Basics of Game

Types of Bowling

1. Types of Pace Bowling-

a. Fast-

A genuine fast bowler is a bowler who tries to bowl as quick as possible not compromising on his pace for gaining control over his line & length. Such bowlers tend to hurry the batter with their pace forcing them to make an error in judging the pace of the ball that is being delivered. However, on days when these bowlers don't get it right they go for plenty of runs without getting much of a reward. Their pace is generally more than 90 mph (146+ kph).

b. Fast Medium-

A fast medium bowler bowls quicker than a medium fast bowler while is generally slower than a genuine fast bowler. These bowlers use the seam of the ball to their advantage which lets the ball move in the direction of the seam after pitching causing lateral movement creating doubts in the mind of the batter. They also tend to move the ball in the air in helpful conditions. When the ball moves in the direction of the seam after pitching is known as seam movement and if it moves in the air before pitching it is known as swing. Some bowlers can use both swing and seam depending on the conditions. They bowl at a pace between 81-89 mph (130-145 kph).

c. Medium Fast-

A medium fast bowler is very similar to a fast medium bowler who doesn't have the luxury of extra pace and seam movement. They usually rely on their line & length and the swing they get to trouble the batters. Their pace is generally between 76-80 mph (121-129 kph).

d. Medium-

A medium bowler generally rolls over his fingers to bowl the ball at the batters. These deliveries are known as cutters. They usually have variations that are similar to spin bowlers but their trajectory wouldn't have as much deviation as a spinner. They can swing the ball too just like medium fast bowlers. Such bowlers don't offer much pace to the batters which often helps in restricting the scoring rate in a limited overs game. They are also very useful on wearing surfaces found often lately in a Test match. They bowl at a pace between 61-74 mph (98-120 kph).

2. Types of Spin Bowling

a. Finger Spin/Off Spin/Off Break-

A finger spinner is a bowler who generally uses his fingers predominantly his index finger and his thumb to grip the ball and get some turn off the surface after the ball pitches. From the point of view of a right hand batter, the ball would pitch outside the off-stump and turns towards the middle or leg-stump. Therefore, it was known by the name off-spin. The ball travels as if it's path is broken when it pitches, hence it is referred to as off-break bowling.

b. Wrist Spin/Leg Spin/Leg Break-

A wrist spinner is a bowler who generally uses his wrist to grip and release the ball and get some turn off the surface after the ball pitches. From the point of view of a right hand batter, the ball would pitch on the middle or leg-stump and turns towards outside the off-stump. Therefore, it was known by the name leg-spin. The ball travels as if it's path is broken when it pitches, hence it is referred to as leg-break bowling.

c. Mystery Spin-

A mystery spinner is combination of both off-spin & leg-spin bowling. These bowlers possess special skills of being able to bowl both kind of deliveries. These are generally very smart bowlers who use their variations depending on the conditions and the nature of the pitch. They become very useful for a certain match-up against a particular batter.

For example- Certain batters tend to play off spinners very well but they would struggle against leg spinners in such cases these bowlers can bowl like leg-spin bowlers.