Over vs Around the Wicket: Understanding Bowling Angles and Strategies
In cricket, bowlers have the option of delivering the ball over the wicket or around the wicket, depending on the situation, their bowling style, and the type of batsman they are facing. The choice of angle influences how the ball behaves after pitching and impacts the fielding setup. Understanding when and why bowlers switch between over and around the wicket is key to appreciating the strategic nuances of the game. In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between these two approaches and the scenarios in which each is used.
What Does "Over the Wicket" Mean?
When a bowler delivers the ball over the wicket, they approach the stumps and bowl from the side of their bowling arm. For a right-arm bowler, this means bowling from the right side of the stumps. For a left-arm bowler, it means bowling from the left side. This is the most common bowling angle and provides a relatively straight path from the bowler’s hand to the batsman.
Bowling over the wicket allows the bowler to use the natural angle created by their bowling arm to target specific areas of the batsman’s stance, such as the off-stump or middle-stump. It is typically used to control line and length and build pressure on the batsman.
Advantages of Bowling Over the Wicket
- Natural Angle: Allows the bowler to swing the ball away from or into the batsman more naturally.
- Better Line Control: Easier for the bowler to control the line and hit consistent lengths.
- Conventional Field Setting: Standard field setups are more easily applied when bowling over the wicket.
What Does "Around the Wicket" Mean?
Bowling around the wicket involves the bowler delivering the ball from the side opposite to their bowling arm. For a right-arm bowler, this means bowling from the left side of the stumps, and for a left-arm bowler, from the right side. This angle offers a different perspective to the batsman and is often used as a tactical variation to change the angle of attack.
Bowling around the wicket can create sharp angles that make it more difficult for batsmen to play traditional shots. This tactic is often employed to unsettle a well-set batsman or to exploit weaknesses in their technique. It also forces the batsman to adjust their footwork and positioning.
Advantages of Bowling Around the Wicket
- Sharp Angle of Attack: Forces the batsman to adjust their stance and play more defensively.
- Changing the Line: Allows bowlers to target the batsman’s legs or body, making it harder to play conventional shots.
- Exploiting Batsman’s Weakness: Particularly effective against batsmen who struggle with deliveries aimed at their pads or legs.
When to Bowl Over the Wicket
Bowling over the wicket is generally the default approach for most bowlers, especially at the start of an innings. Here are some situations where bowling over the wicket is most effective:
1. Against Top-Order Batsmen
Over the wicket is ideal when bowling to top-order batsmen who are well-versed in traditional batting techniques. The bowler can build pressure by maintaining a consistent line and length, forcing the batsman to play defensively and patiently.
2. Swing Bowling
Fast bowlers looking to swing the ball (either away from or into the batsman) typically bowl over the wicket. The natural angle created by their delivery arm helps the ball move in the air more predictably, making it easier to control the swing and target the stumps.
3. Standard Field Placements
When captains want to employ conventional field settings, such as a slip cordon and gully, over the wicket is the preferred approach. The angle of attack aligns well with these field positions, allowing for easier catches off edges or mistimed shots.
When to Bowl Around the Wicket
Bowlers switch to around the wicket when they need to vary their line of attack or unsettle a batsman. Here are some common situations where bowling around the wicket is effective:
1. Targeting the Batsman’s Legs
Bowling around the wicket is often used to target the batsman’s leg stump or body, particularly for fast bowlers or spinners. This tactic is especially effective against batsmen who are uncomfortable playing deliveries directed at their legs or who struggle with deliveries that come into their pads.
2. Breaking a Batsman’s Rhythm
When a batsman has settled in and is playing well, switching to around the wicket can break their rhythm by forcing them to adjust their stance and footwork. The sharp angle can make it harder for the batsman to play traditional shots, especially drives or cuts.
3. Exploiting Rough Areas on the Pitch
In Test matches, where the pitch deteriorates over time, spinners often bowl around the wicket to exploit rough patches on the pitch. These areas, which are created by the footmarks of fast bowlers, can cause the ball to turn sharply or bounce unpredictably, making life difficult for batsmen.
Strategic Uses of Over and Around the Wicket in Different Formats
The choice between over and around the wicket is often influenced by the format of the game and the situation in the match:
1. Test Cricket
In Test matches, bowlers use both over and around the wicket depending on the state of the pitch and the batsman they are facing. Fast bowlers may start over the wicket to build pressure and switch to around the wicket to unsettle a well-set batsman or exploit rough areas.
2. Limited-Overs Cricket
In limited-overs cricket, particularly T20s, bowlers often switch to around the wicket during the death overs to limit run-scoring opportunities. The angle forces batsmen to change their shot selection, especially when they are trying to hit big shots to the boundary.
3. Swing and Reverse Swing
Fast bowlers who specialize in reverse swing often bowl around the wicket to create exaggerated movement. This tactic is particularly effective late in the innings when the ball has become old and scuffed, allowing it to swing unpredictably in the air.
Examples of Famous Over and Around the Wicket Tactics
Over the years, several bowlers have used both over and around the wicket tactics to great effect. Here are a couple of famous examples:
1. Mitchell Starc’s Around the Wicket Yorkers
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is known for his deadly yorkers when bowling around the wicket, especially to right-handed batsmen. By bowling around the wicket, Starc angles the ball into the batsman’s legs, making it difficult to defend or play attacking shots. His ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers has made him one of the most feared death bowlers in limited-overs cricket.
2. Ravindra Jadeja’s Over the Wicket Spin
Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja is a master of bowling over the wicket, particularly to left-handed batsmen. By bowling over the wicket, Jadeja gets the ball to drift in towards the batsman before spinning away, creating uncertainty and forcing mistakes. His control over line and length has made him a key player in India’s bowling attack in all formats.
Conclusion
The choice between over the wicket and around the wicket is a crucial tactical decision for any bowler. While over the wicket offers more conventional angles and control, bowling around the wicket can unsettle batsmen by creating new lines of attack and exploiting their weaknesses. Understanding when and why to switch between these approaches is key to building pressure, taking wickets, and maintaining control over the match. To see how these tactics can impact a bowler’s performance, check out our Bowling Strike Rate Calculator and analyze how bowling angles affect wicket-taking ability.