For all you young cricket fans out there, especially you young, budding leg spinners, I have written up tips for you to be successful, wicket-taking machines!
We all know that leg spin is difficult to master and is especially annoying when you are getting hit for sixes every ball. But if you follow my simple rules, you are guaranteed to get bagfuls of wickets! Leg spin is indeed a difficult art, but it's not impossible!
Try to Relax
When bowling, being tense and uncomfortable is the last thing you want. Batsmen can sense when you are tense and they take the attack to you when they see this. Breathe-relax! Don't grip the ball too hard, as this will add to your tenseness and when you are tense you can't do what you want at the other end which is-take wickets! Don't watch professional leg spinners and copy them exactly because when you do this, you are being them and not yourself. Whether it's the grip, run up, flight or pace-Don't copy other people-do what is comfortable for you!! Being yourself when you bowl will mean getting the most wickets, which, after all, is what you, and your team wants!
Line and Length
I have seen many young leg spinners, ripping the ball with plenty of spin but still getting slogged to the boundary. This is because their line and length was awful. As a spinner, whether it be off spin or leg spin, you have to remember one very important rule-INVITE THE BATSMAN TO DRIVE. Another important rule for a spinner of any kind is to never bowl short. This is just putting the ball on a plate for the batsman to hit for six. If you get your line and length right, then concentrate on spin, everything else will follow.
Vary Your Deliveries
Bowling the same delivery every time, pitching it in the same place, bowling with the same pace, flight and spin is something you don't want to be doing when bowling competitively. If you do this, the batsman will be able to read your every ball and will adjust so that they can play you comfortably and easily. Put in a ball with extra spin and flight-this will tempt the batsman to hit, follow this ball with a quicker, flatter delivery-this will make the batsman play on the back foot and will make a mistake due to the sudden change of pace and flight. These are just a few suggestions but, as leg spinners, I am sure you know exactly what I'm on about.
Having said this, don't be tempted to bowl quick and flat all the time because at the end of the day, spinners have to deceive the batsman in flight. Bowling quick and flat will mean that the ball loses considerable amount of spin and will not turn as much. Flight the ball- but not too much, and remember that quick, flatter delivery because you don't want the batsman to be able to play you with ease, do you?
Don't Lose Concentration and Never Give Up
Sometimes, no matter how well you bowl, there will be a batsman who loves playing spin and will attack you. Don't let your head fall if you get hit for a boundary, just reply with your next delivery. Never give up, because as a leg spinner there will be times when you feel hopeless and worthless but, just remember, you have a talent that most cricketers would love to have. Also, being young and bowling spin shows a lot of courage and determination so keep going, never give up.
Set Your Field Accordingly
After you have measured your run up, you then have the delightful task of setting your field. It all depends on your style of bowling, if you are a spinner who gives plenty of flight, make sure you have fielders right on the boundary because batsmen will go for you-but don't worry, when batsmen try to hit you out of the park, they make mistakes which means, you get wickets. =)
Learn the fielding positions and don't let your captain set your field for you, because it is you who knows what type of shots the batsman is likely to play from your bowling and you need to have people on various positions on the field and you need to be able to change it around with different batsmen, depending on their shot selection and temperament.
The All Important - Follow Through
Just like any other bowlers, for spinners, the follow through is vital! Ever heard of the phrase “Explode in your follow through?” Well, it basically means all your energy must be released after you have bowled the ball. You do this by rotating your hips and shoulders so that your bowling arm and bowling side are all in line and facing the target. This is very important! By making sure you follow through correctly, it will mean that you will not bowl short and that you will get the ball to pitch exactly where you want it to. Just to make sure, following through does not mean bowling faster! This is a general misconception and you mustn't let it confuse you. Let me just let you know, if you practice in the nets by rotation your shoulders, follow through will become second nature to you-after all, it is vital for any type of bowler!
Practice, Practice, and Practice
It is no good if you just read these rules and not practice them! The best way to practice is by going with a friend who is a decent batsman and bowling to them. Experiment with your flight, run up and pace until you feel comfortable and you know you will get plenty of wickets. Practice as much as you can and always aim to spin the ball as much as you can, bearing in mind, where you pitch the ball and make sure you give the batsman a hard time!
Never give up! It won't happen overnight but if you remember and follow my tips, you are on your way to becoming an even better leg spin bowler!
