In cricket, what is the term for a delivery that swings back into a right-handed batter from outside off?
VerifiedAnswer: Inswinger
Explanation:
An inswinger is one of the most effective bowling techniques in cricket that can trouble even experienced batters. This delivery gets its name because it swings inward toward the batter, making it particularly challenging to play when executed well.
When a bowler delivers an inswinger to a right-handed batter, the ball initially travels on a line outside the off-stump but then curves back toward the batter's body and the stumps. This movement happens due to the way air flows around the cricket ball during its flight. The bowler achieves this swing by holding the ball with the seam angled toward the leg side and keeping one side of the ball shinier than the other.
The physics behind an inswinger involves the difference in air pressure on either side of the ball. The rough side creates more air resistance, while the smooth, shiny side allows air to flow more easily. This difference causes the ball to move toward the rough side, creating the inward swing that gives this delivery its name.
For a right-handed batter, the inswinger poses several challenges. Since the ball starts outside off-stump, the batter might initially think they can leave it alone or play it with an angled bat. However, as the ball swings back in, it can catch the inside edge of the bat, leading to catches behind the wicket, or worse, it might sneak through the gap between bat and pad to hit the stumps.
Many legendary fast bowlers have mastered the inswinger throughout cricket history. Players like Wasim Akram, James Anderson, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have used this delivery to great effect, often setting up batters by bowling outswingers first and then surprising them with a sharp inswinger.
The effectiveness of an inswinger depends on several factors including weather conditions, the age of the ball, and the bowler's skill in maintaining the ball's condition. Humid conditions often help the ball swing more, making inswingers even more dangerous for batters to face.
