsman. The area considered a 'good length' may vary for each individual batsman.

VARIATION

USE OF MOVEMENT IN THE AIR

Swing is a very important weapon for a pace bowler but the bowler must also realize that some conditions will make it difficult to swing the ball. The bowler's accuracy and control of pace must be developed so that he/she can contend with each batsman and each situation. While accuracy and the ability to consistently bowl a stock ball are important in building the pressure on the batsman, subtle changes of pace are essential to keep the batsman guessing. Any plan must be supported by a well-placed field to apply pressure- catches and run-outs often result from the pressure that the bowler and the fielders exert.

When the conditions to allow for swing bowling, it is important that the bowler maintains an upright seam. The seam acts as a rudder and helps to direct the swing.

SWING BOWLING

OUTSWING

To bowl outswing (for a right-arm bowler) the ball should be gripped with a seam angled to point at third slip. At release, the first finger leaves the ball last to keep the seam steady and upright. The bowler should then follow through in the direction of the desired swing.

INSWING

To bowl inswing (for a right-arm bowler) the ball should be gripped with the seam angled to point at to fine leg. At release, the second finger leaves the ball last to keep the seam steady and upright in the direction of fine leg. The bowler should then follow through through the back leg (right leg) in the direction of the desired swing.

Swing bowling aids should be introduced to demonstrate the importance of the upright seam and to enable the bowlers to experiences methods to keep the seam upright throughout its flight. These can include wooden discs, flat boot-polish tins (to simulate the upright seam), waffle balls, airflow balls or tennis balls with one side taped to facilitate the swing.

STANDARD FIELD PLACEMENTS FOR SWING BOWLING

Standard field placements for swing bowling should be based upon normal 5/4 off-side balance, with more close-catching fielders on the side of the wicket to which the ball is more commonly swinging.

USING LINE TO RESTRICT SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

Pace bowlers can restrict scoring opportunities for the batsmen by bowling outside off stump with a strong off-side field

Another option is to bowl middle and leg, with a strong leg-side field. This is especially useful for a batsman who has difficulty with deliveries pitched in this area, in some cases because they make an early commitment forward and have to play around their front leg. 

Tactical - 1

RUNNING BETWEEN THE WICKETS

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF RUNNING BETWEEN THE WICKET
When running between the wickets, the batsman should:

• Make the decision as quickly as possible on whether to run or not
• Communicate clearly with your batting partner with the calls 'Yes', or 'No', or 'Wait'.
• Run the first run hard
• Turn low, facing the direction of the ball, Place the bat over the batting crease and stay low to accelerate quickly into the next run

CALLING
Call clearly and support the call with a hand signal, if appropriate. The calls that should be used are 'Yes', or 'No', or 'Wait'.

RUNNING WITH THE BAT
Run with the bat held across the body, with the bottom hand holding the blade, to provide a balanced sprit- running position.

SILIDING THE BAT
Slide the bat into the crease when sprinting to avoid a potential run-out. With the bat held in the top hand, and weight projected forward, extend the bat towards the batting crease, with the side/edge of the bat landing before the crease and sliding over the crease. Ensure that it continues to slide until your feet are safely over the crease.