When a team opens its bowling, (the opponents are simultaneously opening their batting), they put their pace bowlers first. The two fast bowlers open the bowling attack, bowling for about 6 overs each. Since the ball is initially hard, it does not spin much. The captain marshals his bowlers around.
The fast bowler's job is to get as many early wickets (batsmen out) as possible and make inroads into the opposing line-up. This would put the opposition into dire straights. The bowlers use their arsenal of speed, swing, seam and cutters into use.
After 12-15 overs the spinners come to bowl. Spinners like the soft ball as it has greater rotations. Usually the fast bowlers bowl the initial 15 overs; After them the spinners and medium pace bowlers come between the 15 and 30 overs to bowl.
After that, the initial seamers return around the 30 to 40th overs to complete their quota of 10 overs. There is no fixed rule as to when a bowler can bowl, as long as he bowls a maximum 10 overs. He is not allowed to bowl 2 consecutive overs.
Objectives
The main objective of the bowler is to take wickets. Usually the batting order is such that the best players bat first. If you take wickets, it exposes the not-so-good batsmen. This usually results in the opposition score being kept low.
The second objective of the bowler is to keep his economy rate low. Economy rate is the number of runs scored of his bowling per over he bowls. If he succeeds in keeping the economy rate below 3 an over, for say 4 of his overs; this would create some pressure on the batsman to score runs. Then two things can happen: A 6 or some 4's are hit, to ease the pressure; or the batsman plays a rash stroke, thus getting out.
The third objective of a bowler is to limit the number of wides and no-balls he bowls.
Line & Length
The bowler must bowl a tight line and length. The best line would be pitching the ball just outside the off stump. On TV, this would mean that the ball passes between the batsman's bat and body.
The ideal length to bowl is the good length balls, which bounce around the batsman's waist level. At this height, it is difficult for the batsman's to free his arms to hit the ball. But bowlers should also mix the length, i.e. vary the bounce so that the batsman doesn't get settled. A bouncer (above the head) can unsettle the batsman.
The bowler can also bowl a surprise speed ball, at a slower/faster speed than he normally bowls. Such surprises often result in a wicket falling (batsman getting dismissed).
Bowling First
If the team is bowling first, taking wickets helps in slowing the opposition get a huge score. As the batsmen are looking to put up a decent total, the bowlers must bowl accurately. The best line the bowlers bowl is that the ball passes just outside the off-stump.
After the 15 overs are up, the game tempo slows down a bit. There aren't too many boundaries (4's) hit. After the 35th over, the batsmen are again looking to hit out, so during this period, the most experienced bowlers bowl. The last 15 overs are known as the SLOG or DEATH overs. As the batsmen are looking to hit as many big hits as possible, bowlers get hit around and their economy rate worsens. However this is also the most productive part of the game for the bowlers as wickets tumble here.
Bowling Second
If the batsmen have scored above 250 runs in the first innings, the team bowlers have a good total to defend when the opposition chases that target. They try to be as miserly as possible in letting runs being scored. Taking wickets is crucial to win the match, as the more wickets the opposition have in hand (not-out batsmen), greater chances of the batsmen scoring runs rapidly. If the bowlers are defending less than 200 runs, wicket taking is imperative to win the match.
Overs of the Match
| OVERS | WHAT HAPPENS |
|---|---|
| 0 -15 | The first few overs the fast bowlers rule. Here batsmen look to hit the ball for many runs, as there are fielding restrictions. A run fest in this period. |
| 15-30 | The 12th to the 30th overs, spinners and medium pacers bowl. Usually wickets fall during this period. |
| 30-50 | After the 30th over, batsmen are looking to accelerate the scoring. The experienced bowlers of the team bowl here. Being economical here is vital. But wicket taking really slows the pace of the run making. So usually the fast bowlers come on to finish their quota of 10 overs. Playing a spinner in the last 10 overs is risky, as it is relatively easier to hit a spinner for 4's and 6's. |