CRICKET'S DARK ART OF SWING BOWLING, EXPLAINED!

A piece by Catherine Tucker

Cricket is supposed to be the epitome of sporting integrity. But in recent days, the actions of the Australian cricket team have brought the “dark arts” of the game to the forefront of many people’s minds and their actions have drawn condemnation from around the world.

To understand why the players tried to tamper with the ball – and how they did it – it’s worth exploring the technique of what is called “swing bowling”. Swing bowling essentially involves being able to change the direction of the ball in mid-air. There are two types of swing to explore here: “conventional” and “reverse” swing.

To begin with, a cricket ball’s design means that it can be optimised by the bowler to make it swing. A cricket ball has a core of cork and is covered by a leather casing with a slightly raised seam sewn in. The equator of the cricket ball is stitched with string to form the seam. On either side of the seam, the surface of the ball will degrade with use. The fielding side will usually allow one side to roughen up, while trying to keep the other side shiny.

As NASA scientist and cricket enthusiast Ravindra Mehta explained in a detailed paper in 2000, for a cricket ball to “swing” – or move sideways through the air as it moves forward towards the batsman – there needs to be a different speed of airflow on either side of the ball to help produce a lateral force on one side. This can be done by using the seam or surface of the ball. Once the cricket ball is bowled a thin layer of air forms around its surface – this is the “boundary layer”. This boundary layer does not stay attached to the surface all the way around and so it has to separate at a certain point on the ball. This separation point will affect how the ball moves further through the air. A late separation will lead to lower pressure on that side and a net lateral force will be generated if there is a pressure difference between the two sides, making the ball move sideways.

The boundary layer can have two states: one of these is a relatively stable “laminar” state, or a more variable and disordered “turbulent” state. Going from a laminar to turbulent state will occur at a critical speed – and this is determined by the roughness of the cricket ball surface. More roughness means that the critical speed can be lower.

Conventional swing

The typical way to create swing is to use the seam and the asymmetry of the ball. Bowlers will angle the seam away from the intended direction of travel so the shiny side of the ball faces the batsman. The ball will swing towards the direction that the seam is pointed – if the seam is angled toward the slip fielders it will swing away the batsman (outswinger) and if the seam is angled towards the leg side it will swing into the batsman (inswinger).

When the ball is bowled with the seam at an angle, the boundary layer on top of the ball is affected by the seam and goes into a turbulent state earlier than the bottom – this leads to later separation from the ball which creates a pressure difference and thereby a lateral force allowing the ball to swing in the direction of the seam. Using this type of approach of angling the seam typically works best (creates the most lateral force) around 70 mph – which is about slow to medium pace in international cricket.

How conventional swing bowling works. Ravindra Mehta

To maximise this effect, teams polish the ball between deliveries and this is where we encounter the first area of potential ball tampering. Having a polished leading side (towards the batsman) is important so that side has a laminar separation once in flight – but there have been accusations in the past of teams using products such as Vaseline or mints to aid this polishing. Indeed, the current South African caption, Faf Du Plessis, was found guilty of ball tampering after appearing to suck a mint before applying his saliva to aid shining the ball during a test match against Australia in 2016. Typically, as a ball becomes older it becomes harder to produce this swing and that is where we encounter the next type of swing – reverse swing.

Reverse swing

If a player can bowl above 85mph – or if the ball has aged – this makes it possible for the bowler to “reverse swing” the ball. In simple terms this is exactly what happens – a delivery that is expected to swing away from the batter (an outswinger), instead swings in towards them (an inswinger) – and vice versa. This happens when the seam is angled for conventional swing but this time the rough side faces the batsman. If the ball is bowled fast enough (above 85 mph), the laminar layer goes into a turbulent state before it reaches the seam. The seam actually has a negative effect here and affects the turbulent layer so it separates earlier compared with the bottom surface.

How reverse swing works. Ravindra Mehta

Like in conventional swing, there is a lateral force created because of the pressure difference but this time the lateral force acts in the opposite (reversed) direction. As mentioned, there is a critical speed to help generate reverse swing but in cases where this speed can’t be reached, the roughness of the ball can help reduce this critical speed needed to create this reverse swing.

As the ball gets older (which means the surface is rougher) it becomes easier to deliver balls with reverse swing. The fact that more roughness makes it easier to create reverse swing introduces the temptation for players to increase this roughness illegally and thereby make it easier to generate reverse swing at lower speeds.

