Reverse (cricket)
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In the sport of cricket, a reverse is a type of slower ball.
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[edit] The grip
The ball is gripped with the index and middle fingers running directly along the seam and the thumb typically on the seam underneath the ball. By resting the ball on the side of the thumb the bowling shoulder is allowed more freedom.
[edit] Point of release
The ball is released with the back of the hand facing somewhere around 1st slip. In order to get the hand into this position the non-bowling shoulder has to dip. As the ball is released the index and middle fingers naturally impart topspin on the ball. With the seam angled toward the slips, the ball cuts away like a leg cutter. The picture below shows the point of release as seen by the batsman.
[edit] Coaching points
When learning to bowl this delivery, typically a bowler will feel that the back of his hand is more rotatated than it actually is. So, a good exercise is for the bowler to think of releasing the ball with the back of the hand facing the batsman.
[edit] Usage
Due to the shoulder dip the reverse is more easily picked by the batsman than other slower balls. But, by way of compensation the seam hits the deck like a leg break and so turns and dips more than most other forms of slower ball. The ball is a triple threat:
- timing - hoping to get the batsman to play early
- disguise of length - the dip can make a yorker length ball look like a full toss
- turn - aiming to find the outside edge (assuming right handed bowler bowling to right handed batsman).
