On the reverse swing of a cricket ball—modelling and measurements

Abstract

The phenomenon of reverse swing of the ball in a game of cricket is achieved by very few bowlers, and then only by those who seem able to bowl at speeds in excess of 85 mile/h. It also seems that reverse swing cannot be achieved at will. Rather, it is obtained perhaps by accident as much as by design, its inception being as much of a surprise to the bowler as to the batsman. This would suggest that the flow conditions pertaining to reverse swing are extremely marginal at best. This paper investigates the flow conditions required for reverse swing to occur and presents data describing the lift and drag on the ball. While some direct measurements are made on a cricket ball for comparison purposes, the flow over the ball is modelled through a 2.7:1 scale ratio sphere. This permitted relatively large lift and drag forces to be measured. The results define the range of Reynolds numbers and seam angles over which reverse swing will occur, as well as the corresponding forces on the cricket ball. Flow visualization is used to indicate the state of the boundary layer.