In our previous blogs in this series, we talked about how to bowl off spin, and then we talked about how to bowl off spin’s variations, like the arm ball, top spinner, doosra and the carrom ball.
With this post, we’ll begin talking about how to bowl leg spin, and the next post will be how to bowl leg spin’s variations, like the Googly, Top Spinner (leg spin has a top spinner too), Flipper, Slider and the Zooter.
Unlocking the Mystery of Leg Spin
Leg spin, often considered one of the most enigmatic and effective bowling styles in cricket, has long captivated audiences and baffled batters worldwide.
This complex art form in cricket is not just about spinning the ball; it’s a blend of physics, finesse, and psychological warfare, making it a revered skill among cricket enthusiasts and players alike.
For a right hand bowler, a leg-spin ball moves from right to left. Naturally, a left-hand bowler, bowling the same delivery, will spin the ball from left to right.
Whereas off-spin bowlers primarily use the fingers to spin the ball, leg-spinners use their wrists as well as their fingers to generate spin.
What makes leg spin particularly challenging and intriguing is the degree of control and precision required to not only spin the ball but also control its flight, drift, and bounce. The ability to deceive the batsman through the air and off the pitch makes leg spin a potent weapon in a bowler’s arsenal.
The allure and effectiveness of leg spin can be attributed to legends like Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and Rashid Khan. These iconic figures have elevated the status of leg spin with their remarkable careers.
Shane Warne, the Australian spin maestro, brought leg spin back into the limelight in the 1990s with his charismatic and aggressive style. His famous ‘Ball of the Century’—a dramatically spinning delivery that bowled Mike Gatting in 1993—is a quintessential example of leg spin’s lethal charm and tactical brilliance.
On the other hand, India’s Anil Kumble brought a different flavour to leg spin with his unique approach. Known for his fast and skiddy deliveries, Kumble was not a big turner of the ball but used variations in pace and pinpoint accuracy to outsmart batsmen, accumulating over 600 Test wickets in his illustrious career.
The modern example of leg spin is Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who has adapted the art to the fast-paced demands of Twenty20 cricket. Rashid’s ability to bowl at a quick pace with significant turn and exceptional control makes him a formidable bowler in the shortest format of the game.
His success across international and league cricket around the globe showcases the adaptability and enduring relevance of leg spin in contemporary cricket.
If you want to master the leg-spinning craft, understanding the legends’ approaches provides not only inspiration but also valuable insights into the diverse ways leg spin can be deployed effectively.
It is crucial to understand the basic mechanics of the spin, developing the right grip, and practicing the essential wrist and finger movements.
To become a great leg spinner also involves a significant mental component. It requires patience, persistence, and a tactical mindset to analyze batters’ weaknesses and set them up over spells. At the start of your leg-spinning journey, you should focus on developing your style; take cues from the masters but adapt to your own natural rhythms and physical capabilities.
Fundamentals of Leg Spin Bowling
Mastering leg-spinning is not just about spinning the ball; it’s about precision, deception, and control.
But we’ll start with the grip.
Grip
The positioning of the fingers on the ball determines the amount of spin and control a bowler can achieve.
Extend your index and middle finger, while bending the ring and pinkie back to your palm. This is called the ‘two fingers up, two fingers down’ grip.
Place the ball in the palm of your hand, the seam perpendicular to your fingers, so that the ‘two fingers down’ are on one side of the ball and the ‘two fingers up’ are spread across the seam.
Your thumb lightly rests on the seam or off the ball, depending on personal comfort, while the ring and little fingers are tucked into the palm to stabilize the ball.
Run Up
Your run-up should be comfortable and consistent. Shane Warne just walked in a few paces, other bowlers incorporate a run ups that allows them to get into a consistent flow.
The pivot at the crease is critical; rotating the body to align the shoulder, hip, and foot towards the target at the point of delivery helps in generating the torque needed for spin.
The bowling arm should come over the top in a smooth arc, with the non-bowling arm guiding the direction and aiding in pulling the body through the action.
Release
The magic of leg spin largely happens at the release. Your wrist’s position and snap are pivotal in imparting spin to the ball. As the ball is released, your wrist should snap sharply, turning the ball off your fingers (generally the middle finger) to generate the spin.
