Spin Bowling Tips - Extract

Spin Bowling Tips - Extract
This ebook is best viewed at 75% zoom.
This extract contains part of the section (2.2.6) on how to bowl the doosra (for off
spin bowlers) and the section (4.2.3) on how to bowl the slider/ back spinner (for leg
spinners).
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2.2.6 Doosra (Off Spinners)
The doosra is bowled by an off-spinner. Unlike the traditional off-break that spins into
the batsman from the off, this ball behaves more like a leg-spin delivery and spins
from leg to off. Therefore, this ball is a surprise variation for an off-spin bowler.
The doosra (meaning 'the other one') was first perfected by Saqlain Mushtaq but was
made famous by Muttiah Muralitharan. Other notable bowlers to use this delivery with
big success are Saeed Ajmal, Harbajan Singh and Johan Botha. In fact, this ball is
almost used as stock delivery by Saeed Ajmal.
There are two ways to bowl the doosra. If you want to use the doosra as a surprise
variation then I would recommend Method #1. However, if you would prefer to use
the doosra as your stock delivery then Method #2 would be the best.
.
Method 1
This method is best if you want to use it as a surprise variation as the action is the
same as the standard off-spin action and easier to hide from the batsman. Therefore,
it is very effective in deceiving batsmen when they expect the ball to turn the other
way. The drawback of this method is that the ball does not turn very much and is thus
not as effective as a stock delivery. This is the method used by Saqlain Mustaq and
Saeed Ajmal.
Grip
The grip for the doosra is identical to the standard off-spinner’s grip. The seam of the
ball runs across the fingers and most of the spin is being imparted by the index and
middle fingers. The ball should not be held too tight and the thumb should bend back
to be out of the way.
Action
As you are using the doosra here as a stock ball, you must stick to your standard off-
spinner's side on action.
Just Before Release
To disguise the doosra, follow a regular bowling action similar to bowling an off-spin
delivery. Just before the time of the release, you will rotate the wrist so that the back
of the hand faces square leg. Drop your shoulder (of the delivery arm) and bend the
elbow a little more than during the standard off-break delivery. Your point of delivery
will be a little lower than your off-spin stock delivery. Be careful not to straighten your
arm during the release.
Figure 1: Off-Spin Doosra Wrist Position (Method #1)

Back of hand faces towards mid-wicket and seam is angled towards 1st slip.
At Release
At the time of the release, the back of your hand should face towards square leg and
your fingers should spin the ball similar to an off-break. The changed wrist position
causes the ball to behave like a leg-break. This finger spin along with the rotation
from the wrist and shoulder imparts the spin to leg-break.
The doosra can be bowled with plenty flight or as a quicker delivery just like the
standard off spin.
Do not be fooled into thinking this is an easy delivery. Although it is most certainly not
impossible as there are many examples of bowlers who can bowl this delivery. Work
hard at bowling the doosra and you will also get there!
Method #2
This method is best if you want to use the doosra as your stock delivery as it will be
very difficult to hide it as a variation delivery. The ball turns much bigger with this
method if you get it right. It is not as effective for a surprise delivery as the action (at
release of the ball) is quite different from the standard off-spin action.
Method #2 is discussed and illustrated in the full version available at

4.2.3 Slider/ Back Spinner (Leg Spinners)
This delivery is the reverse of the top-spinner. Instead of bouncing and kicking as the
top-spinner does, the back spinner delivery will skid onto the batsman. This delivery
is great for trying to trap the batsman LBW.
Grip
The grip is exactly the same as the leg-spin stock delivery. Two fingers up and two
fingers down with the thumb on or off the ball as preferred.
Release
The ball releases the hand rotating backwards.
It is essentially the reverse of the top spinner (explained in previous chapter). The
thumb must face the batsmen and the side of the hand (on the little finger’s side)
must face the bowler, but with the back the hand facing towards mid-wicket.
Ball rotates in an anti- Ball slips out the front
clockwise direction of the hand
(from the bowler’s

point of view)
Figure 2: Leg-Spin Back Spinner Wrist Position (back)
Figure 3: Leg-Spin Back Spinner Wrist Position (front)
Action
The action is the same as the standard leg-spin stock delivery (explained in leg spin
stock delivery chapter).
The shoulders, hip and feet should be aligned with the target. The front arm leads
and steers the action and pulls down driving the action forward. As the front arm pulls
down the right shoulder will come forward generating the power in the delivery. The
right shoulder should rotate towards the target and finish with that shoulder facing the
stumps.
Line, Length, Flight and Target
The line, length and flight of the slider should be the same as the top-spinner. In
other words, aim it at the batsman and wickets. Bowling the ball too wide will lose the
advantage of the ball skidding and keeping low on the batsman.
The length should be a little shorter than normal. You want the batsman to play you
of the back foot with this delivery. You are looking for the ball to keep low and trap
him LBW.
You can vary the flight of the delivery as well. But do not bowl this delivery with too
much flight. The real weapon here is that you want the ball to skid and keep low –
and a quicker trajectory is better suited.
This delivery is very similar to the flipper but not as hard to bowl. So, start with this
one before moving onto the flipper – which I will describe in the next chapter.

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This ebook is best viewed at 75% zoom.

Please feel free to pass this on to your spin bowling friends!

Figure 1: Off-Spin Doosra Wrist Position (Method #1)

Method #2 is discussed and illustrated in the full version available at

The ball releases the hand rotating backwards.

Ball rotates in an anti- Ball slips out the front

clockwise direction of the hand

(from the bowler’s

Figure 2: Leg-Spin Back Spinner Wrist Position (back)

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