How to Reverse Swing a Cricket Ball

Co-authored by Rishabh Mehan and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 8, 2023 Approved

When a cricket ball moves through the air, it moves toward or away from the batsman.^{[1]
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Research source} This is referred to as the swing of the ball. However, as a ball is used through the game, it starts to wear and it can be used for a “reverse swing.” During a reverse swing, the ball moves in the opposite direction than what the batsman expects. By polishing the ball and preparing your throw, you can successfully bowl a reverse swing!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Keeping the Ball Polished

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Choose one side of the ball to keep polished and shiny. Leave the other side of the ball alone so that it develops wear and tear throughout the rest of the match. If 1 side has visible wear on it after 5 overs, polish the opposite side.^{[2]
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Gather sweat or saliva from your body. Wipe the sweat off your skin from your forehead, arms, and neck. You can also collect sweat from your underarms or the small of your back to wet your hands.
- Occasionally lick your fingers to use as moisture for polishing the ball.
- It’s illegal in the game to use any foreign substance to polish the ball. This includes any residual sunscreen you may be wearing. Umpires and other players will keep an eye out for this. If you are caught using an illegal substance to polish the ball, you’ll be fined and banned from the match.
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Polish 1 side of the ball with your fingers. After you collect sweat or saliva on your hands, rub the leather on 1 side. Work the moisture across the whole side, including the area right next to the stitches in the middle of the ball.
- Shining only part of the side will result in a less polished ball and will not reverse swing as effectively.
4
Shine the side of the ball on your pants. Use the area where your leg meets your groin. Bend your leg slightly to make a crease in your pants. Rub the shiny side of the ball against your pants until it’s dry.
- It’s common to see red stains on bowlers’ pants after they polish a ball.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Bowling for a Reverse Swing

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1
Start bowling a reverse swing after the ball has gone through 25-30 overs. Continue to polish 1 side of the ball throughout the match and let the other side develop wear and tear. The leather on the ball will look distinctly different on each side of the stitches.^{[3]
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- Air flow quicker around the rough side of the ball while the smooth side creates suction, pulling the ball in that direction.^{[4]
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Hold the ball with the seams pointing toward the slips fielder. The slips fielder stands directly behind the wicketkeeper. Line the stitches up so they are directed towards the first slip. This shouldn’t look any different from a regular pitch to the batsman.^{[5]
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- Don’t change the style you’re using while you bowl since it could be a giveaway that you’re trying a new technique.
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Point the rough side of the ball toward the batsman. The shiny side will face in the opposite direction. The ball will swing to the direction that the shiny side is facing even though the batsman will expect it to swing towards the rough side.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, point the shiny side of the ball towards the batsman for the ball to swing away from them.
Cock your wrist back and keep it locked in place as you begin to bowl the ball. This helps the ball roll off of your fingers once you’re ready to throw it.^{[7]
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A reverse swing will only work when they are thrown at high speeds. Follow through completely with your throwing arm so it ends on the opposite side of your body.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I maintain my line and length?

Rishabh Mehan
Cricket Coach
Rishabhn Mehan is a Cricket Systems Operator in the United Kingdom. He has been coaching cricket in London since 2016, when he received his Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Young People and Adults Cricket (QCF).

Rishabh Mehan

Cricket Coach

Expert Answer

Through practice drills. Aim to work on your line and length regularly in practice to get better.

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How can I get better at predicting where a ball will land while playing cricket?

Rishabh Mehan
Cricket Coach
Rishabhn Mehan is a Cricket Systems Operator in the United Kingdom. He has been coaching cricket in London since 2016, when he received his Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Young People and Adults Cricket (QCF).

Rishabh Mehan

Cricket Coach

Expert Answer

By doing practice drills. Place cones at certain lengths and practice bowling at these lengths.

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How can I increase my pace?

Rishabh Mehan
Cricket Coach
Rishabhn Mehan is a Cricket Systems Operator in the United Kingdom. He has been coaching cricket in London since 2016, when he received his Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Young People and Adults Cricket (QCF).

Rishabh Mehan

Cricket Coach

Expert Answer

By either becoming stronger or having a quick arm motion through your action.

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Tips

Watch other players who exploit the reverse swing, such as James Anderson of England, to improve your technique.

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Reverse swings can be accomplished with a new ball if the pitch is over 95 miles (153 km) per hour, but this rarely achieved.

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Practice bowling reverse swings with an old ball in a training net to get a feel for it.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Don't bowl too fast, especially at first. You want to get the swing and rhythm down before trying to bowl fast.
Always point the seam, as well as the rough side, in the direction that you want the ball to go in.
Hold the ball with a loose grip. This simple tip definitely improved my accuracy!

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Warnings

Do not tamper with the roughness of the ball beyond normal wear and tear.

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Do not add any other substances to the ball when you are polishing it, as this is illegal.

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