Inswing

• Inswing is when the bowler swings the ball in towards the body of the batsman. Bowlers generally bowl this delivery to try and hit the stumps to bowl the batsman out, or as a variation to the outswinger if the batsman is not expecting it. To bowl an inswinger, the bowler should grip the ball with the shiny side on the off (left hand) side to a right-handed batsman and release it so the seam remains upright during the flight. This is reversed for a left-hander.
  
  

Outswing

• Outswing is when the bowler delivers a ball that moves away from the batsman in the air. A bowler will bowl this delivery with the aim of getting the batsman to "nick" (not make full contact) so that it can be caught by the fielders behind the wicket, the "slips" and "gully." To bowl an outswinger the bowler should place his two middle fingers either side of the seam with the shiny side of the ball pointing at the leg (right hand) side for a right-handed batsman. This is reversed for a left-hander and the bowler should make sure the seam remains vertical in flight to allow the ball to swing.
  
  

When Swing Happens

• Swing generally happens when the ball is relatively new and becomes less as the ball gets older throughout the innings. The fielding side shine one side of the ball on their trousers while allowing the other side to get rougher. This means that the shiny side travels faster through the air with the rougher side acting as a brake, pushing the ball in that direction in flight.
  
  

Reverse Swing

• Reverse swing happens as the ball becomes older and more worn. The ball moves in the opposite direction to that in which the bowler's grip normally swings it. This normally happens late on in the delivery flight, making it very hard for the batsman to spot it. Not all bowlers can bowl this type of delivery as it normally needs to be delivered at speeds of over 80 mph.