Drag is a term used in cricket that describes the motion displayed when a bowler manages to move his rear foot forward before releasing the ball. This kind of motion was commonly done in the past, right before the front foot rule was introduced, wherein bowlers had to release the ball while their rear foot was still standing on the bowling crease.
One of the most famous bowlers who had made this motion as a signature move is Gordon Rorke. He was an Australian cricket player who played in 1959 in four Tests and who was considered as the fastest bowler in Australia during this time. Many fast bowlers have been observed to do the drag motion.
Experts have shared that the drag motion is done by bowlers who are knee dominant. This movement allows them to align their hips during the point of release, which in turn will create a greater force when they rotate into action.
Interesting Facts about the Drag
There are several facts that cricket enthusiasts, players and bowlers should know when it comes to the drag motion. Some of these facts are helpful for bowlers who want to throw a fast ball using the motion, but do not want to be called for a no-ball.In current times, a bowler’s throw is considered no-balled if his back is not completely inside the return crease and if some of part of his front foot is not behind the popping crease when he bowls. This is the front foot rule, which was not written in the 1950s. Before this time, bowlers were known to be dragging their foot in order to throw a fast ball. In fact, bowlers who are throwing the fastest balls are known to have mastered the technique of dragging during this time.
Since this movement was banned during the later parts of the said decade, bowlers who want to take advantage of its effect came up with a perfect technique. This technique allows them to use the drag motion without breaking the front foot rule. This is done by perfectly timing the motion right into the delivery, just when the toe is still glued to the crease. Sometimes, bowlers cannot make the correct timing, but the dust raised by the dragging movement is enough to block the umpire’s view of what is really going on, making it hard for him to call a no-ball. These techniques were perfectly mastered by Gordon Rorke.