Reverse Swing
- Pakistan's gift to modern day cricket.
The story says that the Pakistani stalwart Sarfaraz Nawaz, discovered the art and passed it on. Today it is one of the most important features in cricket. Mastery of this art can have prodigious effects on the game. Famous two Ws of Pakistan, Wasim and Waqar achieved miraculous wins this swing. Grip is on display here to get movement with an old ball. Remember, some work should be done on the ball to keep one side glossy and the other retaining its natural roughness, then the ball starts reverse swinging in the direction of the shiny side. It is common to see a more pronounced swing with reverse than normal swing. Very important to have a good, basic bowling action, and for best results you need to be quick in the air, hence a great body effort is required. The wrist again should be firm behind the ball. Pushing at the ball to achieve that speed in the air. Crucial here, is the direction in which the ball is released because the ball has a big late movement. In case of the incoming delivery, do keep the ball wide outside the off stump, so when the swing finished it should be hitting the stumps. Length must be very full. Waqar Younis is a master of this particular delivery. Off course, needs hard work and skill.
But when you have it you have a trump card up your sleeve!