Bowling to Left-Handed Batters

In this lesson you will learn why bowling to left-handers can be challenging. Most bowlers spend most of their time bowling to right-handers, so their natural line and angle are built for right-handers. When a left-hander arrives, the off side and leg side swap, and a ball that would be a good line to a right-hander may now be drifting down the leg side or too wide. For a right-arm bowler bowling over the wicket, the natural angle now goes across the left-hander, from leg to off. Understanding this change in geometry is the first step to bowling well to left-handers, and it can also give you a real advantage.

• Off side and leg side swap for left-handers
• Your natural line may now be wrong
• Right-arm over angles across the left-hander
• Understanding the geometry gives you an edge

In this lesson you will learn how the angle changes depending on where you bowl from. A right-arm bowler going over the wicket to a left-hander angles the ball across them towards the slips, which can create edges but makes lbw less likely. Going around the wicket brings the ball in towards the stumps from a wider angle, which can bring lbw and bowled into play and attacks the left-hander's stumps. Left-arm bowlers face the mirror image. There is no single correct choice. Many bowlers experiment with both to see which suits their skills and the batter. Always tell the umpire when you change, so the batter can be informed.

• Right-arm over angles across, bringing edges
• Around the wicket attacks the stumps and brings lbw
• Left-arm bowlers face the mirror image
• Tell the umpire when you change

In this lesson you will learn which lines tend to work. As with right-handers, the channel just outside off stump is a strong default, but remember that off stump is now on the other side. Right-arm bowlers going over the wicket must be careful not to drift too wide outside the left-hander's off stump, where they can be cut. A full, straight line, especially from around the wicket, can attack the stumps. Be careful with leg-side lines, as T20 playing conditions usually interpret leg-side wides strictly. Practise by placing a left-handed batter or a target at the other end, so that your eyes and body get used to the different picture.

• Channel outside the left-hander's off stump
• Avoid drifting too wide where you can be cut
• Full and straight from around the wicket attacks the stumps
• Leg-side wides are judged strictly in T20

In this lesson you will learn how movement changes against left-handers. A delivery that swings away from a right-hander, the outswinger, will swing into a left-hander, and the inswinger to a right-hander becomes an away-swinger to a left-hander. This means you might need to switch your stock delivery depending on the batter. For example, a right-arm bowler who naturally swings the ball into right-handers now has a ball that moves away from left-handers, which can bring edges. Think about which movement gives you the best chance against each batter. Communicate with your captain about how the fields should change with the swing.

• Outswing to a right-hander swings into a left-hander
• Inswing to a right-hander moves away from a left-hander
• Your stock ball may change role
• Adjust fields to match the movement

In this lesson you will learn how spin changes against left-handers. A right-arm off-spinner's stock ball turns away from a left-hander, which can be very effective, bringing edges and stumpings. A leg-spinner's leg-break turns into a left-hander, while the googly turns away. Left-arm orthodox spinners turn the ball into left-handers, so they often bowl from around the wicket to straighten the line or use arm balls to beat the outside edge. Spinners should also watch for left-handers sweeping and reverse sweeping. Knowing which way your stock ball turns against each batter helps you decide your line, angle and field settings.

• Off-spin turns away from left-handers
• Leg-break turns in; googly turns away
• Left-arm orthodox turns into left-handers
• Plan line, angle and field by turn direction

In this lesson you will learn how to change your field when a left-hander is on strike. Most field positions have to be mirrored, for example the slips move to the other side, and point and cover become their leg-side equivalents for the left-hander. Your captain will usually manage this, but as the bowler you should know the plan and help move fielders quickly. Left and right-hand batting partnerships force frequent changes, which can slow the over rate. Agree simple, quick changes in advance and keep your field settings clear. Fast, organised changes keep pressure on the batting side and help you finish your overs on time.

• Most field positions are mirrored
• Know the plan and help move fielders quickly
• Left-right partnerships cause frequent changes
• Agree quick changes to protect the over rate

In this lesson you will bring everything together. When the batting side has a left and right-hand pair, singles change the strike and the angles every ball. Make a simple plan for each batter before the over starts, including your line, whether you will bowl over or around the wicket, and your field. Keep your plans simple enough that you can switch quickly. Many bowlers stay over the wicket to both batters for rhythm and adjust their line instead, while others change angle. Whichever you choose, commit to it. Review your figures after matches to see how you perform against left-handers, and practise the areas that need work.

• Plan for each batter before the over
• Keep plans simple enough to switch quickly
• Commit to your chosen angle and line
• Review performance against left-handers after matches