Cutter Deliveries in Cricket: Off-Cutter and Leg-Cutter Explained
Cutters are pace bowling variations where the ball is cut with the fingers at release to generate movement off the pitch, making them effective on dry and slow surfaces.
Cutters are deliveries where the pace bowler cuts their fingers across the ball at release, generating lateral movement off the pitch. Unlike swing, which moves in the air, cutters deviate after pitching — making them especially dangerous on slow or abrasive surfaces.
The Off-Cutter
For the off-cutter, grip the ball with the seam across the fingers. At release, the middle finger cuts from off to leg across the ball. This imparts clockwise spin (from the bowler's perspective), causing the ball to move from off to leg after pitching — moving into a right-handed batter. It also reduces pace noticeably.
The Leg-Cutter
The leg-cutter reverses the motion: the index finger cuts from leg to off at release, spinning the ball the other way. After pitching it moves away from a right-handed batter. It is harder to bowl than the off-cutter and requires wrist flexibility. Dale Steyn used the leg-cutter with devastating effect on hard, bouncy pitches.
Reading Cutters as a Batter
Cutters are hard to pick because the grip and action closely resemble a standard seam delivery. Look for a slightly wider finger placement on the ball or a fractionally lower arm position. Playing late and watching the ball off the pitch — rather than committing early — is the best defence against cutters.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cutter in cricket?
A cutter is a delivery where the bowler cuts their fingers across the ball at release, generating lateral movement off the pitch. An off-cutter moves from off to leg; a leg-cutter moves away from the batter. Both are effective on slow, abrasive surfaces.
Is a cutter the same as a slower ball?
Not exactly. A cutter produces movement off the pitch and reduces pace as a side effect. A slower ball is primarily about reducing pace, and the off-cutter grip is one method. The terms overlap but are not identical.