“If you are a fast bowler, your job is to bowl fast, hit the batsman and knock the stumps over.”

The quote from the former Australian fast bowler, Brett Lee, pretty much sums up the fear the fast bowlers can strike into the hearts of batsmen worldwide.

Fast bowling, in general, is one of the greatest sights in cricket as the bowler   comes charging in from a long run-up to deliver the ball at break-neck speeds of up to 150-kilometres per hour. Mind you, Lee has even managed to clock 160-kilometres per hour!

Fast bowlers can normally be divided into left and right arm fast bowlers, each with a number of deliveries to cause havoc to opposition batsmen.

Stock delivery:

The normal stock delivery is usually bowled with the seam facing upwards. The main purpose of this delivery is to go on straight with assistance coming from the pitch or the quality of the newer ball. Swing and shape will also occur depending on the bowler’s action.

Inswinger:

The inswinger is a devastating delivery, the main aim of which is to get a batsman out leg before wicket (LBW) or bowl the batsman. The ball is held with the shiny side facing towards the slips. It is important to pitch the ball outside off-stump for it to swing back into the right-hander.

Outswinger:

The outswinger is the exact opposite of the inswinger with the main aim of inducing an edge from the batsman when he tries to play the ball. The ball will move away from the right-handed batsman with the shiny side of the ball facing the batsman. Wrist position is also very important in order to get the ball to swing and swing late.

Bouncer:

The bouncer is another effective weapon in the fast bowler’s arsenal and can be used to intimidate the batsman. No batsman likes a ball around his head and this delivery was one of the main reasons why helmets were introduced in the 1980s. It is also a great wicket-taking or surprise delivery where batsmen can get caught out when attempting to play a bouncer.

Slower ball:

The slower ball has come into effect the most in the past couple of years with one-day internationals and T20 matches coming into full force. A dramatic change of pace from 140-kilometres to 110-kilometres per hour can have a drastic effect. The batsman has to adjust and, most often, is caught out by a good and well-disguised slower ball. The key is to not modify the action so that it does not seem as if the bowler is going to deliver the ball at a slower pace.

Read more articles on cricket here:

https://www.citizen.co.za/potchefstroom-herald/13090/know-your-sport-cricket-reverse-swing/

https://www.citizen.co.za/potchefstroom-herald/13621/know-your-sport-cricket-spin-bowling/