Swinging an old leather ball is a complex art, with one side shiny and the other rough. Let's learn how to swing like Siraj.

In cricket, swing bowling is an art that can turn the tide of any match. Swing is easy with a new ball, but the real fun comes when the ball is old and still swings in the air. Many bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, James Anderson, or Bhuvneshwar Kumar are known for their swing. But did you know that even an old leather ball can produce an impressive swing? Just get some techniques right, and even Mohammed Siraj will look pale in comparison.

How is the ball designed to swing?

First, understand that the greatest strength of an old ball is that one side is shiny and the other is rough. This difference changes the ball's direction in the air. To make the ball swing, always keep one side clean and shiny. To do this, players constantly rub that side with sweat, saliva, or a cloth to keep it smooth. The other side should be left intact, meaning it should remain dirt, rough, or slightly scratched.

When do inswing and outswing occur?

When the ball is thrown, the shiny side cuts through the air and moves forward, while the rough side creates an obstacle. This causes the ball to deflect in one direction—this is called swing. If you place the shiny side of the ball toward the offside, it will inswing, and if you place it toward the leg side, it will outswing.

How does one swing with an old leather ball?

Reverse swing can also be achieved with an old leather ball, which is an even more difficult skill. For this, let the ball age for 35-40 overs. When one side is more worn and the other is completely smooth, the air pressure works in reverse, and the ball deviates from its normal direction. This is a trick demonstrated to the world by legends like Anderson and Wasim Akram.

But keep in mind that intentionally damaging any side of the ball, such as scratching, rubbing, or applying any other substance, is against the Laws of Cricket. Only cloth, sweat, or saliva should be used to maintain the shine.