By " frank tyson"
The cricket ball is a hard, dynamic object that challenges the skill and thought process of the bowler and probes the footwork, balance and temperament of the batsman.
The sphere is a potent mix of cork and leather and the ball's seam lends it character and life. There are a total of six rows of stitches on the outside and two more on the inside that bind the four or two (in some cases) equal parts of the sphere.
Apart from holding the ball together, the seam acts as the rudder for the bowlers as they get the ball to bamboozle the batsmen; here skill combines with science.
Indeed swing — movement in the air — can be destructive in the English conditions as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have found out. In no other part of the world is a batsman's feet movement tested as it is in the Old Blighty.
It was at the Oval in 1948 that legendary Australian paceman Ray Lindwall of a rhythmic run-up and a flowing release blew England away — the host was bundled out for 52 on day one — with an immortal burst of six for 20. Reports from that Test highlight how Lindwall, who formed a lethal partnership with the gifted Keith Miller, swung the ball with pace and precision. Another Aussie, Bob Massie sliced through England in the Lord's Test of 1972 with eight wickets in each innings — he finished with an astonishing 16 scalps for 137 runs on his debut — with telling late swing. Massie, a quintessential swing bowler, had exploited the conditions in England.
In the ongoing series, the English pace trio of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnen have tormented the Indian batsmen with their tricks in the air. They have glorious examples to emulate in the form of countrymen Alec Bedser, Fred Trueman and Ian Botham.
seam position and grip for inswing
Difficult art
Swing bowling is a difficult art to master — the ball has to be pitched up and the margin of error is very little. Creditably, someone such as Bedser bowled with exceptional control, moved it both ways.
But then, why does the ball swing in the first place? We enter the territory of aerodynamics; the heart of the matter really.
Frank Tyson, among the fastest bowlers to have played Test cricket and the hero for England in the famous Ashes triumph down under in 1954-55 with 28 wickets in five Tests at 20.82, comprehended every nuance of his craft.
With 76 wickets in only 17 Tests — the explosive Tyson earned the moniker ‘Typhoon' for his extreme speed — he often left the batsmen with bruised limbs and ego. Sadly, his career was blighted by injuries.
seam position and grip for outswing
Reason for swing
A respected commentator and coach subsequently, Tyson, now 81, continues to follow the game with keen interest. He shared his fascinating insight on swing bowling with The Hindu from Brisbane, Australia, where he emigrated after retirement.
He first dwelt on the reason for swing — he called it ‘the swinging truth.' Tyson said, “The swinging cricket ball depends in the creation of different fields of air pressure on each side of the ball — and the agents for the creation of such fields — viz., the seam and the rough side of the ball.”
The speed merchant from the glory days of the past revealed, “As a general rule, air which is disturbed and travels quickly has less pressure than more stable and smoothly flowing air. To illustrate this point, suspend two balls a few centimetres apart and blow between them. Because the air between them is disturbed and the air on the outside is stable and has greater pressure, the balls will come together.”
Rooted on science
The former pace ace continued with his brilliant reasoning rooted on science. “To apply the analogy to swing bowling, if a bowler inclines the seam towards the left or right of the ball's direction, the disturbed air on that side of the sphere has less pressure and the greater air pressure on the opposite side pushes the ball towards the lower pressure zone. i.e., towards the slips for the outswinger and the short-leg for the inswinger (for demonstration purposes we use right-handed models).”
Throwing greater light on a complex topic, Tyson added, “The greater the air disturbance in the low pressure zone, the greater the sideways movement of the swing.”
Batting in England is much about surviving the quickly changing conditions; a period of bright sunshine favouring the batsmen against the pacemen could be followed by a thick cloud-cover that encourages swing.
Why does the ball do more under a cloud cover? Tyson's analytical mind came to the fore again. “The cloud-cover will affect the air pressure on the sides of the ball. This enhances swing. And the resultant humidity will impact the stitching on the ball. It could make the stitching swell that would assist the pacemen.”
Why do different balls behave differently?
Potent swing relies on the conditions as well as the bowler's skill. There is another factor that can impact the sphere's movement in the air — the nature of the ball.
Indeed, the ball's seam structure can greatly influence swing. Former England pace ace Frank Tyson's views on the subject are presented here in the second and concluding part of the story on the dynamics of swing bowling.
Tyson explained why the Duke ball swung more than the Kookaburra which had a less pronounced seam. “English balls are hand stitched and their seams stand more proudly from the surface of the ball, disturbing the air to a greater degree and educing more pronounced movement through the air before the ball pitches.
“Australian Kookaburra balls are machine-stitched and the seams lie flatter on the surface, swinging less when they are first bowled but lasting longer (though not swinging for longer periods) because they are manufactured for harder surfaces. Moreover, the English balls are sometimes used on damp surfaces which cause the stitches to swell, disturbing the air more and producing greater movement through the air for longer periods of time,” he said.
Tyson added the ‘air disturbance thesis' also explained ‘reverse swing' since lower air pressures could also be created on one side of the ball due to the sphere being roughened by usage and by the elevation of the worn seam on the side of the ball facing the direction of the desired movement.
