The importance of wicket-taking bowlers and wicket-taking lines and lengths in LOIs

[express bowling]

What is a good line is also dependent on the number of slips / gullies and the format being played.

 

In ODIs, especially in Asia,  there is usually 1 slip , no slips ..... and bowling just outside off may result in an edge with no-one to catch it.  But, the same line may be effective in a test match with a full slips cordon.

Edited September 20, 2017 by express bowling

[rkt.india]

2 hours ago, Muloghonto said:

didn't fully come off, but notice him running his hand over the ball at point of delivery...either way, ball pitched on off stump and came in to hit middle.

Not target top of off like you claim.

it was just a natural variation off the pitch which he used to get a lot as he hit the deck hard with good seam position from a very high arm action. 

[LORD_analyst]

9 hours ago, express bowling said:

You have a habit of arguing for the sake of it.

now u understand why i stopped arguing with him...hes a rookie rat who knows nothing but claims everything

[LORD_analyst]

On 9/17/2017 at 2:52 PM, Laaloo said:

People on icf will never understand. Hum yeb sab kab se bol rahe hai

dhoni no boundary for first 66 balls...hahahahahahahah

if india had better wicketkeepers options he would have been ' rested ' jst like ashwin..lol

[rkt.india]

20 hours ago, Muloghonto said:

Except Pollock, McGrath targetted top of 4th stump. Because thats how you get edges to slip cordon the best. Did you even see these guys play or what ?

 

How many bowlers does that in India? It works in Aus-SA due to more carry. Even McGrath had to change his strategy and target stumps on 2004 tour of India.  They just relentlessly attacked the stumps with packed leg side field on that tour.  

[Vk1]

If I was the selector i would pick mohammed siraj first. His action pace swing is ideal for England. Could be our hasan ali.

[express bowling]

There are different types of  " stock balls "  used by different pacers and different bowling styles are adopted.  Some target the top of off-stump, some bowl just outside off-stump, some bowl back of a length for bounce, some bowl quite a bit outside off,  a few target the the middle stump even.  Many pacers combine some of the above styles.

 

However, " the top of off stump "  reference is almost always relevant in the stock ball concept.  It either acts as a rough target   or as a visible reference point for the channel deliveries just outside off stump.

 

Found an interesting article explaining the concept.  

 

 "  The target area

A good length can only be measured by where the ball passes the stumps.

This is because of the variety in pitches.

Slow and low pitches will see a good bowler dropping his length back a little; quicker and bouncier pitches need the ball to be fuller to pass the same place.

The length has altered a great deal, but the end result is the same.

So if you are no longer thinking about where the ball pitches, what is the target area you are aiming for?

In most cases you will be looking to bowl the classic 'hitting the top of off stump'; an area about 25cm square on and just outside the off stump.  "  

 

http://www.pitchvision.com/what-is-a-good-length-to-bowl#/

 

There is another Cricket Australia article talking about the concept

 

“When you bowl, if you bowl often enough, you know where a good length is: you know that because you’ve practised enough. Once you’ve got the line, you know you can bowl a length that you want.” Duncan says that line and length will be one that enables a bowler to “hit the top of off stump” with his stock delivery. The off-stump becomes a reference point "

 

http://glenorchy.tas.cricket.com.au/files/1907/files/Coaching/Overview_Where Bowlers Look.pdf

 

 

Many inswing / inseaming pacers target the top of off with their indipping deliveries .....and the variation, straighter delivery,  is just outside off stump.

 

Many outswing bowlers target the channel outside off-stump with their outswingers .....but the variation, straighter ball or indipper,  is targeted at the top of off stump.  An example below.

 

http://www.bcci.tv/videos/id/3243/how-shami-set-up-alastair-cook

 

The top-of-off stump and channel references are usually there while discussing stock balls.

 

Edited September 23, 2017 by express bowling

[express bowling]

 

[express bowling]

Today, both the  Indian pacers have bowled wicket-taking lines and lengths in their opening spells for a change and the result is there for all to see.

 

And the first wicket was perfect top of off stump .... the 2nd wicket was perfect channel delivery, outswinger

Edited September 22, 2017 by express bowling

[express bowling]

Bhuvi talking about " top of off  "  and outswingers in this interview after yesterday's match

 

"  Bhuvneshwar let the first one rip.

Listen to him deconstructing the Warner dismissal: 1 off 9, nicked off to slip, no feet.

"I bowl outswingers to him, in Tests also I mostly bowl outswingers to him, so I knew there is a good chance I can get him out with outswingers. That's how I planned. And for Cartwright, there was a normal plan, bowling to the top of off stump and bowling outswingers to him."

 

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20776813/unrelenting-bowling-line-offers-india-fresh-edge

 

 

Good to see him bowl these lines and lengths instead of the back-of-a length middle stump stuff he generally bowled in CT 17 and SL 17.

 

Edited September 22, 2017 by express bowling

[express bowling]

Hoping to see Shami play today and bowling wicket-taking lines and lengths with a few bouncers.

 

He is a genuine wicket-taker.