The Australian case

There are many instances of alleged and proven ball tampering in cricket down through the years from stamping on the ball, to picking at the seam of the ball to even biting the ball. The Australians have admitted that during the recent test against South Africa they used sticky tape in their pocket covered with debris collected from the pitch to make a sort of improvised sandpaper to further roughen up the ball. This means that they could potentially generate reverse swing at lower speeds.

What makes this case so controversial is how obvious and blatant it was, along with the admission apparently being premeditated in the lunch break. Obviously, tampering with the ball can unfairly advantage the bowling team and goes completely against the spirit of the game.

Catherine Tucker

Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics, Leeds Beckett University

Catherine Tucker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

DR KENNY ANTHONY EXPRESSES "THANKS AND PRAISES AGAIN!"

Yesterday, was my birthday; I turned 72 years old.

 I have come to realize and accept that every succeeding birthday is more special and more precious than the previous one. Its not just me who feel that way. 

Dr Kenny Anthony

Its interesting to observe how  friends and loved ones  handle birthdays of those, who,  like me,  are in the final chapters of their lives.  Whether they realize it or not, they too add urgency to the occasion. They too understand that time is precious, even if they do not wish to admit it  or say so. We all celebrate with a knowing smile.

Inevitably, every birthday invites reflection. Mine was no different. 

We sometimes share our trials and tribulations, hurts and pains but hardly ever the many beautiful things or good things that have occurred or continue to occur in our lives. Despite my own pains, my regrets, my sorrows, there are so many wonderful things for which I give thanks and praise. Thanks to you, I have had an extraordinary and blessed life. 

And good things continue to happen!

Yesterday, and even the day before, many good things happened. I received some kind, generous,  soothing and even poetic birthday greetings, all in recognition and celebration of  my birthday. I don't know if I deserved all of it. What I can tell you is that your greetings, whether public or private,  made the occasion truly memorable,  special and beautiful. I could not ask for more.

Thank you one and all!!!!!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100000425153803/posts/pfbid06zG1rSw7HxRBxBuWzDxbQaU7WFx42K1cjzgLzuDFGsimpRqwPnB7ACmgn7fSTCMKl/?mibextid=Nif5oz

What Should Emancipation Day Mean to the St Lucian Working Class?

A people without the knowledge of

their past history,origin and culture is

 like a tree without roots. ~ Marcus Garvey

The history of the New World since Columbus re-discovered it is one of conquest, pillage, exploitation and forced migration of a people. For more than three centuries millions of people were forcibly transported from their homes in Africa, across the perilous Atlantic Ocean to the New World, where they were forced to labour on sugar plantations for the rest of their lives.

This enslavement of a people continued until events in Europe changed the fortunes of the West Indian and North American colonies. Humanitarians started questioning the validity of slavery, there was competition from beet sugar producers in Europe, and the advent of the Industrial Revolution spawned the rise of a new group of influential men in the British Parliament who believed that slavery was no longer economically viable.

In 1833 Thomas Buxton presented The Emancipation Bill in Parliament. The Act was passed and came into effect on 1 August 1834. On that day, thousands of slaves in the British West Indies became free men and women. On 1 August 1838, enslaved Africans in the British Empire won their emancipation from slavery. Emancipation Day is now commemorated throughout the Anglophone Caribbean as a public holiday or national observance. 

One hundred and sixty four years later, on 1 August 1998 the government of St Lucia declared Emancipation Day a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

Emancipation was not a gift from Britain or White abolitionists. It came from the accumulated covert and overt acts of resistance by enslaved Africans.

Emancipation Day sends a clear message to the St Lucian labouring classes that capitalism exploited their ancestors’ labour under chattel slavery and is doing the same to theirs under wage slavery.

Emancipation Day is a continued reminder of the need for British imperialism to pay reparations for the enslavement of Africans and colonial exploitation. 

Emancipation Day is a mocking memo to the African labouring classes that they live in societies in which they do not exercise political power over economic and social policies that impact their lives.

Emancipation Day is an annual announcement to the labouring classes that anti-African racism is still a source of oppression and exploitation in their their lives.

Emancipation Day is a painful reminder that working-class African women are still being clobbered by the (un)holy trinity of patriarchy, capitalism and racism. Slavery was a brutal regime of exploitation for enslaved African women.

