When a bowler runs up to bowl i try hard to keep my eye on the bowlers hand to try to see what sort of bowl he is bowling has anyone any tips to help give me a better understanding as to how the bowl will swing and whether the ball will come in or away from the stumps/bat depending on the type of spin the bowler is bowling.

 

Any help will be much appreciated especially as my season starts in two weeks.

 

 

 Cheers Nobby

 

First of all, spin bowlers don't really swing the ball.  They get drift!  It's hard to tell if a ball will drift when the bowler lets it go, it all depends on the ball if it's well shined or if a good wind is blowing across the ground.

 

Leggies and off breaks are easy to pick from the hands but it surely isn't wise to play for turn as we know all bowlers don't get it.  For players like you, you'd be better off playing the bowler off the pitch if you have no idea of what's happening from his release etc and play late.