Arm Ball (Finger Spinner's Straight One)
Also known as: arm ball, arm ball in cricket, the arm ball, off spinner arm ball, picking the arm ball, arm ball delivery
An arm ball is a finger spinner's variation that does not turn and carries straight on with the bowler's arm. For a right-arm off-spinner it holds its line or drifts away from a right-hander. Batters playing for turn get beaten on the outside edge or trapped LBW.
An off-spinner's stock ball turns in from off to leg. The arm ball is released with little or no spin, often with the seam upright or pointing towards slip. It skids on in the direction of the arm instead of turning. The same idea works for left-arm orthodox spinners, where it goes on with the arm into the right-hander.
Its power is in looking the same as the stock ball. The batter expects turn and plays inside the line. The ball goes straight on and beats the outside edge, hits the pad or takes the stumps. It is often a little quicker and flatter than the stock ball.
Batters pick it in three ways. Watch the hand at release, the seam position and the pace. A ball with little visible spin, an upright seam and extra pace may be the arm ball. Playing straight with the bat beside the pad helps against both deliveries. Avoid playing for turn on balls you have not read.
Tips by skill level
Against finger spin, play with the bat close to the pad and as straight as you can. That covers the turning ball and the arm ball.
Watch the seam. An upright seam or one angled to slip often means no turn. Note any change of pace in the bowler's run-up or arm speed.
Example
The off-spinner bowls three that turn in. The fourth looks the same but goes straight on. The batter plays for turn, misses, and is out LBW.
Why it matters
The arm ball is one of a finger spinner's main wicket-taking variations. Reading it decides whether you edge it or leave it.
Common mistakes
- Playing for turn on every ball from a finger spinner
- Pushing at the ball with the bat away from the pad
- Not watching the hand and seam at release
Frequently asked questions
What is an arm ball in cricket?
It is a finger spinner's ball that does not turn and goes straight on with the arm. It looks like the stock ball, so batters playing for turn miss it.
How do you pick an arm ball?
Watch the hand and seam at release. Little spin, an upright seam and extra pace often mean the arm ball. Play straight so you are covered either way.
Related terms
- Off-SpinOff-spin is finger-spin bowling that turns the ball from off to leg, toward a right-handed batter. It uses the fingers, not the wrist, and its stock delivery is the off-break.
- Left-Arm Orthodox SpinLeft-arm orthodox spin is finger spin from a left-arm bowler. The stock ball turns from leg to off, away from a right-handed batter and into a left-hander. To play it as a right-hander, cover off stump, play with the turn through the off side and watch for the arm ball that goes straight on.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)LBW is a mode of dismissal. Under specific conditions, the umpire can rule the batter leg before wicket. That applies if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first.
- Straight BatPlaying with a straight bat means swinging the bat vertically, in line with the ball's path. It is the safest, most orthodox way to defend and drive full or good-length balls.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.