Reverse swing
Reverse swing is one of the techniques used by swing bowlers in cricket. It is based on the principle of reverse rotation of the ball.
Principles and Mechanics of Reverse Swing
The essence of traditional swing bowling is to give the projectile an unpredictable trajectory on the pitch. This trajectory should confuse the player with the bat, and ideally, it should either send him out or ruin the wicket. As a general rule, fast bowlers prefer to use brand-new balls that have not been used before.
This gives them the ability to polish one of the sides of the ball at their own discretion, such as by using saliva or rubbing it on clothing. Changing the physical properties of the ball, in conjunction with a slightly changed grip, not only makes it feasible to experiment with the pace at which the ball is served, but it also makes it possible to make the direction of the ball as difficult to predict as possible for the batter.
When performing a cricket reverse swing, it is not necessary to utilize a new ball that is required. When compared to the original bullet, the aerodynamics of more worn-out projectiles are much different, which is another reason why players often like them. Consequently, if the rough side twists with a conventional swing serve, then the projectile will naturally begin to deviate in the other direction after about fifty overs have passed at this point.
Reverse Swing: Techniques and Tactical Use
Many swing bowlers try everything in their power to speed up the process of ball wear, despite the fact that it is an entirely natural process. Other substances from the list of compounds that are forbidden by law may also be used for this purpose, in addition to saliva or perspiration. Some examples of these substances are vaseline, hair gel, sunscreen, and other similar products. Through the process of penetrating the porous surface of the projectile, they speed up the deformation of the projectile.
This, in turn, enables you to increase the surface area of the polished side while simultaneously lowering the static effect. Therefore, while using reverse swing, the twisting occurs gradually, which makes it difficult for the batter to detect the proper direction in which the ball is traveling.
The reverse swing, on the other hand, may also be executed with a new ball, provided that the player is able to accelerate the ball to a speed of at least 145 kilometers per hour. In this particular scenario, the separation of the airflow that is flowing around the projectile takes place early, and the side of the ball that is polished begins to move first, while the side that is rough progressively slows down. Therefore, the curve of the reverse swing is directly dependent on the following:
- The grip used;
- Methods of throwing;
- Speed.
Generally speaking, the reverse swing is not only more forceful than the regular swing, but it is also often regarded as one of the most sneaky serves. The reality of the matter is that batsmen are only exposed to reverse swing on a very rare basis, which means that not all of them can brag of having the essential expertise that would enable them to properly block it. Additionally, bowlers who utilize reverse swing in cricket often make the work of the opponent more difficult by compelling the ball to shift its trajectory not at an early stage but rather closer to the person who is holding the bat. This may be accomplished in two different ways:
- By sending a projectile along the S-trajectory;
- Forcing it to deviate more to the side without changing the direction of flight.
Both options greatly complicate the task of the batsman. Therefore, in the first scenario, he is often able to strike the appropriate position from his vantage point, and he is not prepared for a sudden shift in the trajectory of the ball. When it comes to the second scenario, he may make a mistake with the angle of rotation of the bat or fail to assess the power of the pitch, both of which significantly enhance the likelihood of a leg before wicket.
Reverse swing in Cricket: History and Famous Practitioners
The fact that Pakistani bowlers were the first to promote reverse swing is an intriguing fact to consider. At first, they were accused of engaging in conduct that was not considered to be sportsmanlike since batters were unable to accurately predict the trajectory of such a pitch. Experimenting with direction, pace, and trajectory, changing hands, and attempting to cover the ball with the palm of their hand in an effort to fool the opponent were all things that the representatives of the attack were not going to do in order to make things simpler for them.
According to Shaharyar Khan, the actual inventor of the cricket reverse swing is Saleem Mir, who taught it to his colleague Sarfraz Nawaz during his performances for Punjab Cricket Club (Lahore). Nawaz, in turn, used reverse swing for the first time internationally, sharing the features of the technique with Imran Khan, who later passed them on to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Other reverse swing masters include Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones (both from England), Zahir Khan and Ajit Agarkar (both from India).
This is interesting: Wasim Akram consistently used two types of reverse swing in the 1992 World Cup final, which allowed the Pakistan national team to turn the tide of the game.
