Reverse Swing - When The Ball Reverses

When The Ball Reverses

Since reverse swing favors the older ball, it will usually start to move around the 40-over mark. However, England's bowlers during the 2005 Ashes were able to make the ball reverse swing after just 15-20 overs. Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has found reverse swing in Adelaide on the 30-over mark.

During the 2009 T20 World Cup Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul managed to get reverse swing after just 11 overs.

An important factor to consider is the pitch and it can determine the swing of the ball. The Indian sub-continent pitches are rougher and dustier than pitches elsewhere in the world. Hence, Pakistani sub-continent bowlers obtain reverse-swing after only 10 overs. On the pitches in Australia and New Zealand, there is significantly less and wear and tear on the ball. Thus, the manner in which the ball is hit by the batsmen is much more important in determining degree and likelihood of reverse swing. South Africa presents the same picture, where reverse-swing is rarely seen. England, however has seen some change in pitch conditions in the last decade and bowlers use that to reverse swing their deliveries earlier.

It is often heard that players employ various subtle techniques to prepone/exaggerate reverse swing. These include identifying the chewing gum best suited for polishing shiny side, always throwing the ball on bounce (from fielder to fielder) so that it deteriorates quickly, using rough objects (nails etc) to open the seam up and so on. While manipulating seam is illegal in cricket, other innovative practices continue.

Like football, each manufacturer's cricket balls are different. Some have more pronounced seams while others deteriorate slower, both of which have an influence on how the ball will move in the air.