In cricket, what is "building pressure" in bowling terms?
VerifiedAnswer: Consistently bowling tight, accurate deliveries to restrict scoring and induce errors from the batter.
Explanation:
Building pressure is one of the most fundamental bowling strategies in cricket. It's like slowly tightening a rope - the bowler maintains consistent line and length accuracy over several deliveries, making it difficult for the batter to score freely. This tactical approach doesn't rely on taking wickets immediately but focuses on creating challenging conditions that eventually force the batter into making mistakes.
The key elements of building pressure include bowling in the same corridor consistently, maintaining a tight line just outside the off-stump, and delivering at a good length that makes scoring difficult. When bowlers execute this strategy well, batters find themselves unable to rotate the strike easily or find boundaries. The scoreboard starts moving slowly, which naturally creates mental pressure on the batting side.
This approach is particularly effective in longer formats like Test cricket, where patience becomes crucial. However, it's equally valuable in limited-overs cricket where dot balls create pressure due to the required run rate. As the pressure builds, batters often attempt risky shots to break free from the stranglehold, which frequently results in wickets falling to what might otherwise be ordinary deliveries.
