Facing Left-Arm Pace (Over and Round the Wicket)
Also known as: left arm fast bowling, left arm pace, left-arm seamer, left arm fast bowler, playing left arm pace, facing a left arm quick
A left-arm fast bowler bowling over the wicket angles the ball across a right-handed batter, from the leg side towards the slips. The danger ball is the one that swings or seams back in after that angle. Know your off stump, avoid planting your front foot across the line and play straight back down the ground.
Over the wicket means the bowling arm is nearest the stumps as the bowler passes them. Round, or around, the wicket means the bowler passes on the other side. For a right-hander, a left-armer over the wicket releases the ball from the leg side of the stumps. The ball then angles across towards off stump and the slips. Round the wicket, a left-armer angles the ball into a right-hander instead. Under Law 21.1 the bowler must tell the umpire before changing arm or side of the wicket. The umpire then tells the batter.
The angle creates two threats. Balls that hold their line across you tempt a drive at width and bring in the edge. Balls that swing or nip back in attack the stumps and pads. Batters who plant the front foot across towards off stump are exposed to that inswinger. Some coaches suggest opening the stance a little or adjusting the guard to see the angle better. Play the ball late and straight.
Left-handed batters face the opposite picture. From over the wicket the ball angles in towards them. From round the wicket it slants across. Whatever your hand, judge the line from the release point. Do not judge it as if the ball came from a right-armer. The angle changes what "just outside off stump" looks like.
Tips by skill level
If you can, practise against a left-arm bowler or a bowling machine set at the same angle. Work on leaving balls angled across you.
Watch the seam at release. A seam pointing towards fine leg usually means the ball will swing into a right-hander.
Example
A left-arm quick bowls over the wicket to a right-hander. Three balls angle across and the batter leaves them. The fourth swings back in late. The batter is still balanced and plays it straight back to the bowler.
Why it matters
Many batters see far less left-arm bowling in practice. The unfamiliar angle catches batters out, especially against the new ball.
Common mistakes
- Planting the front foot across towards off stump and getting LBW to the ball that comes back in
- Driving at balls angled across you with no foot movement
- Judging the line as if the bowler were right-armed
- Leaving a ball angled in that swings back onto the stumps
Frequently asked questions
How do I play left arm fast bowlers who angle the ball across me?
Know where your off stump is and leave balls angled across you that will miss it. Do not plant your front foot across the line. Be ready for the ball that swings back in and play it straight.
What does over the wicket and round the wicket mean?
Over the wicket means the bowling arm is nearest the stumps as the bowler passes them. Round the wicket means the bowler passes on the other side of the stumps. The umpire tells the batter when a bowler changes.
Sources
Related terms
- Playing Fast BowlingTo play fast bowling, finish any trigger movement before the ball is released so you are still and balanced. Watch the ball from the hand, decide forward or back early and play the ball late under your eyes. Leave balls outside off stump and have a clear plan for the short ball.
- In-SwingIn-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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line in Cricket (Off-Stump, Fourth-Stump and Leg-Stump Lines)Line describes how far across the pitch the ball is, from leg side to off side. Common lines are leg stump, middle stump, off stump, and the "fourth stump" and "fifth stump" lines outside off. The fourth stump line is an imaginary stump just outside off stump. Seam bowlers aim there to find edges.
- Batting Against the New BallThe new ball is hard and shiny with a raised seam. It swings, seams and bounces most. Against it, know your off stump, leave well, play late with soft hands and score mostly from balls on your pads or short and wide. Once the shine and hardness fade, batting usually gets easier.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.