Conventional Swing in Cricket

The ball curving through the air using the contrast between the shiny and rough sides.

What is a Conventional Swing?

New cricket balls have a pronounced seam and two hemispheres — one side polished smooth by fielders, the other left to roughen naturally. Conventional swing happens when the shiny side is positioned to create unequal air pressure around the ball in flight. In-swing moves the ball toward the right-hander; out-swing moves it away. Swing bowling is most potent in overcast, humid conditions when the air is heavy.

In play

New ball, overcast morning. In-swinger curves late in the air, angling from off stump to leg stump. Batter plays outside the line, ball clips the inside edge, ricochets onto the stumps.

More bowling terms

• Maiden OverAn over in which no runs are scored off the bat — all dot balls.
• Hat-trickA bowler taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries — one of cricket's rarest feats.
• Economy RateThe average number of runs a bowler concedes per over — the core measure of bowling containment.
• Contrast SwingA form of swing that comes from surface roughness on the ball, not the seam's angle.
• MaidenAn over with no runs off the bat, wides, or no-balls. Also used for a player's first-ever milestone (maiden century, maiden call-up).
• DoosraAn off-spinner's delivery that turns the opposite way — away from a right-handed batter.