Contrary to what self-proclaimed cricket fanatics may have you believe, the swing in swing bowling is not enhanced by humidity over the pitch, according to thorough experimentation by scientists in England and New Zealand.
Only a few tactful fast bowlers are able to give the ball a trajectory that suddenly curves midair, confusing the batsman. But these artists are not always consistent with the swing effect as it is prominent in some matches and ambiguous in others. This mystery around the “game’s dark art”, as one report puts it, has created a lot a conjecture around it, with commentators discussing the chances of swing balls along with how heavy the air is with water.
Puzzled scientists decided to put this “swing theory” to the test in a climate controlled chamber where laser scanners would track balls repeatedly in varying degrees of humidity.
In a paper published recently in Procedia Engineering, scientists say: “This study shows there is no direct or indirect manner in which humidity can significantly affect the ability of the bowler to make the ball swing.”
The swing is in fact a result of asymmetric air flow on sides of the ball — turbulent air flow on one side compared to a smoother flow on the side makes it happen. This is why aged balls with wear and tear on just one side suit swing bowlers like Wasim Akram, a patron of this tactic.
The study confirms the altitude and age of the ball really do have enhancing effect on the swing but humidity has nothing to do with it.