Yorker Delivery in Cricket
Everything you need to know about the yorker — the full-pitched delivery aimed at the batsman's feet to defeat them at the crease.
The yorker is arguably the most devastating delivery in cricket when bowled correctly. Pitching at or around the batsman's feet — ideally on the popping crease — it forces the batsman to jam the bat down quickly and offers almost no room to play an attacking shot. It is the weapon of choice for fast bowlers in the death overs of limited-overs cricket.
What Is a Yorker?
A yorker is a full-pitched delivery that lands at the batsman's feet, typically in the block hole — the area between the bottom of the bat and the toes. When on target it is very hard to score from and can trap the batsman LBW or bowl them out if they misjudge the line.
Types of Yorker
| Type | Line | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Inswinging yorker | Late swing into the batsman | Traps LBW or bowls round legs |
| Outswinging yorker | Moves away from batsman | Edges into stumps or outside off |
| Slow yorker | Same length, reduced pace | Deceives timing of slog-sweep |
| Wide yorker | Outside off stump, full length | Restricts scoring room to offside |
When to Bowl a Yorker
- Death overs (overs 16–20 in T20, 45–50 in ODI) to restrict batsmen.
- Against tailenders who struggle with full-length balls.
- When a batsman is backing away or pre-meditating a sweep.
- After a sequence of bouncers to disrupt the batsman's footwork.
Bowling a Yorker — Key Mechanics
- Hold the ball with a seam-up or cross-seam grip.
- Drive through the crease and release the ball slightly later than for a length delivery.
- Keep the wrist strong to maintain pace and dip.
- Aim 1–2 feet beyond the batting crease for the ball to land at the batsman's feet.
Why Yorkers Are So Effective
The batsman has almost no time to create room and the bat must travel down through a narrow channel. Mis-timed attempts to slog or sweep often end in stumpings, bowled dismissals, or LBW decisions. On two-paced pitches even a near-miss can deceive.
Frequently asked questions
Is a yorker the same as a full toss?
No. A full toss passes the batsman without pitching. A yorker pitches at the batsman's feet. They feel similar in trajectory but the yorker is far harder to hit.
Who invented the yorker?
The term predates the modern era; it has been used since at least the 19th century. The name may derive from the city of York or from being a bowler who 'yorks' (beats) the batsman.