Emancipation Day is communicating to the masses that they must organize to give birth to the Second Emancipation. This phase of emancipation calls for the elimination of racism, patriarchy, capitalism and other systems of oppression that affect the people’s lives. It also demands the self-organization of the masses.

While it is great for the people to commemorate Emancipation Day, this day must also be used to reflect, critique, assess, deliberate and plan for the next year of struggle.

August 1, 1838 or Emancipation Day tells us that humanity’s quest for freedom cannot be smothered by oppression.

(First piblished in 2018)

THE ECONONIC AND FINANCIAL FALL-OUT OF COVID-19

Be Warned!     By Jimmy James Haynes:

A brilliant piece taken from his Facebook page:

The economic and financial fallout of Covid-19 has been catastrophic for national and household finances. Recently, Covid-19 cases have begun to increase rapidly as we continue to relax our vigilance. While most of us suffer from Pandemic Fatigue, we've got to be disciplined and focus on the medium to long-term future of our economy. There will be serious social and economic repercussions if we do not behave responsibly. This call for behavioral change goes to our leaders as well as every citizen of this country. This is not the time to relax.

Hyperinflation and the rising cost of food are already exacting a heavy toll on household finances. This week, I saw a large can of Exeter corned beef on a shelf for EC$18.00! I had no choice but to refuse it.

We are going through what is typically referred to as a Double Whammy. Covid-19 and its attendant financial woes plus, lifestyle crippling inflation. This isn't the time for you to spend lavishly on frivolous cravings such as fetes, luxuries, Carnival, etc. Very soon, your salary, that is, if you've got one, will be worth only 80% of what it was worth a couple of months ago.

Salaries and wages are stagnant as the cost of living spirals out of reach of the majority of the population. We cannot depend on a government that has already thrown in the towel, to help cushion the debilitating impact of the rising cost of living. Be smart.

You are on your own. Review your spending habits. Reconfigure your household budget. Get rid of the fluff. Start a backyard garden. Grow some vegetables and green seasonings. Use your vehicle sparingly. Walk more often. Eats less meat. Adopt a frugal approach to spending. Focus, as we have not gotten to the bottom of this crisis yet.

You are warned!

 

THE TRUTH MATTERS - ALWAYS KEEP IT REAL!!

I’ve been analysing the different contributions by parliamentarians  during the recently concluded budget debate, and  it occurred to me that a lot of the information I was exposed to is potentially fake.

If not completely fake, it was presented in a way that is biased towards a particular belief or viewpoint in order to appeal to like-minded people to rally viewers, listeners and followers.

It seems to me that there’s an agenda behind this type of information sharing. And it’s not an agenda rooted in truth or honesty, which frankly, is a danger to the peace and unity of our shared island.

I always have to remind myself to question the context when I hear such rhetoric that seems one-sided or untrue or improbable. What else is going on? What happened before or after? What are the credentials of the presenter, and why should I believe him or her?

What concerns me is whether other people are actually questioning the things they see and hear. And how many of us run the risk of just swallowing the information as fact without healthy interrogation to make sure the full story is told?

We are living in a time of great division and intolerance. Power seems more than ever to be generated by people and “winning” by ensuring that others are “losing”. But why can’t everybody win? Life doesn’t have to be a zero sum game, does it?

In today’s tech-driven world we have unprecedented access to issues, images, clips, factoids, opinions, facts, news (real or fake). We can see a picture that somebody wants us to see, negative or positive, but how do we know if we are getting the whole picture?

What is behind the curtain? We can’t tell what is really happening by looking at one photo or viewing a video clip. We are all susceptible and vulnerable to being swayed by dishonest, misleading, or incomplete snippets.

I always want to ask myself questions about the motives of others, but I never want to become jaded, distrustful, angry, frustrated, fearful, or violent.

Pumped up by all the hype, people can start to believe their neighbour is their enemy simply because they disagree on who has the best team or what politician they voted for.

It’s all pretty confusing and sometimes overwhelming, when we are trying to cope with all the differing points of view, without the confidence that all the facts are on the table.

So, what do we do? All I know is what works for me. I do my best not to get sucked in and be influenced by all the noise and fanfare and the hype. I tell myself to stay true to the values I believe in, and more importantly, to the universal values of honesty, trust, authenticity, fairness, reasonableness, acceptance and compassion.

