over-arm bowling

In cricket, overarm bowling involves propelling the ball with an arm movement that is raised above the shoulder, a technique officially permitted in 1864. This contrasts with earlier underhand or round-arm styles. For a delivery to be fair, the bowler must not bend their elbow. The primary goal of bowling is to dismiss the batsman, though preventing runs is also important, especially in limited-overs formats.12

A good bowler needs command of both the ball's length (where it bounces) and direction. Bowlers use various techniques to deceive batsmen, including finger spin, altering pace, and causing the ball to swerve in the air (inswinger or outswinger). Reverse swing, where the ball curves unexpectedly, is another advanced tactic. The speed of the ball, combined with its bounce and spin off the pitch, makes it challenging for batsmen to predict its trajectory.21