Indroduction :-
The Fast bowling plays a crucial role in cricket, leaving a impact on the game’s dynamics and outcome. Today we covered 10 Types of Fast Bowling Actions. The significance of fast bowling lies in its ability to dictate the match’s tempo, with bowlers capable of turning the game in their team’s favor through pivotal breakthroughs and intimidating spells.
In addition to its impact on batting, fast bowling raise level of fielding as well to a spectacular level. The bowler’s deliveries, unleashed with thunderous speed, demand acrobatic saves, diving catches, and precise throws, making fielding an art of agility and precision. These moments of brilliance in the field attract the audience, adding flair and excitement to the game.
So in this blog, we have explored the exciting world of fast bowling. We looked at different types of bowling actions and how they work biomechanically. Whether a bowler uses a side-on or front-on action or is he a hip dominant or knee dominant or a slinger ,etc , we discovered how they generate speed and accuracy. Aspiring fast bowlers can learn valuable insights from this information to improve their skills on the cricket field.
Types of fast bowling actions :-
SIDE ON :-
A side-on fast bowling action is a style where the bowler’s front shoulder and hip are facing towards the batsman and backfoot lands at 90 degree parallel to the bowling crease , while the non-bowling arm is pointing sideways. In this position, the bowler’s chest is largely square to the batsman. The bowler then strides forward and rotates their upper body, bringing the bowling arm over their head to deliver the ball. This action allows for good control and the potential to generate movement, such as away swing, Bowlers like James Andersion, Shoaib Akhtar , and Glenn McGrath are known for their effective side-on actions.
FRONT ON :-
The front-on fast bowling action is a technique where the bowler’s chest and back foot landed and faced directly towards the batsman at the time of delivering the ball. In this style, the non-bowling arm moves across the body, while the bowling arm is raised over the head to release the ball. Front-on bowlers use their front hip and shoulder to generate pace and accuracy. This action allows bowlers to target the stumps and create movement, like inswing, towards the batsman. Famous bowlers like Jofra Archer, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mark Wood are known for their effective front-on actions.
SEMI SIDE ON / SEMI OPEN :-
The semi side-on or semi-open fast bowling action is a bowling technique in which the bowler’s chest is partially facing the batsman during the delivery and backfoot landed at 45 degree parallel to the bowling crease. It combines elements of both side-on and front-on actions. In this style, the bowler’s front shoulder and hip are not completely square to the batsman, but they are also not fully facing the batsman. The non-bowling arm and the bowling arm work together to generate pace and control. Bowlers with a semi side-on action can vary their deliveries and create movement in the air or off the pitch, making it challenging for batsmen to handle.Famous bowlers like Brett Lee, Haris Rauf and Dale Steyn are known for their effective semi side on / semi open actions.
ULTRA SIDE ON / PASS SIDE ON :-
The ultra side on or pass side on bowlers are same as side on bowlers the only difference they have is the landing of the backfoot , in this type, the direction of the foot is more parallel to the crease or the angle of landing is more then 90 degree, or beside the crease line. These type of bowler generate more pace through rotational power of the body. For these type of bowler the hip shoulder sepration work as heaven for them for generating extra pace . Famous bowlers like Jeff Thomson and Umran Malik are known for their effective ultra / pass side on actions.
MIXED ACTION :-
Bowlers are more likely to get injured if their bowling action puts too much pressure on their body.. A mixed action, combining side-on and front-on styles, will strain the back. It’s best to have a coach check your bowling action to make sure it’s either side-on or front-on, not both. Remember, keep your hips and shoulders aligned for a safer delivery and avoid twisting your back to stay safe and avoid injuries. Having a consistent and suitable bowling action is important for better performance and staying injury-free.
Hip Dominant :-
This was the new idea or a new term to identify the bowler type in recent time. They are generally run-up based bowlers. These type of bowlers generate pace through their run-up speed . It is said that the faster they run in their runup – the faster they bowl in crease. They are generally front on and semi open type of a bowler .They utilize the absorption and stiffness of contact between their feet and the ground to generate power. Jofra Archer , Brett Lee and Mohammed Siraj are some examples of hip dominant bowlers.
Knee Dominant :-
This was also the part of new idea or to identify the bowler type in recent time .These type of bowlers are not run to fast in their run-up , in this type they maintain a certain speed throughout their run-up. They mainly generate their pace in the last stride after their backfoot contact .At backfoot contact they use the flexion and extension of the knee to generate more power from the quads, thats why they spent more time in backfoot then a hip dominant bowler. They are generally side on and pass/ultra side on type of a bowler. Jeff Thomson , Shoaib Akhtar and Morne Morkel are some examples of knee dominant bowlers.
SLINGER OR SLING SHOT ACTION :-
In this method, the bowler’s bowling arm moves backward and creates extra strech like a slingshot, in this type the bowling arm comes little wider makes the ball releasing point lower and wider compare to other types of bowling action. In that the energy stored in the bowler’s upper body muscles is used to throw the ball at its maximum speed. It’s like using a slingshot or a stretched elastic band. This way, the bowler can bowl fast and powerful deliveries. These types of actions are the combination of side on plus knee dominant bowling action. Lasith Malinga, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson are the some examples of slinger or sling shot bowling action.
IN BETWEENER :-
These type of action are the combination of hip dominant and knee dominant bowling action in which the bowler is tendon driven or run fast in there run-up but also at backfoot contact the knee bends and creates flexion and extension of the knee to generate more power from the quads as well. In this category all types of bowling action[ side on , front on, semi open and pass/ultra side on] can be included. Shoaib Akhtar , Adam Milne and Fidel Edwards are the some examples of in betweener bowling action.
Illegal Bowling Actions-Illegal Bowling Regulations
An Illegal Bowling Action is when a player throws the ball instead of bowling it. According to ICC rules, if a player’s elbow extends by more than 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being released, it is considered illegal. Match Officials use their experience and observation to detect such actions during international matches and report them for further examination.
Players reported for an Illegal Bowling Action undergo testing at an ICC Accredited Testing Centre. Experts in human movement science supervise the state-of-the-art technology used in the testing process. Based on the results, if the action is deemed illegal, the player is suspended from bowling until they modify their technique and pass another test successfully. This process ensures fair play and upholds the integrity of the game.
Conclusion:-
So at the end we managed to cover all of types fast bowling actions , so read carefully all of them and enhance your fast bowling knowledge, and your game .Learn more to grow more , always move forward .For learn more about bowling learn the new terms of fast bowling ,learn about all fastbowling key attractors.
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