Slower Balls and Change of Pace

In this lesson you will learn why a slower ball can be so effective. Batters time their shots based on the pace they expect. When a ball arrives later than expected, the batter can be through the shot too early, mistiming it in the air or missing it altogether. In T20 cricket, where batters are often committed to big shots, this deception can bring catches and bowled dismissals and make boundary hitting much harder. A slower ball does not need to be extremely slow. A difference of ten to fifteen per cent, well disguised, is often enough. The key is that the batter does not pick it until it is too late.

• Batters time shots to expected pace
• Late arrival causes early, mistimed shots
• Very effective against committed big hitters
• A well-disguised small drop in pace is enough

In this lesson you will learn that disguise matters more than the variation itself. Your run-up, approach speed, action and arm speed should look identical to your stock ball. If you slow down your run or your arm, a good batter will spot it. Try to hide your grip until late in your approach, perhaps by covering the ball with your other hand. The speed change should come from the grip and the release, not from a slower body. Ask a teammate to watch from the batter's end and tell you whether they can pick your slower ball. Filming from the front can also reveal giveaways you did not know you had.

• Same run-up, action and arm speed as the stock ball
• Hide the grip until late
• Pace change comes from grip and release
• Ask a teammate or use video to spot giveaways

In this lesson you will learn the off-cutter slower ball, which is often the easiest variation to learn. Hold the ball with the seam angled across slightly and, at release, drag your index and middle fingers down the side of the ball, as if turning a door handle, rather than through the back of it. This takes pace off and imparts some sideways spin, so the ball may grip and move into a right-handed batter off the pitch. It is especially effective on dry or slow pitches. Aim for a good length or slightly back of a length, so the batter has to generate their own power against a ball that holds up off the surface.

• Fingers drag down the side of the ball
• Takes pace off and grips on slow pitches
• Moves into a right-hander
• Bowl at good length or back of a length

In this lesson you will learn the knuckle ball. Instead of holding the ball on your fingertips, you tuck the tops of your index and middle fingers, and sometimes the third finger, behind the ball so that the knuckles or fingernails rest on it. At release, you push the ball out with the knuckles rather than flicking it with the fingertips, which removes much of the backspin and reduces the pace. The ball can float and dip, making it very hard to time. The knuckle ball needs plenty of practice before you take it into matches, as it can easily drift into a full toss. Start with short distances and build up gradually.

• Tuck fingertips so knuckles rest on the ball
• Push out with the knuckles, removing backspin
• Ball floats and dips
• Needs lots of practice; start short and build up

In this lesson you will meet two further slower balls. The back-of-the-hand slower ball is released with the wrist rotated so that the ball comes out over the back of the hand, a little like a leg-spinner. It produces a loopy, slower trajectory that is hard to pick but can be difficult to control. The split-finger slower ball is held with the index and middle fingers spread wide apart either side of the ball, which reduces the force through the fingers and slows the ball down. Both variations take time to master. Choose one or two slower balls that you can control well rather than trying to bowl every variety.

• Back-of-the-hand: wrist rotated, loopy flight
• Split-finger: fingers spread wide
• Both are hard to control at first
• Master one or two rather than many

In this lesson you will learn where to land your slower balls. A slower ball that is too full can become a juicy full toss, and one that is too short can sit up and be pulled. Many bowlers aim for a slightly fuller length than their stock good length, so the ball dips onto the batter, or for a back-of-a-length delivery that holds up off the pitch. Bowling the slower ball wide of off stump to a longer boundary can encourage a mistimed shot into the field. Think about the boundary sizes at the ground, the batter's favourite scoring areas and your field when you choose your line and length.

• Too full becomes a full toss, too short sits up
• Dip onto the batter or hold up off the pitch
• Use the longer boundary
• Plan around the field and batter's strengths

In this lesson you will learn about timing your variations. A slower ball is most effective when the batter is expecting pace, perhaps after a quick bouncer, or when they are committed to attacking. Using it too often makes it predictable, and good batters will wait for it. Mix your slower balls with yorkers and stock deliveries, and watch the batter's movements to see if they are setting up early. Talk with your captain and wicketkeeper about the plan, and agree signals if helpful. In practice, bowl overs that mix stock and slower balls, scoring yourself on both disguise and accuracy, so that the skills come together under pressure.

• Most effective when the batter expects pace
• Overuse makes it predictable
• Mix with yorkers and stock balls
• Practise mixed overs, scoring disguise and accuracy