What is a reverse swing ball in cricket?

Answer 1

Reverse swing in an exact opposite of conventional cricket ball swing. It normally occurs when the ball gets a little old. Depending on weather conditions, pitch nature and environment around, the ball normally starts getting old after 20 to 25 overs. In Australia and South Africa, the ball normally starts reverse swinging around 40 to 45 overs.

While the ball starts getting old, players on the ground (especially bowlers) try desperately to keep the shine on one side of the ball while the other side of the ball keeps getting rougher. Once there is a significant difference of shine and roughness on both sides of the ball, the ball starts swinging towards the shiny side. This is called reverse swing, however, it is not natural and the bowlers have to really work hard to deliver reverse swing.

When the ball becomes very old - around 40 or more overs old - it begins to swing towards the shine. This is known as reverse swing- which means a natural outswinger will become an inswinger and conversely, an inswinger into an outswinger.