What is a heavy ball?

[rkt.india]

To me me heavy ball is which loose less speed after pitching while reaching to the batsman when bowlers hit the deck hard and very few have this ability. There is an example of this. In 2008, Australian ODI series when Ishant was in his top notch form in terms of pace and was bowling over 140-145 consistently, there was an analysis by the commentators comparison of Brett Lee and Ishant. In this analysis, both Brett Lee and Ishant bowled a delivery at 141K pitched at similar spot but in graphics when they showed the speed at which ball was reaching to the batsman, it came out like at same speed when batsman played the ball Brett Lee's delivery speed had reduced to 111K from 141K while Ishant's delivery speed was reduced to only 121K. This is called heavy ball, but later Ishant has lost that zip, IMO, with his action change. Both Flintoff and Kallis had this ability. Tim Bresnan is pretty much like that now days. Their deliveries come quickly at the batsman and loose less pace after pitching. It gives less reaction time and batsman can miss time the shot. Release of the ball is also an important aspect as well as putting extra shoulder behind the ball. Bowlers like Steyn, Brett Lee, Sreeshanth, tehy are more like ball releaser and swing the ball, but Fikntoff, Kallis, Bresnan they hit the deck hard with more effort.

[tapish]

The bowler who can hit the deck harder and hence hit the bat harder bowls a heavy ball. Bresnan, Flintoff, Ntini and even Johnson bowls a heavy ball.

[bunny]

Probably a short of length ball that hits on the seam, and delivered by a tall bowler (Read Flintoff). As opposed to a full delivery delivered by a not so tall slow swinging bowler (Read Ealham).

[Trichromatic]

From Wisden dictionary of cricket

heavy ball n a delivery that is faster than it seems and comes on to the bat with more force than the batsman anticipated: 'Yardy's' Underwood-style heavy ball proved Akmal's undoing when he cut loosely (Cricket on Five website, 10 September 2006).

Generally heavy ball is bowled by hitting the deck harder than usual. If you notice the difference between sub-continent bowlers and bowlers from SA, Aus, Eng, sub-continent bowlers try to pitch the ball at a particular area of pitch with normal speed. It's more like letting the ball go through. On the other hand, bowlers like Flintoff try to hit the pitch harder than other bowlers. In that case, speed is more and you may get extra bounce. In India, probably RP Singh tries to hit the deck harder than others. But he is not near likes of Flintoff etc. Don't expect such deliveries from Sreesanth. Heavy ball is more effective on fast pitches, but it can be handy even in subcontinent.

[veer]

not bowling with heavy ball - bowlers who grip ball with two finger and try to zip the ball.. like sliding the bowl to get more swing... bowling with heavy ball - bowlers grip ball firmly and try to bowl more straight and right at you...

[Deleted_User_1]

What exactly is a heavy ball? Who was the last Indian to bowl a heavy ball? (Ramesh Powar aside)

When you get hydrocele, it pulls down your donger and you have difficulty walking or doing anything, that's when you have a heavy ball. Kinda like what all the Indian players have now.

[IKnowU]

Heavy ball bowler = Mitchell Johnson, Umar gul, Morne morkel etc

[asterix]

The ball which keeps going toward the stumps even after you played it. The ball having some top/spin rotation..Anybody who has played Tabletennis will know what a top spin served ball does...It goes faster after second tip..The rotation on the ball tends to take the ball further even after yu've played the ball..Gives you a feeling that you played a heavy ball which you're not able to drive away easily..

[CG]

You can bowl cross seam and the ball will skid quicker and bounce more ,its similar to heavy ball

[IKnowU]

Heavy ball imo is when the bowler always keeps hurrying the batsmen by digging it into the pitch with pace and bounce. The batsmen doesnt have time to play it properly with ease instead has to fend off or cut.

[Sooda]

Angus Fraser bowled a good heavy ball. Whatever the hell they are.

[Stuge]

SO ,its just terminology made by commentators, thats it ? right ?

[Trichromatic]

From Wisden dictionary of cricket

SO ' date='its just terminology made by commentators, thats it ? right ?[/quote'] Not exactly.

[tapish]

[Septimius Severus]

Watson bowls a heavy ball (No homo).

[goose]

bump.

[daryl1985]

Does Yadav bowl a heavy ball?

[Cricketics]

Sreesanth bowled some in IPL

[vayuu1]

Why ask us ,ask any girl or the person suffering from hernia,both can tell you with different perspective .

[adi B]

woh gend jo zor se patki jaye!!