How to Bowl an Outswinger in Cricket

Co-authored by Rishabh Mehan

Last Updated: October 26, 2022 References 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

1
Select a relatively young ball. 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]
X
Research source}
2
Choose one side of the ball to polish. 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]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Apply spit or sweat to the polished side. Rub it in with your trousers. Repeat frequently throughout the game, in between each delivery.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Inform your teammates as to which side is which to ensure consistency. Encourage them to shine the ball further while it’s in their possession during the match.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Gripping the Ball

1
Angle the seam toward the slips. Rather than keeping the primary seam vertical, it should be angled slightly away from the batter.
2
Hold the ball with the polished side facing the batsman, or their “leg side.” 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]
X
Research source}
3
Grip the ball with your thumb along the seam on the bottom. Spread your index and middle fingers slightly apart from each other along the seam on top.^{[6]
X
Research source}
4
Aim the seam at your first or second slip fielder.^{[7]
X
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]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Running up to Bowl

1
Allow plenty of distance for your run-up. More distance will allow you to build momentum for a powerful delivery.
2
Face your target. 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]
X
Research source}
3
Balance your run. 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]
X
Research source}
4
Increase your strides as you near the batsman.^{[11]
X
Research source} Run straight in like an athlete as you approach the stump.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Bowling the Ball

1
Bowl close to the stump.^{[13]
X
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.
2
Tempt the batsman to play the ball. Aim at either the stump itself or very close to it.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Focus on your front arm. 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.
4
Release the ball. 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.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I control the ball?

Community Answer

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.
Question

Why should I bowl an outswinger on off stump?

Community Answer

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

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

Community Answer

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.

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.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 11 Not Helpful 3
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.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2