I do my utmost best, not always successfully, not to allow myself to get steered away from positive emotions.

I choose to be generous, joyful, thankful, curious, peaceful and loving.

This is just how I try to “Keep it Real”. I’d love to hear about yours.

IVANS CLARKE – A CHOISEUL CRICKET ICON PASSES

From a Rivere Doree player, to one of the best cricketers in Choiseul, Ivans Clarke has always been the man to whom Choiseuil has looked upon for a good start.

Ivans Clarke

Ivans Clarke aka Lakot was a cricket perfectionist; I can't actually remember when we first met but I am of the strong opinion it must have been during a cricket match where I must have been very  impressed with his batting

Our friendship grew, as we often discussed cricket over a few drinks at the 99 Pepperpot (where Matthias is today) where the boys talked cricket the local authorities hosted at the time -  the Inter Club Cricket tournament  or an upcoming match. 

During the 70s and 80s, Ivans Clarke  was one of the best orthodox opening batsmen I have seen in Choiseul. You can take this to the bank. His repertoire of stroke-play though limited but those he played distinguished him above the rest – remember his mastery of the late cut? That is how he got the name” Laykot” which was the way his fans thought of defining him because of this shot to backward point off the new ball.- That stroke was a site to behold as the ball sped away.

Along with being a good batsman, he is a gentleman too. If cricket is a gentleman’s game, then Ivans Clarke is the perfect gentleman that the game has ever produced. You tell him that he had played well and he will immediately tell you that somebody has played well too. He was that humble and selfless. 

     A TRIBUTE TO IVANS

Ivans, Clifton, Gamble and Dedan set the stage for a renewed and powerful Choiseul Team during the 70’s and 80’s. They took cricket to another level:

1. Batting/bowling were revisited by the introduction of a concrete wicket
2. Conditions of play were greatly improved – the wicket
3. A sense of purpose was inculcated into the players
4. The upcoming youngsters saw role models to pattern their game from

Ivans played a pivotal role in keeping the boys together and encouraging the killer instinct in the Choiseul team.  His close friendship with Rudy John was a motivating factor in that he and Rudy always argued about each other’s team being the best. So Ivans was a mentor to the team.

Choiseul Champions in the 70s and 80s - Ivans 4th R backrow

Gaspard Blaize, a Retired Hospitality Director describes Ivans as "One of the best inspirational and loyal friend I have ever encountered. Ivans was instrumental in my overall development and did so with a passion and genuine determination.  Good friends are hard find and surely Ivans has left this void that is irreplaceable.“

 In the  early 70s Ivans initially played for the Rivere Doree Team during the well-organized Choiseul local cricket competition. Earlier, he was blessed to have found his lovely wife  - Ula.  He was now living in La Fargue. Whatever transpired between him and Dedan, Ivans left the Rivere Doree team and joined the La Fargue team and in his first encounter against his past team Ivans wept like a baby after the La Fargue team defeated his home team.

SAMSON

SYLVESTER

                                                           Champions who have passed

        Mc Arthur remembers him for the late cut and an avid country and western dancer.   

                                              Rest in peace Ivans, Until!!

 

OKEDA - A CHOISEUL GEM GONE TOO SOON!

Okeda Stephen

Though news of Okeda's illness was not know by many, Bradly Felix's call for prayer a few days ago over his Facebook page surely took everyone by surprise. The prayer response was outpouring.

Okeda went to meet her maker today. Bradly posted, "They say it takes a village to raise a child, when a village has done its duty and it loses that child the entire village mourns. Today Choiseul mourns the lost of a real daughter, a down to earth, loved by many, young lady."

I first met her at Nicholas' Gas Station many years ago. She  immediately made a huge impression on me. Every time she came over to the gas station he would treat the Campion Crew boys to a great time and took part in our chat. Okeda was  a down-to-earth person who treated everyone each to his/her own. 

Delicia Mitchel posted: "Okeda Stephen, it is so sad to say good bye to a diamond gem, a good soul. We all are heartbroken, gone to soon, fly with the angels and your maker. You will never be forgotten, your memory live[s] on."

Choiseul on the Move  conveys deepest heartfelt condolences to Okeda's family and  friends. Choiseul mourns her loss.

                                                            Rest In Perfect Peace ”