Fast bowling

Fast bowling, sometimes known as pace bowling, is one of the two approaches to bowling in the sport of cricket. The other is spin bowling. Practitioners are usually known as fast bowlers or pace bowlers although sometimes the label used refers to the specific fast bowling technique that bowler prefers, such as swing bowler, seam bowler or strike bowler.

Technique in fast bowling

The first thing a fast bowler needs to do is to grip the ball correctly. The basic fast bowling grip to achieve maximum speed is to hold the ball with the seam upright and to place the index and middle fingers close together at the top of the seam with the thumb gripping the ball at the bottom of the seam. The image to the right shows the correct grip. The first two fingers and the thumb should hold the ball forward of the rest of the hand, and the other two fingers should be tucked into the palm. Other grips are possible, and result in different balls - see swing and seam bowling below. The bowler will usually hold his other hand over the hand gripping the ball until the latest possible moment so that the batsman cannot see what type of grip he is employing and prepare accordingly.

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A fast bowler needs to take a long run-up toward the wicket in order to generate the momentum required to bowl a fast delivery. Fast bowlers will measure their preferred run up in strides and mark the distance from the wicket. It is important for the bowler to know exactly how long his run-up is because it needs to terminate at the popping crease. If the bowler steps over this, he will have bowled a no ball.

Related Topics:
Popping crease - No ball

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At the end of the run-up the bowler will bring his lead foot down on the pitch with the knee as straight as possible. This aids in generating speed but can be dangerous due to the pressure placed on the joint by this action. Knee injuries are not uncommon amongst fast bowlers: for example the English pace bowler David Lawrence was sidelined for many months after splitting his kneecap in two. The pressure on the leading foot is such that some fast bowlers cut the front off their shoes to stop their toes from being injured as they are repeatedly pressed against the inside of the shoe. The bowler will then bring his bowling arm up over his head and release the ball at the height appropriate to where he wants the ball to pitch. Again, the arm must be straight although this is a stipulation of the laws of cricket rather than an aid to speed. Bending the elbow and "chucking" the ball would make it too easy for the bowler to aim accurately at the batsmans wicket and get him out.

Related Topics:
Knee - English - Kneecap - Laws of cricket

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Fast bowlers tend to have an action which leaves them either side-on or chest-on at the end of the run up. While this does not affect the speed at which they bowl, it can limit the style of balls that they can bowl. Effective swing bowling usually requires a side-on action.

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After the ball has been released, the bowler follows through at the end of his action. This involves veering to the side so as not to tread on the pitch and taking a few more strides to slow down. Striding on to the pitch at the end of a delivery can damage the surface resulting in rough patches which spin bowlers can exploit to get extra turn on the ball and doing so is illegal according to the laws of the game. Bowlers who persistantly run onto the pitch can be warned, with three warnings disqualifiying a bowler from bowling again during the innings.

Related Topics:
Spin bowlers - Innings

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