Inswingers

[bond21]

Im a natural inswing bowler, I bowl some really good balls, but I am a bit inconsistent with my line.

Should I be trying to go wide of the crease and loop it in, or go close to the stumps, angle it away and swing it back.

I was down at the nets and was trying close to the stumps, it feels weird because you basically have to push the ball to the offside to allow for the swing. But when I get it right it is a really good ball.

Problem with wide on the crease is you have to aim out so wide and if it doesnt swing, its a wide, and if you get it too straight it goes way down leg side.

Perhaps I just need to get used to bowling closer to the stumps and pushing it to allow it to swing back. It is a much better ball I think. I was a bit inaccurate trying it but thats probably got to do with what im used to.

[Manee]

Originally Posted by bond21

Im a natural inswing bowler, I bowl some really good balls, but I am a bit inconsistent with my line.

Should I be trying to go wide of the crease and loop it in, or go close to the stumps, angle it away and swing it back.

I was down at the nets and was trying close to the stumps, it feels weird because you basically have to push the ball to the offside to allow for the swing. But when I get it right it is a really good ball.

Problem with wide on the crease is you have to aim out so wide and if it doesnt swing, its a wide, and if you get it too straight it goes way down leg side.

Perhaps I just need to get used to bowling closer to the stumps and pushing it to allow it to swing back. It is a much better ball I think. I was a bit inaccurate trying it but thats probably got to do with what im used to.

Are you left arm or right arm bowler?

[iamdavid]

I was exactly the same when I was younger (was apparently because I unintentionally fell away to the offside in my bowling action meaning my arm was past the perpendicular so I could only swing it in).

Once you are very comfortable with your whole bowling process its a handy tool to alternate between wide of the crease and in close as the batsman can misjudge the subtle variations in angle and swing, but while you're young and still working things out I wouldnt do that as it can muck you up.
And if you had to pick between wide on the crease and close to the stumps, really its a personal preference thing, but I'd say get in close as it gives you a better shout with the lbw's and you also have your momentum moving in a straight line, straight through the crease towards the batsman rather than at at angle, can help tighten up your action.

Having to adjust your line is the price you pay for being able to swing the ball, but really it shouldnt take long to work out how much the ball is swinging and know where you have to aim if you're to hit the top of off stump.
A really big weapon if you're a big swinger of the ball, particularly at lower levels, is the ball which dosent swing, can be done simply by holding the ball across the seam (grip can be changed at the last second), used sparingly its a big wicket taker as the batsman notice you're swinging every ball and they adjust to it but when they get one which holds its line outside off they'll poke at it tentitively and you'll get alot of outside edges.

[bond21]

Originally Posted by Manee

Are you left arm or right arm bowler?

right arm bowler.

I was bowling close to the stumps at practise, the ball angled across and then darted back in, cutting towards leg stump aswell.

Only problem was it felt a bit like I was sort of pushing too far to the off side instead of bowling straight down the pitch.

Could be just cause im not used to it, i duno

to iamdavid, when you go close to the stumps, you aim well outside off stump dont you, so in effect you're pushing the ball a bit aswell. Is it just cause im not used to doing it or is it wrong?

[bond21]

my main problem is my consistency.

I swing the ball a fair bit, and if i get the line slightly wrong, it is an ordinary or terrible ball.

ie too straight it will go well down legside, too wide outside off it wont swing as much and will be a wide.

[iamdavid]

Originally Posted by bond21

to iamdavid, when you go close to the stumps, you aim well outside off stump dont you, so in effect you're pushing the ball a bit aswell. Is it just cause im not used to doing it or is it wrong?

Depends on how far and how consistently the ball is swinging but yeah you'd generally be feeling for a spot about a foot outside off stump and like you say it could feel like you're pushing it wide and messing your momentum up. Never felt that way to me personally, maybe you're not used to it and it will get easier or maybe you should just do what feels comfortable for you

[bond21]

yea its all about the conditions on the day and how much its swinging, so you have to accomodate the line to allow for it.

Just gotta get into the swing of it again, I had been bowling outswingers for 6 months earlier this year.

[Manee]

Originally Posted by bond21

right arm bowler.

How do you swing the ball, is it with a Waqar Younis-esque sling or with a high arm action and supple wrist?

[bond21]

It's my natural action. My wrist position is naturally angled a bit towards fine leg and I have a high arm action. It would be like an outswing bowler trying to bowl inswing, it feels unnatural to bowl outswing for me. I can do it but it's harder.

I am not totally front on, like Flintoff, but I am more front on than side on.

Seriously I was bowling with the wind coming from cover on saturday and was bowling absolute banana balls, they were swinging a mile. Not loopy either like medium pacers they were pretty quick.

Anyway I will just try bowling not too close but reasonably close to the stumps, about halfway between the stumps and the return crease.

[Manee]

Originally Posted by bond21

It's my natural action. My wrist position is naturally angled a bit towards fine leg and I have a high arm action. It would be like an outswing bowler trying to bowl inswing, it feels unnatural to bowl outswing for me. I can do it but it's harder.

I am not totally front on, like Flintoff, but I am more front on than side on.

Ok, I understand now how you swing the ball. What you need to look to do is gauge what sort of day you are going to have by your first over (or less if you can) of each spell.

If the ball is going all over the place, you should look to bowl most of your balls with a cross seam and pitch it short of a length. Once you are certain that you have the right line, then look to chuck in the fuller inswinger which will no doubt catch the batsman off guard and trap him LBW.

If you are getting it to swing and the accuracy is good...just carry on doing what you're doing

[Manee]

Originally Posted by bond21

Anyway I will just try bowling not too close but reasonably close to the stumps, about halfway between the stumps and the return crease.

That will be best to do, make sure you run in and follow through in a straight line down the line which you just mentioned.

[bond21]

thanks for the advice

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by bond21

It's my natural action. My wrist position is naturally angled a bit towards fine leg and I have a high arm action. It would be like an outswing bowler trying to bowl inswing, it feels unnatural to bowl outswing for me. I can do it but it's harder.

I am not totally front on, like Flintoff, but I am more front on than side on.

Seriously I was bowling with the wind coming from cover on saturday and was bowling absolute banana balls, they were swinging a mile. Not loopy either like medium pacers they were pretty quick.

Anyway I will just try bowling not too close but reasonably close to the stumps, about halfway between the stumps and the return crease.

Are you using a two-piece or a 4-piece?

[bond21]

Originally Posted by Son Of Coco

Are you using a two-piece or a 4-piece?

2 piece. Although we use a 4 piece in the higher grades.

I actually prefer a 4 piece because it doesnt swing as much.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by bond21

2 piece. Although we use a 4 piece in the higher grades.

I actually prefer a 4 piece because it doesnt swing as much.

I haven't bowled with a two piece for a while, but they do tend to swing everywhere.