How to Bowl an Outswinger in Cricket

Co-authored by Rishabh Mehan

Last Updated: October 26, 2022 Approved

The outswinger is one of cricket’s best attacking deliveries to both baffle and oust batsmen. In general, swing bowls utilize both the position of the ball’s seam and the varying smoothness of either side; the rougher side will encounter greater air resistance, which will make the ball swing in a particular direction as it travels through the air. When pitched by a right-handed bowler to a right-handed batsman, an out swing will make the ball curve toward the bowler’s left as it approaches the opposing batsman, increasing the likelihood that, when hit, the ball will be caught by either the bowler's fellow wicket-keeper or slip fielders.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing the Ball

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Aerodynamics play a crucial role in swing bowls, and the longer a ball has been in use, the more its surface changes over time. Balls that have been in use for 20 years or more tend to effect a “reverse swing,” which means that the technique used to pitch a natural outswinger may result in an inswinger instead. ^{[1]
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The primary seam of a cricket ball runs along the ball’s center, creating two halves. Polishing one half will decrease air resistance on that side, causing the ball to swing in the direction of its other, rougher side when thrown. ^{[2]
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Rub it in with your trousers. Repeat frequently throughout the game, in between each delivery. ^{[3]
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Encourage them to shine the ball further while it’s in their possession during the match. ^{[4]
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Part 2

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Gripping the Ball

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Rather than keeping the primary seam vertical, it should be angled slightly away from the batter.
The aim of the out swing is to force the batsman to strike the ball away from his body, on his “off side.” Since the ball will swing in the direction of its rough side, grip the ball with the rough half facing the batsman’s off side. ^{[5]
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Spread your index and middle fingers slightly apart from each other along the seam on top. ^{[6]
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^{[7]
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Research source} The ball will swing wherever you aim the seam, so angling the seam away from the batsman, at a 15-20º toward the slips, will send the ball towards them instead of directly at the batsman. ^{[8]
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Part 3

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Running up to Bowl

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More distance will allow you to build momentum for a powerful delivery.
Your body’s momentum will instinctively follow the direction in which your head is aimed. Hold your head steady with your eyes fixed on your target. ^{[9]
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Speed alone can deliver a powerful bowl, but a steady rhythm helps, too. Keep your speed consistent and your motions fluid, balanced, and relaxed. ^{[10]
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^{[11]
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Part 4

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Bowling the Ball

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^{[13]
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Research source} Once bowled, the ball should ideally begin to swing late in its delivery. Decrease the distance between yourself and the batsman before you bowl to ensure that the ball doesn’t swing too soon.
Aim at either the stump itself or very close to it. ^{[14]
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Keep it high at first. Then, as you bowl, pull it straight down, close to your body. This will keep the front of your body clear for your bowling arm to follow through after the ball’s release.
Pitch it while your bowling arm is still high. When you release the ball, angle your wrist down and across the ball toward the slips. Follow through by bringing your bowling arm down across your body so that your fingers touch your other armpit.

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How do I control the ball?

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Focus where you want the ball and try to keep your eyes straight onto your target. Remember, never try to pull your body for bowling, keep it in a rhythm. Also, try to take your run up in a straight line and keep your action in a rhythm.

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Why should I bowl an outswinger on off stump?

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To do so helps you in a way that the batsman tends to wants to hit the ball, thus forcing a potential error.

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Should there be any movement in the fingers while releasing the ball?

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No, the fingers should never move during the delivery of an outswinger. If that happens, it destabilises the seam position. When you release the ball, snap your wrist. If you want to see how this is done, check Wasim Akram in videos, as he was the best exponent of this technique.

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Take the weather into account; conditions that are both hot and dry may reduce a ball’s swing. ^{[15]
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Research source} On cloudy days, the ball will swing more.

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Before attempting the outswinger, practice throwing the ball with your sole focus on keeping the seam vertical once the ball is released. Once you’ve mastered this, practice aiming your out swing by establishing a target at the approximate distance that a batsman would be upon release of the ball; aim the ball so that it swings through the air toward the target. ^{[16]
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When you bowl, try to think about what shot you wish the batsman to play and not just where you wish to put the ball.

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Warnings

If you’re left-handed and facing a right-handed batsman, you should also bowl an inswinger or reverse swing for the same reason.

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If you’re right-handed and facing a left-handed batsman, bowl an inswinger or reverse swing instead to achieve the same effect. The idea of the out swing is to force the batsman to swing outward, away from their body, toward their “off side.” If they’re left-handed, however, their off side will be to their left.

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How to Bowl an Outswinger in Cricket

Steps

Preparing the Ball

Gripping the Ball

Running up to Bowl

Bowling the Ball

Community Q&A

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Tips

Warnings

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