Description

Spin bowling is divided into fourdifferentcategories, depending on the particular physical techniqueused.There is virtually no overlap between the two basicbiomechanicaltechniques of wrist spin and finger spin.

Off break - Right-handed with finger spin technique.(e.g.Muttiah Muralitharan)
Left-arm orthodox spin - Left-handed with finger spintechnique.(e.g. Daniel Vettori)
Leg break - Right-handed with wrist spin technique. (e.g.ShaneWarne)
Left-arm unorthodox spin - Left-handed with wrist spintechnique.(e.g. Brad Hogg)
Depending on technique, a spin bowler uses either predominantwristor finger motion to impart spin to the ball around ahorizontalaxis that is at an oblique angle to the length of thepitch. Thissort of spin means it is also possible for the Magnuseffect tocause the ball to deviate sideways through the air, beforeitbounces. Such deviation is called drift. The combination ofdriftand spin can make the ball's trajectory complex, with a changeofdirection at the bounce.

This variety of trajectories achievable by a spin bowlercanbewilder inexperienced or poor batsmen.

Spin bowlers are generally given the task of bowling with anold,worn cricket ball. A new cricket ball better suits thetechniques offast bowling than spin bowling, while a worn onegrips the pitchbetter and achieves greater spin. Spin bowlers arealso moreeffective later in a game, as the pitch dries up andbegins to crackand crumble. This again provides more purchase forthe spinning balland produces greater deviation.