How To Bowl A Reverse Swing In Cricket? (Bowl It Like Wasim Akram)

Cricket is a game of fine skills, and one of the most fascinating techniques in the sport is reverse swing. It has the power to turn matches around, leaving batsmen perplexed and bowlers in a triumphant state. But do you know how to bowl a reverse swing like Wasim Akram?

To bowl a reverse swing, maintain one side of the ball shiny while preserving the other side rough, and release the ball with a consistent action and seam position to generate late movement in the opposite direction to conventional swing. Practice and experimentation with grip, seam angle, and release points will help in achieving the desired reverse swing effect.

Wasim Akram, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, perfected this delivery like no one else. However, modern pacers are also using this awesome delivery to make the batsman spellbound.

What Is Reverse Swing?

Reverse swing is a phenomenon in cricket where a cricket ball, after a certain number of overs, starts to move in the opposite direction to the conventional swing.

Instead of swinging towards the shiny side, it swings towards the rough side, making it exceptionally challenging for even for the greatest batsmen to predict and counteract.

Is Reverse Swing Even Legal In Cricket?

Reverse swing is indeed legal in cricket as long as it is achieved naturally without any external substances to alter the condition of the ball. The governing body of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has strict regulations against ball tampering, which includes the use of foreign substances to manipulate the ball’s condition.

Reverse swing, when achieved through natural wear and tear of the ball, is considered a legitimate and skillful aspect of the game. It adds an intriguing dimension to the battle between bowlers and batsmen, making cricket even more captivating for fans worldwide.

Who Invented Reverse Swing?

Reverse swing is said to have been pioneered by the Pakistani fast bowlers Sarfaraz Nawaz and Imran Khan in the 1970s.

They discovered that by maintaining one side of the ball shiny and preserving the other side rough, they could manipulate its flight and movement.

Wasim Akram then perfected this delivery during his heydays. And now, popular cricketers like Shaheen Afridi use this delivery to shock the opponent.

Ideal Bowling Action For Reverse Swing

While bowlers with various actions can generate reverse swing, those with a relatively side-on or sling-arm action tend to be more successful.

Such actions allow the bowlers to release the ball at a unique angle, making it difficult for batsmen to pick up the change in swing.

Many bowlers also adopted distinct bowling actions while delivering a reverse swing. We can even see these unconventional styles while someone bowls a doosra or a teesra.

Step-by-Step Guide To Bowling A Perfect Reverse Swing

• Preserve The Shine: Keep one side of the ball shiny by polishing it with sweat or saliva. This side will become the “rough” side later on.
• Maintain The Rough Side: Allow the other side of the ball to roughen up naturally by bouncing it off the pitch, using the abrasive outfield, or by rubbing it on the trousers.
• Bowling Grip: Hold the ball with the seam upright and slightly angled towards the rough side.
• Seam Position: Aim to generate asymmetry by tilting the seam slightly towards the leg side or towards the slip fielders, depending on the desired swing direction.
• Maintain A Consistent Release Point: Deliver the ball with the same action and release point you would for a conventional swing, focusing on maintaining the shine on one side and the roughness on the other.
• Vary The Pace: Experiment with changes in pace to deceive the batsmen and further enhance the effectiveness of reverse swing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Applying excessive saliva or other substances to the ball leads to tampering or breaching the laws of the game.
• Neglecting the preservation of shine and roughness, resulting in a minimal swing.
• Inconsistent release points and actions that give away the intention to bowl reverse swing.
• Overusing or underusing the delivery of reverse swing, failing to surprise the batsman effectively.

One-Week Training Plan for Reverse Swing

To develop and refine your reverse swing skills, follow this training plan:

• Day 1: Focus on grip and seam position while bowling in the nets.
• Day 2: Practice preserving shine and roughness in different weather conditions.
• Day 3: Bowl with variations in pace, keeping the swing intact.
• Day 4: Analyze video footage of experienced reverse swing bowlers.
• Day 5: Experiment with different angles of seam position and observe the resultant swing.
• Day 6: Simulate match scenarios and develop tactics to use reverse swing effectively.
• Day 7: Fine-tune your techniques by bowling to experienced batsmen in a net session.

Top 5 Bowlers Known For Their Reverse Swing

Wasim Akram (Pakistan)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Pakistani athletes of all time, Wasim Akram mastered the art of reverse swing. He was a true magician with the ball, capable of making it talk in both conventional and reverse swing.

Akram’s ability to swing the ball late at high speeds troubled batsmen worldwide. His mastery of reverse swing, combined with his impeccable control and variations, made him a nightmare for opponents.

He played a crucial role in Pakistan’s success during the 1992 World Cup and remains an inspiration for aspiring bowlers.

Waqar Younis (Pakistan)

Another legendary Pakistani fast bowler, Waqar Younis, was a pioneer of reverse swing in the 1990s. Together with Wasim Akram, he formed a formidable partnership that tormented batsmen around the globe.

Known for his lethal yorkers and exceptional pace, Waqar utilized reverse swing to devastating effect. His ability to generate sharp late movement troubled even the most accomplished batsmen.

Waqar’s reverse swinging toe-crushing yorkers are etched in cricketing folklore, earning him a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest exponents of this skill.

Glenn McGrath (Australia)

While primarily known for his metronomic accuracy and seam movement, Glenn McGrath also possessed a superb command over reverse swing. The Australian fast bowler’s ability to swing the ball both ways made him a nightmare for batsmen across formats.

With his immaculate line and length, McGrath could extract late swing with subtle variations in release and seam position.

His control and consistency while bowling reverse swing contributed to his remarkable success, as he became the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket.

James Anderson (England)

A modern-day great and the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket, James Anderson has showcased his mastery of reverse swing over the years.

Anderson’s ability to extract prodigious swing, both conventional and reverse, has made him a menace for batsmen in English conditions. With his smooth and rhythmic action, he generates late movement, often snaring wickets with the reverse-swinging delivery.

Anderson’s relentless pursuit of perfection and his skill to manipulate the ball’s movement have established him as one of the best reverse swing bowlers of his generation.

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Known for his blistering pace and aggressive approach, Dale Steyn is also recognized for his ability to generate reverse swing. Steyn’s fierce bowling combined raw pace, accurate line and length, and the capability to make the ball deviate unpredictably.

His reverse-swinging deliveries could dart in late or hold their line, creating immense trouble for batsmen.

Steyn’s skillful execution of reverse swing, often at express pace, earned him numerous accolades and made him one of the most feared bowlers of his era.

Final Note

Enrolling in a sports academy specializing in cricket can significantly aid your journey to mastering the reverse swing. Such academies provide access to expert coaches who can offer personalized guidance, state-of-the-art facilities for practice, video analysis to identify areas of improvement, and simulated match scenarios to test your skills.

Additionally, training with like-minded individuals and exposure to competitive environments can accelerate your progress and help you refine your technique.