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Learn bowling variations
As I write, Sri Lanka ‘A’ has secured a win under three days to level the series against the West Indies ‘A’ team. The local team collapsed on the final day of the first game when victory was staring them in the face. An indication that the bowlers got the better of the batters in the fourth innings.

An often mentioned statement is that bowlers win matches. There are three ways in which teams get dismissed. Firstly the pitch becomes difficult to bat on, even impossible. Then the willow wielder is at the mercy of the pitch. However, the bowlers have to be good enough to exploit.

Secondly, batsmen can play irresponsibly and present the bowlers with the platform to dominate them. Poor shot selection is foremostly the reason. A run out or two of top order players also contributes greatly. Such dismissals trigger off a collapse. It inspires bowlers to improve on their performance and drives them to dig out that extra ten percent.

Finally, bowlers on their superior ability can turn games in their favour. They can continuously pressurize the batsmen to an extent where they succumb. This is the state, the strength that a team requires.

As it happened on our own soil in March 2004 and is still fresh in memory, the performance of the Australians could be taken as an example. They made the most of their attack, which consisted of three pacemen and one spinner or two pacemen and two spinners.

The pitches did not help the quicker bowlers at all. They were made to work to the bone. They were forced to change their style of attack. This meant having to pitch the ball on a particular length, stick to one line as much as possible and use subtle variations.

The most subtle variation used on that occasion was the slower delivery, bowled as an off cutter. On the dry grassless pitches it turned out to be a very lethal weapon. There was a genuine commitment to excel in the implementation of this variation.Similarly, the two spinners worked on pushing the ball slightly quicker in the air.

This negated the quick foot movements of the nimble footed Sri Lankan batsmen. Also, it gave the opportunity for the ball to travel quicker and together with the available turn it made batting difficult. Yes, it is the ability to vary each delivery that helps the bowler to reach the very top and stay there. It makes the batsman think all the time. What will the next delivery be?

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