In-Swing
Also known as: inswing, inswinger, in-swinger
In-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from off to leg (in towards the body of a right-handed batter), often targeting the stumps or pads.
An in-swinging delivery is held with the seam upright and the shiny side to the off side. The aerodynamics cause the ball to curve through the air towards the leg side. For a right-handed batter, the ball moves in towards the body and the stumps. An in-swinger poses different challenges to an out-swinger. This means it can trap the batter LBW if it starts on a full length aimed at off stump and curves in to hit the stumps. It can also shatter the stumps if the batter plays outside the line. Batters must guard both the stumps and the pads and can be "pinned" — unable to play freely — by consistent in-swing. The angle of swing, the amount of swing, and whether it happens early or late in the delivery all affect how dangerous the in-swinger is.
Line up the seam. As a result, it points toward first slip with the rough side facing the leg side and the shiny side on the off side. This is the standard in-swing setup that encourages the ball to curve in.
Combine in-swing with a well-disguised off-cutter at the same pace and seam position to create a pair of deliveries that look identical from the hand but move in opposite directions after pitching.
Example
The bowler swings the new ball late into the right-handed batter's pads from outside off stump; the batter misses it and is given LBW.
Why it matters
In-swing attacks the stumps and pads in a way the out-swinger cannot. SwingVantage's cricket analysis (in development) will measure seam position and release alignment so bowlers can understand which variations produce in-swing reliably.
How it shows up on video
In-swing is visible on video as the ball curving from off to leg in the air on its way to the batter. This moves toward the right-handed batter's body. Batters caught by in-swing are often seen playing for a straight ball and being deceived as it curves into them late. This results in an LBW, a leading edge, or a ball that sneaks between bat and pad.
Common mistakes
- Not positioning the seam correctly at 45 degrees pointing toward first slip, so no swing is generated
- Bowling too wide of off stump so the batter can leave the in-swinger without risk to the stumps
- Using a round-arm action that reduces the ability to get the seam up and the shoulder position needed for in-swing
- Failing to complement in-swing with a ball that holds its line or cuts away to create contrast in the batter's mind
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage cricket analysis (currently in development) will map ball trajectory in the horizontal plane from release through to the crease to measure the amount and direction of lateral deviation and classify it as in-swing.
Related terms
- Out-SwingOut-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from leg to off (away from the body of a right-handed batter), enticing an edge towards the slip cordon.
- Swing BowlingSwing bowling is making a fast-bowled ball curve sideways through the air. This means toward the batter (inswing) or away (outswing). This means by exploiting the pressure difference created when one side of the ball is shinier than the other.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)LBW is a mode of dismissal. This means if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first. This means under specific conditions. This means the umpire can rule them leg before wicket.
- Seam BowlingSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped. As a result, the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam. This causes it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.