Fast Bowling
- The seam should be vertical, the side of the thumb on the underneath of the ball, resting on the seam.
- The index (first) and middle fingers on either side of the seam, as shown.
- Don't grip the ball in the palm of your hand, but fairly loosely as pictured above. (Reference)
- Stand side-on. Your bowling arm should be furthest away from the batter.
- Stretch your arms out to the sides and lift your front arm up high and look over your shoulder at the batter.
- Rock away from the batter by lifting up your front leg.
- Rock forward keeping both arms straight.
- Release the ball quickly at the highest point of delivery, keeping your head steady and your eyes fixed on the target.
- After release take a step forward. Your bowling arm should fold to body and finish outside front knee and your front arm should break away behind.
- Keep your head upright and eyes fixed on target.
Off-Spin Bowling
For the right-handed bowler, the Off-Spin delivery spins from a right-handers off-side to leg-side (Left to Right). For a left-handed bowler, the ball will spin from the batsman's leg-side to off-side (Right to Left). A left-handed Off-Spin bowler bowls a delivery called Left Arm Orthodox.
- Grip of the ball is the important factor. Hold the ball across the seam under your index and second fingers.
- Spin is created as you roll the ball out of your hand, using your index (First Finger).
- The aim is to bowl the ball in a way that it hits the seam and then spins as described in this introduction.
- You should aim to get extra spin by rotating the shoulders and following through with the back leg.
- Keep your head up and your eyes on the target to watch what the batsman is doing. For instance if they come down the wicket you can bowl a quicker or different delivery to get them stumped.
Leg-Spin Bowling
For the right-handed bowler, the Leg-Spin delivery spins from a right-handers leg-side to off-side (right-left). For a left-handed bowler, the ball will spin from the batsmans off-side to leg-side (left - right) A left-handed Leg-Spin bowler bowls a ball called a Chinaman.
(Fareham and Crofton Cricket Club, n.d.)
- Basic three fingered grip, no thumb (optional). Fingers running across the seam of the ball.
- Use your third finger to spin the ball.
- Rolling the fingers over the top of the ball with seam pointing upwards. (out of the back/side of the hand)
- Turn the ball right to left (legside to offside) for a right handed batsman. Opposite for a left arm orthodox bowler.
- Angled run up of a couple of paces.
- Braced front leg, Back foot parallel to the crease, hips and shoulders in line.
- Eyes on target into the coil position, high non bowling arm.
- Complete shoulder rotation, release ball at 2 O’clock at 45 degrees.
- Head is upright.
- Pivot on front foot.
- Back leg drives through around front leg.
- Into a ready position for a return catch.
(Fareham and Crofton Cricket Club, n.d.)