A former medium pacer has converted to off-spin during the off-season – and is loving it.
Peter has been bowling ‘military left-arm medium pacers’ for a decade at Morningside Magpies Queensland Sub-District cricket side (mainly B and C grade), but boredom forced a change.
“I definitely struggled last year with my bowling,” Peter said. “My job is to put the ball in good areas, dry up the runs, and frustrate the batters enough to throw their wickets away. But it was getting boring, so I decided to bowl faster, but I lost my accuracy and got slaughtered!”
The final straw came in the last game of the 2024/25 season, with Peter bowling 10 overs for 0/15.
“I bowled well, but there was no joy in it. The batters either left me outside off or milked the straight balls for singles. I never looked like getting a wicket.”
After the innings finished, a frustrated Peter went to the nets to try something different.
“I shortened my run up, kept the same action, and started bowling offies. After a few wide balls, I started to hit my length and got a bit of turn and bounce. It was the most excited I’ve felt about my bowling in ages!”
Peter debuted his new faster off-breaks in the second innings, taking 2-24 off nine overs.
“It was a little more expensive than the mediums, and about 10-15 kms slower, but I got one guy caught slip with a bit of turn, and another guy at mid-wicket trying to slog a fuller ball that bounced a bit more.”
Feeling revitalised, Peter spent the next few weeks spinning a cricket ball at home, trying to strengthen his fingers and get used to the off-spin grip.
“If I get that nice WHIRR sound, then I know I’m giving it a rip. Every YouTube video I’ve watched about spin bowling says that you have to try and spin the ball, otherwise you’re just a slow bowler.”
And that work has continued in Peter’s winter cricket team, where he’s taken 12 wickets in four games and used the matting pitches to get a lot of bounce.
“My captain’s given me the new ball a few times and I love the feel of the seam in my fingers and trying to spin it as hard as I can. I can’t wait to bowl these on turf again next summer!”
The Gurgler presents stories of the Park Cricketer, where we explore the lower reaches of the great game of cricket from the suburban ovals and rural grounds across Australia.