Elaborating on the subject, Tyson said, “This creates a low air pressure on that side of the ball and greater air pressure on the opposite flank. Thus the bowler may hold the ball with the seam as for an out-swinger with the rough side facing off-side, but the ball will swing towards the smoother side for an in-swinger.”
Tyson underlined the significance of the seam position. “The value of seam position is self-evident from what has gone before since it determines the areas of low and high air pressures.
The wrist is equally important because it juxtaposes the seam. Moreover, it is crucial in the summation of forces in the bowling action, causing the hand to be behind the ball and transmitting force to the fingers in the release of the ball and feeling the position of the seam.”
Another key element
The back-spin is another key element as Tyson pointed out. “When you release the ball using your first three fingers and the thumb, and do so rightly, back-spin is imparted. A bullet when fired from a gun spins even as it travels forward and this helps it to maintain a straight path. Similarly, the backspin enables the seam to stay upright.”
Tyson shifted his attention to various body actions for different types of swing. “An open action is beneficial to an in-swinger since it pre-positions the bowler's shoulder girdle for an action.
Seam and the rough side of the ball will cause the bowler to ‘push' the ball in towards the batsman's stumps from outside the off.
“Similarly, a closed action pre-positions the seam and the rough side of the ball, slanting the sphere towards the slips and “dragging” the delivery from leg to off. A closed action with the seam directed from off to leg can still result in an in-swinger for aerodynamic reasons previously outlined,” he said.
Ray Lindwall
Keith Miller
Fred Trueman
Alec Bedser
Tom Cartwright
Hutton the best
And who, in Tyson's opinion, was the finest batsman against swing? “The best player of swing, undoubtedly, was Len Hutton.
He could adjust his strokes according to the movement of the ball and played the ball later than anyone I have bowled at,” he answered. Hutton's immaculate footwork was the key.
Tyson highlighted the time-tested methods for successful swing bowling in England.
“The most effective bowlers in England deliver at slightly below top pace, and on a fuller length, giving the ball time to swing. Genuine pace does not pay dividends since the English pitches negate speed.
Further, attempted drives can produce wickets and this gives scope to vary one's pace.”
The man called ‘Typhoon' said it was harder to cope with the red ball than the white one in England.
“I presume the white ball gets roughened up pretty quickly and assists conventional swing for only the first few overs. The white ball probably reverses more but the red one swings consistently for longer periods and is a bigger threat to the batsmen.”
Swing can sting in the Old Blighty. Outplayed in the ongoing Test series, India needs to focus on the basics — accuracy in bowling, where the line is of paramount importance, footwork and the use of the crease by the batsmen.
(Concluded)
(Thanks -'' the hindu" )
The cricket ball is a hard, dynamic object that challenges the skill and thought process of the bowler and probes the footwork, balance and temperament of the batsman.
The sphere is a potent mix of cork and leather and the ball's seam lends it character and life. There are a total of six rows of stitches on the outside and two more on the inside that bind the four or two (in some cases) equal parts of the sphere.
Apart from holding the ball together, the seam acts as the rudder for the bowlers as they get the ball to bamboozle the batsmen; here skill combines with science.
Indeed swing — movement in the air — can be destructive in the English conditions as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have found out. In no other part of the world is a batsman's feet movement tested as it is in the Old Blighty.
It was at the Oval in 1948 that legendary Australian paceman Ray Lindwall of a rhythmic run-up and a flowing release blew England away — the host was bundled out for 52 on day one — with an immortal burst of six for 20. Reports from that Test highlight how Lindwall, who formed a lethal partnership with the gifted Keith Miller, swung the ball with pace and precision. Another Aussie, Bob Massie sliced through England in the Lord's Test of 1972 with eight wickets in each innings — he finished with an astonishing 16 scalps for 137 runs on his debut — with telling late swing. Massie, a quintessential swing bowler, had exploited the conditions in England.
In the ongoing series, the English pace trio of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnen have tormented the Indian batsmen with their tricks in the air. They have glorious examples to emulate in the form of countrymen Alec Bedser, Fred Trueman and Ian Botham.
Difficult art
Swing bowling is a difficult art to master — the ball has to be pitched up and the margin of error is very little. Creditably, someone such as Bedser bowled with exceptional control, moved it both ways.
But then, why does the ball swing in the first place? We enter the territory of aerodynamics; the heart of the matter really.
Frank Tyson, among the fastest bowlers to have played Test cricket and the hero for England in the famous Ashes triumph down under in 1954-55 with 28 wickets in five Tests at 20.82, comprehended every nuance of his craft.
With 76 wickets in only 17 Tests — the explosive Tyson earned the moniker ‘Typhoon' for his extreme speed — he often left the batsmen with bruised limbs and ego. Sadly, his career was blighted by injuries.
Reason for swing
A respected commentator and coach subsequently, Tyson, now 81, continues to follow the game with keen interest. He shared his fascinating insight on swing bowling with The Hindu from Brisbane, Australia, where he emigrated after retirement.
