Bowling: An act of fielding

27 May, 2016 - 00:05 0 Views

The ManicaPost

On the point with Aubrey Kamba

THE comparison I made on cricket and hwishu was so that those that did not understand the game of cricket could easily relate. It does seem a lot of people got the concept because I am getting feedback every time I walk into a shop or on the streets of Mutare. There seem to be some keen interest from the public. A resident, George Sisimayi said I have to keep on writing to make people understand the game and not to be just one dimensional people in terms of sport.
He said the way people flock to Sakubva Stadium is the way they should flock to Mutare Sports Club for a T20 match.
Cornelius Rusanga who works in Makoni District called me asking if there is any rural cricket because he is teaching at a school in that area and would want his students to play the game. Who knows, maybe the next Andy Flower or Tatenda Taibu or Tendai Chatara is in some rural area throwing stones at birds. This left we to wonder why there is no cricket in rural areas.
Now down to the business of the day, last week I looked at the basic fielding ways in catching, intercepting and throwing the ball. This week I will be looking at bowling, which is an act of fielding itself. The first important thing when coaching or learning bowling is that the player adopts the correct grip.
THE BASIC GRIP
The method is to have the seam vertical. Thumb on edge of seam; first two fingers slightly apart; third finger bent and supporting ball. Having done this, the whole skill should be taught in a simplified form, using the following steps.
Bowling from the Coil Position
The coil position is a very important part of learning how to bowl as a learner. This is a simple position that does not require a run up but simply standing in one position.
The objective is to introduce the bowling action to beginners or those that want to teach or coach kids. Method: Raise front arm. Look over shoulder with bowling hand across chest then Lean back. Lift front knee and arch back slightly and then look down intended line of delivery. Swing bowling arm downwards and then backwards. Swing front arm forwards then Stamp down with front foot and continue rotation of arms. Keep front arm close to body. Straighten front leg, keep head upright. Release ball as arm passes head this is very important to note that there is need know when and what time to release ball. Keep hand behind ball. Swing front arm high behind body. Follow-through with bowling arm right across the body. Bring back leg through, bent and close to other leg. Bowling shoulder points to target. Follow-through by taking steps forward.
Run Up and Bound
A run up is the distance a bowler marks so that he can run to gain momentum before he bowls the ball. This distance usually differs with the type of bowling action, with fast bowlers usually having longer run ups and then the spin bowlers with the shortest run ups. The medium pace bowlers are usually in the middle of the spin and the fast bowlers.
One needs to concentrate on line of delivery with a Smooth rhythmical approach. Accelerate gradually with good control of speed. Bound (spring) off left foot and raise both arms then turn 90 degrees in air. One has to Land in coil position leaning back from batsman. Repeat bowling action. Practise bowling with a smooth and economical run-up and easy rhythmical well balanced delivery, finishing with a deliberate and fluent follow-through.
THE OUTSWING OR AWAY SWING
Note that for one to outswing the ball it is important that the ball used has a good seam
The Grip
The seam should be vertical but pointing at slips. Side of thumb on centre seam. First two fingers should be on either sides of seam. Polished side of ball to leg side
The Action
Bowler to bowl from close to stumps and looks over front shoulder behind front arm. The back foot parallel with crease and front foot lands to leg side of back foot. High delivery, hand behind ball. There should be Emphasis on good follow-through of bowling arm and shoulder
THE IN-SWING
The in-swing and the outswing are 2 very exciting ways of bowling because they show a lot of play between the ball and the surface. These bowling acts are also difficult to do but with good coaching and perseverance one can be able to do a good swing of the ball.
The Grip
Method: Hold the ball with the polished side on the off side. Seam vertical but pointing to leg side. Ball of thumb against seam. First two fingers close together on seam.
The Action
Bowl from a wider position on crease. Open coil – more chest on and then look inside arm. The back foot points down pitch and the front foot in line with or outside back foot. High bowling arm on release and one should feel as though pushing ball to leg side. Bowling arm does not follow through across body
OFF SPIN AND LEFT ARM ORTHODOX
SPIN (FINGER SPIN)
Note than an off break spins the ball from off to leg, rotating clockwise from the bowler. The left arm spinner moves the ball from leg to off.
The Grip
One should hold ball in between first and second fingers. Seam at right angles to the fingers. Top joints across seam and knuckles of first finger and second finger grip seam. Do not use thumb to hold ball
The Action
There should be a shortish run up. Good coil position; look behind arm and a short delivery stride. Front foot slightly across to leg side. High delivery, head up. Pivot on ball of front foot. Twist hand clockwise and flick ball with first finger. Pull bowling arm across the body and Spin ball clockwise by turning hand upwards and then finish with palm upwards
LEG SPIN OR CHINAMAN
NB A leg break spins from leg to off, rotating anti-clockwise from bowler. A left arm wrist spinner rotates the ball clockwise and is said to bowl ‘Chinaman’.
The Grip
Method: Seam at right angles to fingers. First two fingers spread; first joints on seam. Third finger bent along seam.
The Action
Shortish run up and maintain a good coil position. Look over shoulder with wrist bent in towards forearm. Place front foot to leg side of back foot and keep head up. High delivery and hold wrist back. Pivot around front foot and flick wrist forward.
Pull down with first finger and straighten third finger. Flick third finger straight as ball is released and continue across body, palm downwards.
These bowling actions are the fundamentals that every bowler in the world has used from day 1 till they become professionals.
If one goes through these paces one will succeed in their quest to play the game of cricket. These are fundamentals that are universal. Next week I will be looking at the batting aspect of cricket that is the types of strokes that are played in the beautiful game.
For feedback just send me a message on WhatsApp or text message on 0778712404 or email on [email protected]

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