Bowling Strategy (cricket) - One Day Internationals

One Day Internationals

After bowling the first few overs of the match, fast bowlers usually return to bowl the last 10 overs (40th-50th). There is no fixed rule as to when a bowler can bowl, as long as he bowls a maximum 10 overs. He is not allowed to bowl 2 or more consecutive overs.

Usually the best fast bowlers bowl the last few overs. This tactic is employed to try to prevent the batsmen 'going after' the spinners and scoring many runs. Usually the batsmen will play more aggressively during the final few overs, since they are less concerned with getting out, and more concerned with maximising the number of runs scored.

After the 15 overs are up, the game tempo usually slows down a bit. There aren't too many boundaries (4s and 6s) hit. After the 35th over, the batsmen tend to be more aggressive to score quickly, so during this period, the most experienced bowlers bowl. The last 15 overs are known as the slog or death overs. As the batsmen are looking to hit as many big hits as possible, bowlers get hit around and their economy rate worsens. However this is also the most productive part of the game for the bowlers as wickets tumble here.

If the team bowling in the second innings have a good total to defend, they may try to slow the run rate rather than bowling aggressively to take wickets. This can cause the batting team to begin taking unnecessary risks and result in wickets falling. Taking wickets is crucial to win the match as the more wickets the opposition have in hand (not-out batsmen) the greater the chances of the batsmen scoring runs rapidly. If the bowlers are defending less than say 200 runs, wicket taking is imperative to win the match. Bowlers must remember that there is a strong correlation between the batting side losing wickets and a slowing of their run rate. Two new batsmen at the crease always have to consolidate and more often than not the run rate will slow.