To bowl a leg cutter, a right-handed bowler employs a specific finger action upon release to impart spin on the ball, causing it to move away from the right-handed batsman after pitching.
Understanding the Technique
The leg cutter is a variation of the fast bowler's repertoire, designed to surprise the batsman by moving off the seam in the same direction as a traditional leg break spin delivery, but bowled at a quicker pace. The key lies in the way the fingers interact with the ball at the point of release.
Based on the technique for a right-handed bowler:
- Grip: While the grip is similar to a fast bowling grip, the focus is on the fingers' ability to roll down the side of the ball.
- Release Action: For a leg cutter, a right-handed bowler pulls his fingers down the left side of the ball (from his viewpoint), rolling the ball out of his hand over the little finger. This action is crucial for imparting the necessary rotation.
- Comparison to Leg Break: This release action is described as being similar to bowling a leg break, which also involves rolling the fingers down the side of the ball.
- Pace: The primary difference between a leg cutter and a leg break is the speed; the leg cutter is bowled at higher speed than a leg break.
Key Steps for Bowling a Leg Cutter
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Approach and Jump: Maintain your usual fast bowling run-up and jump, focusing on generating pace and momentum.
- Delivery Stride: Land in your delivery stride, bringing the bowling arm over.
- Finger Position: As you bring the ball forward for release, ensure your fingers are positioned to pull down the left side of the ball (for a right-hander).
- The Release: At the point of release, instead of pushing the ball straight through, actively pull your fingers down the left side, rolling the ball out of your hand over your little finger.
- Follow Through: Complete your follow-through as you would with any fast delivery.
Practice and Refinement
Mastering the leg cutter requires practice to get the feel of rolling the fingers correctly while maintaining pace.
- Start by practicing the finger action at a reduced pace to understand the motion.
- Gradually increase your speed, focusing on replicating the finger pull and roll.
- Observe how the ball moves off the pitch to gauge the effectiveness of the cut.
- Experiment with slight variations in finger pressure and angle.
By executing this specific finger-rolling action upon release, a right-handed bowler can effectively deliver a leg cutter that deviates away from the batsman after hitting the seam.
