Reverse Swing , still a mystery?

[drizzle]

Waqar Younis mentioned that late reverse swing is very deadly and this seem to suggest a parabolic motion of the ball which can be very difficult for the batsmen to pick early. Such a deadly weapon is a must in any bowler's repertoire . What is the mystery surrounding reverse swing? Why are some bowlers renowned for reverse swing whereas others dont know anything or atleast do not know how to apply the knowledge. In this day and age with cameras covering every angle of the game and interaction among the international players, surely every bowler must know how to bowl reverse swing. Why is there still this gap? So why some bowlers can do it and others cant? Also divulge in the intricacies of reverse swing if you may. Discuss

[Serani]

More to do with ground conditions and the state of the ball than the bowler, according to Ian Botham, Ian Bell once bowled a spell of reverse swing :haha:

[hari504504]

depends on bowler's action- the sling-ier the better, the state of the ball (how old it is..shiny side..rough side.. theory..)... But I remember there was this once that Indian opening bowlers were reversing it within the first 10 overs...the last australia tour was it/or was it england.I don't know. So that takes 'state of the ball' out of the equation.. there have been a couple of instances with other teams too.. so yes..there is still some mystery surrounding what is actually required to make the ball reverse..

[chota_prakash]

Bowlers action, speed (to make it dart in late), rough outfield or pitch, Sea breeze and the type of ball (dukes will reverse more than Kookaburras) as well as keeping one condition of the ball dry and the other ball moisturised.

[Ahmed]

depends on bowler's action- the sling-ier the better, the state of the ball (how old it is..shiny side..rough side.. theory..)... But I remember there was this once that Indian opening bowlers were reversing it within the first 10 overs...the last australia tour was it/or was it england.I don't know. So that takes 'state of the ball' out of the equation.. there have been a couple of instances with other teams too.. so yes..there is still some mystery surrounding what is actually required to make the ball reverse..

I am afraid to say that you don't have an idea of what you are talking about. Of course it has to do with the ball, it is after all the ball which is reversing:--D. Many factors needs to be there: Condition of the ball, how you are working on it and how old it is, the weather, and of course the skill of the bowler. An the the bowlers you are talking about, are you sure it wasn't the regular seam of the new ball and not the reverse swing?

[Guest Hiten.]

depends on bowler's action- the sling-ier the better, the state of the ball (how old it is..shiny side..rough side.. theory..)... But I remember there was this once that Indian opening bowlers were reversing it within the first 10 overs...the last australia tour was it/or was it england.I don't know. So that takes 'state of the ball' out of the equation.. there have been a couple of instances with other teams too.. so yes..there is still some mystery surrounding what is actually required to make the ball reverse..

I am afraid to say that you don't have an idea of what you are talking about. Of course it has to do with the ball, it is after all the ball which is reversing:--D. Many factors needs to be there: Condition of the ball, how you are working on it and how old it is, the weather, and of course the skill of the bowler. An the the bowlers you are talking about, are you sure it wasn't the regular seam of the new ball and not the reverse swing?

hari I think you are talking about Australia's tour of India. Indian bowlers started reverse swinging in less than 15 overs mainly because of the condition of the ball. Indian bowlers were instructed to bowl cross seam for the starting overs once they realized there was nothing in the pitch. So quite obviously conditioning and working the ball has a lot to do with reverse swing. Btw, that strategy was implemented by our DISMISSED bowling coach Prasad :giggle:; how dare he come up with such absurd strategy rather than going letting our bowlers toil hard and use the natural shine to their advantage :--D

[hari504504]

Condition of the ball, how you are working on it and how old it is, the weather, and of course the skill of the bowler.

:haha: you've listed almost all the factors...how about position of Mars in relation to Earth.. What combination of these result in reverse swing ? .... and why does weather affect reverse swing ? ..what does 'skill of the bowler' imply ? There have been a few instances when the ball starts reversing before it is 'old'... and yes I am talking about reverse swing not conventional and it is easy to differentiate between the two

[hari504504]

Indian bowlers were instructed to bowl cross seam for the starting overs once they realized there was nothing in the pitch. So quite obviously conditioning and working the ball has a lot to do with reverse swing.

That seems like a straightforward exercise that can be repeated by any set of bowlers...., bowl cross seam for the first couple of overs and work the ball over and voila..reverse swing! If so, why have they not been able to do so as effectively in subsequent matches..

[Mr Eintstein]

Don't buy the theory that slingy bowlers reverse it more. Akram, Younis, FREDDIEE, and mcgrath all bowled with very upright actions. Apart from the state of the ball, it's all in the wrists IMO.

[TumTum]

Reverse swing doesn't depend as much on the bowler as with the condition of the ball. Watson was getting the ball to reverse when Pakistan toured Australia, and he was just bowling everything dead straight (seam, wrist, arm).