Finger spin
In this article, we will describe a pitch called the finger spin. In cricket, such throws are used very often. Some types of innings have appeared in cricket for a long time. Read what delivery methods are available with finger spin. We also present the first and most popular players associated with these serves.
Finger spin – general information
Bowling in cricket is one of the most important actions in the game. The player who serves the batsman is called the bowler. The process itself is bowling. Today, there are many options for the execution of serves. We will try to disassemble the throws called finger spin briefly in this article.
In fact, the name finger spin is not entirely correct; the fingers in such serves do not spin the ball. The throw will be justified if the bowler’s hand is turned towards the batsman, and the ball is securely held in the palm of the hand with the index and middle fingers (which also look out towards the throw). If you hold this hand position until the throw, your fingers will naturally twist the ball, and it will begin to rotate towards the clock side (for a right-handed bowler).
You can also add extra spin to the throw. It is necessary to work as actively as possible by turning the hand at the very release of the ball, plus bend and unbend the wrist. Two simple steps will increase the spin effect. By the way, the slower the bowler serves the balls, the more he must spin the ball because, at low speed, it is necessary to spin the ball better to maintain the same rotation speed.
Basically, it doesn’t matter if you are left-handed or right-handed; the finger spin is performed in the same way. However, it is customary to separate such bowlers since the direction in which the ball flies after rebounding from the pitch is different:
- For right-handed bowlers, the throw is called off spin;
- For left-handed bowlers – left-arm orthodox spin.
Off-spin is a form of finger spin throw. A bowler who uses this pitch is called an off spinner. With such throws, the ball rotates from left to right and, upon contact with the ground, also changes its trajectory with a sharp rebound to the right side. Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the most famous players to hit more wickets with off-spin.
The left-arm orthodox spin is exactly the same throw, but only with the left hand. The rotation, in this case, occurs from right to left (from the side of the bowler). With a right-handed batsman, the pitchers try to drift the ball in the air. Rangana Herath and Daniel Vettori are considered one of the best bowlers in modern times, who knocked out many wickets with the help of the left-arm orthodox spin.
In addition, there are other types of finger spin feeds:
- Arm ball. As the name suggests, the ball is moving straight in the direction of the hand. Such a ball has reverse rotation and practically does not change its trajectory upon contact with the ground. Usually, these throws are performed by left-handed bowlers. If the batsman is expecting a throw with a strong spin, then he may be in a very unfortunate situation for himself;
- Topspinner. In serves, the bowler gives the ball top spin. Due to its natural physical properties, the air turns more strongly the underside of the ball during this rotation. The difference between the sides creates a downward force. It means the ball falls faster and shorter. In addition, the ball after the bounce flies much higher than the batsman expects. The serve topspinner forces the batsman to come forward, leaving the attacking wicket unprotected;
- Undercutter. Serve when the ball is held horizontally by the seam. It turns out a sliding throw towards the batsman. Such feeds are rarely used now;
- Doosra. Throws in this style represent a special type of off spinner delivery. Bowler serves the ball with the same wrist action. He locks the wrist during the throw itself and uses his index and ring (instead of middle) fingers to throw. Thanks to this, the ball rotates in the opposite direction of the off-spin serve and, when it rebounds, flies next to the batsman’s feet (with such a throw, you can easily knock down the wicket). Pakistani player Aslam Khan invented the Doosra throw. Many bowlers used this throw in test matches. However, most of them are forbidden to throw doosra since they perform illegal actions when serving (the hand does not fully straighten at the elbow, less than the allowable norm);
- Teesra. The feed is also known as Jalebi. When thrown, the ball is held in the same way as with an off-spin. In this case, instead of turning the hand at the moment of the throw, the bowler does not squeeze the ball with his fingers. When flying, the batsman will feel that the ball’s trajectory will change significantly, but it will not. Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq invented Teesra.
- Carrom ball. This feed was first used in the 1940s. When thrown, the ball passes between the thumb, forefinger and middle finger, and instead of the usual throw, the bowler tries to squeeze the ball out (as if he is trying to snap his fingers). Carrom ball can fly and rotate in any direction. It is believed that this throw is one of the most difficult in the series with spins. The first player to use carrom ball was Australian Jack Iverson. In the 1970s, this method was forgotten, and only more than 35 years later (in 2008), they began to use carrom ball again actively.
Let’s also introduce some other elements for a good finger spin:
- Release the ball with your weight over your front leg. This will force the bowler to throw the ball from the maximum height;
- Vertical shoulder rotation (for right-handed bowlers);
- Bowlers can figuratively pull the chain with their right hand while serving. It helps to get the right wrist position;
- Leaning back slightly before the last step will give the ball more speed.
By the way, one of the most famous finger spin players was the Englishman Derek Underwood. Since 2009, he has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
You can bet on your favorite team with Dafabet promo code.
