Bowl faster: 3. Using the other arm

If you want to bowl faster, you need to use the arm without the ball. When you complete your action – assuming you’re a right-armer – your left arm should be pointing upwards towards the sky behind you in a straight line. Your left arm needs to work.

Think about it: your shoulders are connected. If your left arm and shoulder are pulling you through in the right way, your right arm and shoulder will come with them. Your bowling hand should end up under your armpit like a monkey, as your left arm is pointing behind you. Pulling with your left arm as you bowl gives you 180 degree shoulder rotation – it makes you drive through the ball as you’re releasing it.

Opinions differ on exactly how to work with your leading arm. Some people like to bend it at the elbow and drive it through and down into their ribs. Dennis Lillee compares the movement to pulling down a toilet chain. But I would say that method pulls your weight down into the ground, when you’re actually trying to drive your weight forward.
Instead, try keeping your left arm straight out in front of you and chopping down like a karate chop until it is behind you. This will pull your right shoulder forward through the action. You’ll absolutely fly through the crease – and give yourself plenty of extra speed. Watch Stuart Broad: this is the way he does it.

And remember: your head should be pointing towards the target – not somewhere out towards cover as many people seem to think.

Fast bowling guru Ian Pont has worked with top players including Dale Steyn and Darren Gough and is the author of The Fast Bowlers Bible. For details of Ian’s ongoing courses and one-to-one tuition, see his website: www.maverickscricket.com