CricInfo Logo

 Cricket Carnival




Carnival Home Net Sessions Press Box Cricket Chat

CricInfo Home CricInfo India CricInfo Interactive


Net Session

Want to be coached by the masters to improve your game?
Do it on the Internet at the Cricket Carnival.
Batting  Bowling  Fielding  Wicket Keeping
Gear | Pace bowling | Off spin | Leg spin | Cut off the pitch | Swing

Leg Spin Bowling:
[ Video demonstration of leg spin bowling ]
    Warne-Saqlain-Kumble

  • This is a ball, which turns from the leg side to the off side, often rather sharply. In this type of bowling there are many variations and is generally considered a difficult skill to master. This type of spin also has seen the most varied types of grips and action.


Grip:

  • The basic grip is to hold the ball between the index finger and the middle finger spread apart with the thumb alongside the index finger or off it. The first joint of the index finger is on the seam and the first and second joints of the middle finger are also on the seam underneath it.

Action:

  • The arm is rotated fully and brought above the head a little away from the right ear. The wrist is cocked and the palm faces mid wicket.

  • The wrist is rotated in an anticlockwise direction and the ball is released, aiming for a spot on the middle, leg stump or outside leg stump.

  • The front foot lands firm and the body pivots on it to bring the back foot forward.

  • Here also, the body must be in the side on position while delivering the ball.

  • The ball should come out from over the wrists. With the same grip and action, all the variations of leg spin can be bowled, which is explained in a later chapter.

Follow through:
    Warne

  • The follow through must be smooth and finish with the bowler at the alert. Here again, the pivot just as you deliver the ball is very important as it pulls you past the `danger' area of the wicket.