by Yash Hindocha
(Kolkata)
Dale Steyn : Power Of The Stock Ball
Hello Sir, I’m 15 years old. Presently I’m concentrating a lot on my bowling, I used to be an All-Rounder but now I’ve planned to be a bowler. Actually sir, my bowling action is similar to a Pakistani bowler, Sohail Tanvir. I jump on the wrong foot but still I bowl really good, my main problem is that I don’t have variety of deliveries!! And that’s what makes me a bit sad. I can bowl the slow and the the out swinger really well!! I’ve tried a lot to bowl the in-swinger and the short delivery, but I’ve failed. What should I do? And yes sir, shall I bowl from closer to the wicket?
Hi Yash,
keep working on your batting, there is plenty of time to work on both, it will be an asset when you are older for selection, all rounders are worth double !
As you know, bowling off the wrong foot isn’t a problem, it can be a positive for you as the batters struggle to get the timing of their bat swing and movements right.
You need to be clear on one thing as a bowler, your stock ball, the ball you bowl 90% of the time and the ball you build your over on, is the most important ball in your armoury.
Until you have complete control of this you can forget about the other deliveries, every ball is a variation until you have a stock ball !
I have written elsewhere on this in this section on cricket bowling tips, have a look under the tips for control, work on this till you have it at your command.
If you have the away swinger then focus on making this your stock ball, you will have seen in this current Test match between South Africa and Pakistan how devastating it is when bowled well. Dale Steyn’s figures of six for eight in the first innings of this test match are testimony to this. You will also see a bowler of lesser pace equally as dangerous, in Vernon Philander.
Your stock ball becomes the center of your game plan and strategy.
You mention getting close to the stumps, see how Dale and Vernon bowl wicket to wicket and how it challenges the batter to make a decision to play or leave. So this is something for you to work on, be patient with this but set the goal to master it, it will help you to play at a higher level as you get older.
Leave the variations for the time being whilst you master this.
Best wishes Coach
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About Richard Pybus
I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.