How Does a Cricket Ball Swing?

In the game of cricket, a ball thrown by a bowler sometimes curves slightly in the air due to the wind. This is called the swing of the ball. A ball that moves away from the batsman is called an out-swing, and a ball that curves in toward the batsman is called an in-swing.

The reason a ball swings is the seam in the middle. A cricket ball is made by joining two halves together and stitching them in the center. The surface at this seam is slightly raised. When the bowler throws the ball and it moves through the air, the air rubs against this seam, causing the ball to curve slightly. One side of the ball's seam is kept smooth, while the other side is rough.

Smart bowlers choose a specific way to hold the ball so they can swing it exactly how they want. Many bowlers rub the surface of the ball against their pants to keep one side smooth. While bowling, they know which side to keep smooth to get the desired amount of swing. This is how a ball swings naturally, and clever bowlers use it to their advantage.