Over the Wicket vs Around the Wicket Explained
What 'over the wicket' and 'around the wicket' mean in cricket bowling, and why bowlers change their angle of delivery.
Over the Wicket
A right-arm bowler bowling 'over the wicket' delivers the ball so that their bowling arm is on the same side as the stumps — the ball comes from the right side of the wicket (from the batter's perspective) and angled in. This is the more common delivery angle for right-arm bowlers because it naturally presents the bowler's seam and swing in a favourable position for most standard deliveries.
Around the Wicket
A right-arm bowler bowling 'around the wicket' delivers the ball from the opposite side — their bowling arm is away from the stumps, and they run in from the left side of the wicket (from the batter's perspective). This changes the angle of delivery significantly, making the ball approach from a wider angle and creating different LBW lines, swing angles, and field setting options.
When Bowlers Switch Angles
- Against left-handed batters: many right-arm bowlers switch to around the wicket to target the left-hander's off stump or bowl into the rough outside the off stump created by foot marks.
- Exploiting rough: spinners bowl around the wicket to pitch into rough created by the bowlers' follow-through on the opposite side of the pitch.
- Change of angle: switching from over to around breaks the batter's rhythm and presents a different line.
- LBW threats: bowling around the wicket against a left-hander creates LBW angles that don't exist from over the wicket.
Frequently asked questions
Does switching to around the wicket require umpire permission?
No — a bowler can switch angles at any time between deliveries. They inform the umpire (who then informs the scorers and batter) by indicating their new delivery angle, but no permission is needed.
Can a left-arm bowler bowl around the wicket?
Yes — a left-arm bowler's 'around the wicket' delivers from the right side of the stumps (mirror image of a right-arm around the wicket). Left-arm bowlers bowling around the wicket to right-handed batters are particularly effective on fifth-day Test pitches.
Why do spinners prefer to bowl around the wicket?
Off-spinners bowling around the wicket to right-handed batters get a tighter LBW line because the ball turns into the stumps from that angle. Left-arm orthodox spinners bowl around the wicket to right-handers to pitch into the rough outside off stump created by right-arm over-the-wicket follow-throughs.