Off-Cutter
Also known as: off cutter, off-side cutter
The off-cutter is a pace bowling variation where the ball is cut off the index finger and middle finger to spin towards the off side off the pitch, acting like a slow off-break without a full-length spin action.
The off-cutter is produced by rotating the wrist and fingers from leg to off as the ball is released — specifically cutting the index finger down the right side of the ball (for a right-arm bowler). This imparts a clockwise (off-break) rotation that, on pitching, causes the ball to grip and deviate towards the off side. The key difference from an off-spinner's delivery is that the off-cutter is bowled from the pace-bowling action at reduced speed, maintaining deception. On sticky or worn pitches, the deviation can be significant. It is often used late in limited-overs matches when the pitch is tacky and the pitch surface aids cutters.
Example
The fast bowler cuts the fingers across the ball and delivers an off-cutter that grips the worn surface, moving sharply to take the off bail.
Why it matters
The off-cutter is the pace bowler's spin variation for conditions that suit grip. SwingVantage's cricket analysis (in development) will study wrist orientation at release to help bowlers master this specialist delivery.
Related terms
- Leg-CutterThe leg-cutter is a pace bowling variation where the ball is cut off the middle and ring fingers to move towards the leg side off the pitch, acting like a slow leg-break.
- Slower BallThe slower ball is a variation delivery bowled by a pace bowler at significantly reduced speed — usually 20–30 km/h below full pace — to deceive a batter expecting the standard pace.
- Seam BowlingSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped so the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam, causing it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.
- Off-SpinOff-spin is a style of finger-spin bowling that turns the ball from the off side into a right-handed batter (right to left), the stock delivery being the off-break.
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