He first dwelt on the reason for swing — he called it ‘the swinging truth.' Tyson said, “The swinging cricket ball depends in the creation of different fields of air pressure on each side of the ball — and the agents for the creation of such fields — viz., the seam and the rough side of the ball.”
The speed merchant from the glory days of the past revealed, “As a general rule, air which is disturbed and travels quickly has less pressure than more stable and smoothly flowing air. To illustrate this point, suspend two balls a few centimetres apart and blow between them. Because the air between them is disturbed and the air on the outside is stable and has greater pressure, the balls will come together.”
Rooted on science
The former pace ace continued with his brilliant reasoning rooted on science. “To apply the analogy to swing bowling, if a bowler inclines the seam towards the left or right of the ball's direction, the disturbed air on that side of the sphere has less pressure and the greater air pressure on the opposite side pushes the ball towards the lower pressure zone. i.e., towards the slips for the outswinger and the short-leg for the inswinger (for demonstration purposes we use right-handed models).”
Throwing greater light on a complex topic, Tyson added, “The greater the air disturbance in the low pressure zone, the greater the sideways movement of the swing.”
Batting in England is much about surviving the quickly changing conditions; a period of bright sunshine favouring the batsmen against the pacemen could be followed by a thick cloud-cover that encourages swing.
Why does the ball do more under a cloud cover? Tyson's analytical mind came to the fore again. “The cloud-cover will affect the air pressure on the sides of the ball. This enhances swing. And the resultant humidity will impact the stitching on the ball. It could make the stitching swell that would assist the pacemen.”
Why do different balls behave differently?
Indeed, the ball's seam structure can greatly influence swing. Former England pace ace Frank Tyson's views on the subject are presented here in the second and concluding part of the story on the dynamics of swing bowling.
Tyson explained why the Duke ball swung more than the Kookaburra which had a less pronounced seam. “English balls are hand stitched and their seams stand more proudly from the surface of the ball, disturbing the air to a greater degree and educing more pronounced movement through the air before the ball pitches.
Tyson added the ‘air disturbance thesis' also explained ‘reverse swing' since lower air pressures could also be created on one side of the ball due to the sphere being roughened by usage and by the elevation of the worn seam on the side of the ball facing the direction of the desired movement.
Elaborating on the subject, Tyson said, “This creates a low air pressure on that side of the ball and greater air pressure on the opposite flank. Thus the bowler may hold the ball with the seam as for an out-swinger with the rough side facing off-side, but the ball will swing towards the smoother side for an in-swinger.”
Tyson underlined the significance of the seam position. “The value of seam position is self-evident from what has gone before since it determines the areas of low and high air pressures.
Another key element
The back-spin is another key element as Tyson pointed out. “When you release the ball using your first three fingers and the thumb, and do so rightly, back-spin is imparted. A bullet when fired from a gun spins even as it travels forward and this helps it to maintain a straight path. Similarly, the backspin enables the seam to stay upright.”
Tyson shifted his attention to various body actions for different types of swing. “An open action is beneficial to an in-swinger since it pre-positions the bowler's shoulder girdle for an action.
Seam and the rough side of the ball will cause the bowler to ‘push' the ball in towards the batsman's stumps from outside the off.
“Similarly, a closed action pre-positions the seam and the rough side of the ball, slanting the sphere towards the slips and “dragging” the delivery from leg to off. A closed action with the seam directed from off to leg can still result in an in-swinger for aerodynamic reasons previously outlined,” he said.
Then, Tyson recalled the formidable swing bowlers from the past. He said, “The finest exhibition of swing bowling in England came from Australia's Ray Lindwall (1948). Other fine exponents of swing include Keith Miller (late swing), Fred Trueman, Alec Bedser, and Tom Cartwright, who swung the ball both ways.”
Ray Lindwall
Keith Miller
Alec Bedser
Hutton the best
And who, in Tyson's opinion, was the finest batsman against swing? “The best player of swing, undoubtedly, was Len Hutton.
He could adjust his strokes according to the movement of the ball and played the ball later than anyone I have bowled at,” he answered. Hutton's immaculate footwork was the key.
Tyson highlighted the time-tested methods for successful swing bowling in England.
“The most effective bowlers in England deliver at slightly below top pace, and on a fuller length, giving the ball time to swing. Genuine pace does not pay dividends since the English pitches negate speed.
Further, attempted drives can produce wickets and this gives scope to vary one's pace.”
The man called ‘Typhoon' said it was harder to cope with the red ball than the white one in England.
“I presume the white ball gets roughened up pretty quickly and assists conventional swing for only the first few overs. The white ball probably reverses more but the red one swings consistently for longer periods and is a bigger threat to the batsmen.”
Swing can sting in the Old Blighty. Outplayed in the ongoing Test series, India needs to focus on the basics — accuracy in bowling, where the line is of paramount importance, footwork and the use of the crease by the batsmen.
(Concluded)
(Thanks -'' the hindu" )
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