The ideal release sees the back of the hand facing you, with your fingers ripping down the side of the ball. This action is what causes the ball to drift in the air and turn sharply upon pitching.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes in leg spin bowling include a stiff wrist, incorrect follow-through, and inconsistent run-up.
These errors can lead to a lack of spin and control, making the deliveries less effective. For instance, a stiff wrist might result in the ball being flung without spin, and an incorrect follow-through can cause loss of accuracy and delivery power.
Different Leg-Spinning Drills
To embed the mechanics of leg spin into muscle memory, specific drills can be highly effective:
– Finger Spin Drills: Practice spinning the ball in your fingers whenever possible to strengthen the muscles needed for that sharp snap at release.
– Wrist Snap Drills: Use a soft ball and focus solely on snapping the wrist at the point of release, aiming for maximum spin rather than speed or direction.
– Bullseye Drills: Set up a target on a good length on a practice pitch and consistently bowl at it to improve accuracy. Vary the drill by placing targets on different lines and lengths to simulate match scenarios.
Drift, Flight, Bounce, and Speed: How You Can Mess with a Batsman’s Mind by Controlling These Four Things
In the intricate art of leg spin bowling, the ability to manipulate drift, flight, bounce, and speed can turn a bowler into a formidable psychological opponent. These four elements are essential tools in the leg spinner’s arsenal, each playing a unique role in deceiving and outmanoeuvring the batter.
Definition
Drift – refers to the lateral movement of the ball in the air before it pitches. It is caused by the rotation of the ball and the air currents acting upon it, making the ball move away or towards the batsman, complicating their judgment of the line
Flight – is about the trajectory and speed with which the ball travels through the air. A well-flighted ball tempts the batter to play a forward shot, making them vulnerable to the spin after the pitch.
Bounce – is the behaviour of the ball after it pitches. As a leg spinner, you aim for sharp, unexpected bounce, making it harder for the batter to time their shot accurately.
Speed – involves the pace at which the ball is bowled. Varying the speed can disrupt the batsman’s timing, especially when combined with effective drift, flight, and bounce.
How Can You Control Drift, Flight, Bounce, and Speed?
Controlling Drift – To achieve effective drift, you need to work on the spin and angle of release. Spinning the ball with a slightly tilted seam towards the slip fielders can enhance the drift. Wind direction can also be exploited to maximize drift. Practicing under different wind conditions can help you learn how to use the wind to your advantage.
Controlling Flight – Manipulating the flight involves changing the speed and trajectory of the ball. Using a higher arm action and giving the ball more air can make it dip unexpectedly, luring the batter forward into playing too early. Conversely, a flatter trajectory can rush the batter, leading to hurried shots.
Controlling Bounce – The bounce can be influenced by how hard you spin the ball and the pitch surface. Spinning the ball vigorously from a higher release point tends to generate more bounce. Additionally, targeting specific areas of the pitch that are harder or have more grass can help in achieving greater bounce.
Controlling Speed – Varying the speed without changing the action is crucial. This can be achieved by changing your grip and the force exerted through your fingers at the point of release. Bowling slower can deceive the batter in flight, while a quicker delivery might catch them off guard, especially if the previous deliveries were slower.
When Should You Vary Your Drift, Flight, Bounce and Speed?
Less Drift and Flight
Use less drift and flight when you aim to keep the ball straighter, especially in conditions where lateral movement is less effective. This tactic can be effective on flatter pitches where misleading in air could be less advantageous.
Bowl Slower or Faster
Slower deliveries are generally bowled to maximize the spin and mislead the batsman in flight. They are particularly effective against aggressive batters who are eager to step out and hit big.
Faster deliveries, on the other hand, should be used to rush the batters, reduce their time to react, and force errors, especially useful in shorter formats where batters look to score quickly.
Last Words on Leg Spin
We’ve given you the basic on how to bowl leg spin, but let it be known that leg-spin is one of the most difficult types of bowling to bowl.
In the next post, we’ll be writing about how to bowl leg spin variations, to keep batters guessing at the crease. We hope you come back.