Playing Spin Bowling

In this lesson you will learn the main types of spin and which way the ball turns. For a right-handed batter, an off-spinner bowling with the right arm turns the ball from off to leg, into the batter. A leg-spinner bowling with the right arm turns the ball from leg to off, away from the batter, and may also bowl a googly that turns the other way. A left-arm orthodox spinner turns the ball away from the right-hander, and a left-arm wrist spinner turns it into the right-hander. For left-handed batters these directions are reversed. You will learn that knowing which way the ball should turn helps you choose your shots and line up the ball correctly.

• Off-spin turns into the right-hander
• Leg-spin turns away from the right-hander
• Googly turns the opposite way to leg-spin
• Directions reverse for left-handers

In this lesson you will learn to read spin bowling. Watch the bowler's hand at release to see which way the fingers or wrist are turning, and look for the seam position as the ball comes out. Watch the flight, because a ball that dips late or is tossed up higher may land fuller or shorter than you expect. You will learn that reading the length early is just as important against spin as against pace, because it decides whether you go forward or back. If you cannot read the ball out of the hand, you can still read it off the pitch by watching it closely after it bounces, so play late and with soft hands until you are confident.

• Watch the hand and wrist at release
• Look for the seam position
• Judge the flight and dip
• If unsure, play late off the pitch

In this lesson you will learn to use your feet to come down the pitch. By moving towards the ball, you can turn a good length delivery into a full one, which you can then drive or smother before it turns. Move quickly and decisively, keeping your head still and level and your body side on, and get to the pitch of the ball. You will learn that this is a powerful way to unsettle a spinner, but it carries the risk of being stumped if you miss. Commit fully once you go, because stopping halfway leaves you stranded. Mix it up so the bowler cannot predict your movement, and only come down when you have read the length.

• Move down the pitch to make the ball full
• Get to the pitch and smother the turn
• Commit fully once you go
• Beware the stumping if you miss

In this lesson you will learn the opposite option, going back deep in your crease. By moving back towards your stumps, you turn a good length ball into a shorter one, giving yourself more time to watch the turn and play it off the back foot. You can then cut, pull, punch or work the ball into gaps. You will learn to stay balanced and to avoid treading on your stumps, which would be out hit wicket. Going deep is especially useful against a bowler who is dropping the ball slightly short. The best players of spin use both options, forward and back, so that the bowler struggles to find a length that keeps them quiet.

• Go back to make the ball shorter
• More time to watch the turn
• Cut, pull, punch or work into gaps
• Avoid treading on the stumps

In this lesson you will learn a key principle: play with the turn rather than against it. If the ball is turning into you, it is safer to hit it towards the leg side, the way it is spinning, than to drive it through the off side against the spin. If the ball is turning away, the off side is the safer direction. Hitting against the spin with a closed or open face is a common cause of leading edges and catches. You will also learn to use a straight bat and soft hands when defending, so that an edge drops rather than carries. Watch where the fielders are, because captains often set them for the shot that plays against the turn.

• Hit in the direction the ball is turning
• Turning in: leg side is safer
• Turning away: off side is safer
• Against the spin risks leading edges

In this lesson you will learn how to keep the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs of a T20 innings, when spinners often try to slow the scoring. Look for singles by working the ball into gaps with soft hands, using the angle of the bat face. Drop the ball short of the close fielders and run hard. Sweeps and paddle shots can also help you rotate the strike. You will learn that rotating the strike frustrates the bowler, because it stops them settling into a rhythm against one batter. Aim to avoid long sequences of dot balls, which build pressure and often lead to a rash shot. Communication with your partner is essential to make these quick runs safely.

• Work the ball into gaps with soft hands
• Drop the ball short of close fielders
• Use sweeps and paddles for singles
• Avoid long runs of dot balls

In this lesson you will look at the faults that most often lead to dismissals against spin. Staying stuck on the crease lets the bowler dictate the length. Coming down the pitch without reading the length can leave you stumped. Pushing hard at the ball with the bat ahead of the pad brings edges to slip and short leg. Planting the front pad in line without a bat leaves you open to leg before wicket. Under the Laws of Cricket, you are out stumped if you are out of your ground, not attempting a run, and the wicketkeeper puts down your wicket. You will learn to fix these faults with clear decisions, decisive footwork and soft hands.

• Stuck on the crease lets the bowler dictate
• Charging without reading the length
• Hard hands bring edges to close fielders
• Stumped: out of your ground, not attempting a run

In this lesson you will put everything together into a simple plan. Before you face a spinner, look at the field, identify where the singles and boundary options are, and decide on one or two scoring shots you trust. Watch the first few balls closely to read the turn and the pace of the pitch. Use your feet early to show the bowler you will move, then mix forward and back to stop them finding a rhythm. Rotate the strike when you cannot find a boundary. Talk to your partner about what the ball is doing. You will learn that a clear plan, simple and repeatable, makes you far harder to bowl to and calmer at the crease.

• Read the field before you face
• Choose one or two trusted scoring shots
• Mix forward and back footwork
• Talk to your partner about the turn