Reverse swing

How they do it

The basic idea is to keep one side of the ball shiny and let the other side rough up. Players say that maintaining the ball is a complete team effort. Fielders with sweaty palms are placed in positions where the ball is less likely to go,and designated,dry-handed players such as skipper Alastair Cook are given the responsibility of shining the ball. Saliva which may or may not be spiked with sugary mints is a commonly used polishing agent. In addition,fast bowlers bowl cross-seam and fielders throw one-bounce from the outfield in order to hasten the wear and tear of the rough side.

Previous highs

England have had bowlers capable of reverse for close to two decades,with Darren Gough a leading exponent in the 90s and early 2000s. But it was the 2005 Ashes,during which Andrew Flintoff in pic and Simon Jones under the guidance of bowling coach Troy Cooley swung the old ball around corners,when they first used it as a concerted tactic. Since then,a number of England triumphs have revolved around reverse. Notable examples include Tim Bresnans spells at the MCG during the 2010-11 Ashes and James Andersons masterclass against India at the Eden Gardens last winter.

How they do it

The basic idea is to keep one side of the ball shiny and let the other side rough up. Players say that maintaining the ball is a complete team effort. Fielders with sweaty palms are placed in positions where the ball is less likely to go,and designated,dry-handed players such as skipper Alastair Cook are given the responsibility of shining the ball. Saliva which may or may not be spiked with sugary mints is a commonly used polishing agent. In addition,fast bowlers bowl cross-seam and fielders throw one-bounce from the outfield in order to hasten the wear and tear of the rough side.

Previous highs

England have had bowlers capable of reverse for close to two decades,with Darren Gough a leading exponent in the 90s and early 2000s. But it was the 2005 Ashes,during which Andrew Flintoff in pic and Simon Jones under the guidance of bowling coach Troy Cooley swung the old ball around corners,when they first used it as a concerted tactic. Since then,a number of England triumphs have revolved around reverse. Notable examples include Tim Bresnans spells at the MCG during the 2010-11 Ashes and James Andersons masterclass against India at the Eden Gardens last winter.

venue guide

Englands four leading fast bowlers Anderson,Stuart Broad,Bresnan and Steven Finn boast excellent records at Trent Bridge,with Broad possessing the worst numbers of the lot with 18 wickets including a hat-trick against India in four Tests at 21.33. These numbers,though,have generally come about as a result of conventional,rather than reverse,swing.

But right through this season,conditions at the venue have been drier than normal. This could help local boy Graeme Swann whose off breaks havent really flourished in Tests here before but also aid in scuffing up the ball quicker and helping it swing the other way.