Use of both arms

Not only the bowling arm but the other arm is also very important while delivering the ball. The other arm assists in generating extra pace.

Head Still

Head position is equally important to keep your body balanced, as well as to bowl on a line consistently.

Position before delivery

Sami is about to release the ball

Side on view of Sami's delivery stride

Eye on the spot

A bowler should know where he wants to pitch the ball.

Run up

Run up is the key for any fast bowler. Smooth and hassle-free run up produces effective results.

In Swing

It does not matter how quick you are, because quick you come quicker you go. Hence only movement off the wicket or in the air can transform you into a lethal fast bowler.

Out Swing

This very delivery keeps the slip fielders interested, however needs perfection.

In bowling, a combination of natural ability, good technique and practice is the recipe for good bowling, whether it is fast, slow or spin.

Here are some tips that will help your bowling and when implemented correctly your bowling speed:

The basic grip to hold the ball is to keep the seam vertical and to hold the ball with your index finger and middle finger either side of the seam with the side of your thumb resting on the seam underneath the ball.

In your approach/run in, try to stay:

- Smooth,

- Balanced,

- Economical,

- Rhythmical,

- Consistent and stay relaxed and try not to tense up.

During your approach and action, your head position is very important. Make sure that as you approach the wicket you are running at a steady, consistent speed, and increase strides. Aim to keep your head as steady and level as possible, looking towards your target.

Pull your front arm down and through the target area, making sure you complete the delivery with a full follow through.

Try to keep everything in the same direction, towards your target, keep your hips and shoulders parallel/in-line, and follow through the delivery in the direction where you intend the ball to go.

Also as a bowler it is very important to stay in great shape, as you'll enjoy the game more and perform better in the latter stages if you have good stamina. So incorporating some light weight sessions in to your training is important.

Also aim to try and run 3 times a week to keep your cardiovascular system in top condition and to improve your stamina. South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, is well know for running 10Km every morning, even on match days!

Its Simple:
Just make sure two fingers (index and middle) remain along the seam till the end. The fingers should follow the seam till the last minute.

The world's second highest Test wicket taker, Shane Warne, is the man responsible for the leg spin revival.

He has proved so many times how effective good leg spin bowling can be, casting doubt and confusion in a batsman's mind.

So fancy bowling like him?

The third finger does most of the work

Well, it basically involves turning a ball off the pitch from the leg side of a right-handed batsman, to the off side.

It's often described as wrist spin because, unlike off spinners, the revolutions of the ball are generated by the wrist rather than the fingers.

Step one

The top joints of the index and middle fingers are across the seam, with the ball resting between a bent third finger and the thumb.

Step two

As you release the ball, straighten the fingers and much of the work on the ball will be done by the third finger, turning the ball anti-clockwise.

A googly, or a "wrong'un", is a delivery which looks like a normal leg spinner but actually turns towards the batsmen, like an off break, rather than away from the bat.

Unlike a normal leg break, a googly is delivered out of the back of the hand, with your wrist 180 degrees to the ground.

It's a very difficult skill to learn, so you'll need plenty of practice in your back garden or in the nets.

Step one

Hold the ball as if you're about to bowl a normal leg break.

The top joints of the index and middle fingers should be across the seam, with the ball resting between a bent third finger and the thumb.

Step two

At the point of release, the palm of your hand should be open upwards, towards the sky, with the back of your hand facing the batsman.

Your wrist should be 180 degrees to the ground, while the seam of the ball should point towards fine leg.

Again, it should be your third finger which does most of the work, turning the ball anti-clockwise on release.

You'll probably find it goes horribly wrong the first few times you give the googly a try, but don't give up.

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. Use a tennis ball to help improve the flexibility of your wrist.