Death Bowling in Cricket

The specialised art of bowling in the final overs of a T20 or ODI to restrict boundaries.

What is a Death Bowling?

The final 4-6 overs of a limited-overs innings when the batting team is trying to maximise runs and the bowling team is trying to take wickets. Requires a specific skill set: yorkers, slower balls, wide yorkers, bouncers, and the mental toughness to bowl to a set batter in a full stadium. The best death bowlers — Bumrah, Malinga, McGrath — can win matches alone. Poor death bowling can lose matches that were won.

In play

Over 19. 24 needed. Death bowler fires a perfect yorker, then a slower ball bouncer, then another yorker. 5 runs off the over including a wide. Match won.

More bowling terms

• KnuckleballA pace bowler's slower delivery, gripped with the knuckles instead of fingertips.
• BeamerAn illegal full toss that reaches the batter at head height — highly dangerous.
• Arm BallAn off-spinner's delivery that goes straight on with the arm instead of turning.
• ChinamanLeft-arm wrist spin — the left-handed equivalent of leg spin.
• Corridor of UncertaintyThe ideal bowling line — just outside off stump where the batter is unsure whether to play or leave.
• Stock BallA bowler's standard, go-to delivery — their default weapon.