If swing bowling is an art, then reverse swing is the masterpiece of a bowler’s collection.
Many great fast bowlers have tried their hand at reverse swing but only a few have truly mastered it. The likes of Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar have been the biggest proponents in world cricket. South Africa’s Dale Steyn and Charl Langeveldt have also been successful with this delivery.
To understand reverse swing, a cricketer must firstly be able to understand the basics of conventional swing bowling. Firstly, the bowler’s grip on the ball is important. The direction of the seam and the wrist action will make the ball swing either in or out. Swing also depends on the bowlers build and his or her bowling action, a side-on action will create more swing, especially if it a slinging action.
Conventional swing normally happens most often when the ball is still new and shiny in the first 15 overs.
Reverse swing, on the other hand, occurs when the ball is roughed up on one side through wear and tear and the other side stays shiny. Reverse swing will not occur until the ball is at least 40-45 overs old. The ball will swing towards the shiny side and will be far more pronounced than conventional swing. Fielders and bowlers will shine the ball with saliva to make sure it stays shiny on one side. As a result of the air moving to the shiny side, the ball will also move in the opposite direction, hence, the swing will be reversed.
This is a very effective weapon and, when done right, can send the opposition batsman into disarray. Many batsmen have encountered the wrath of a toe-crushing reverse swinging yorker!
