Below is an introduction to the purpose of bowling (bowling techniques will follow in the coming months)

A bowler delivers the ball toward the batsmen, using what is known as a bowling action: his arm must not straighten at the elbow during the delivery. If he straightens his arm in any manner, it is an illegal throw and the delivery is called a no-ball. Usually the bowler pitches the ball so that it bounces before reaching the batsman. When bowling, bowlers must release the ball with their entire back foot inside the area bounded by the creases, and so too some part of the front foot inside this area, to prevent it from being called a no-ball. The ball must also be delivered so it is within the batsman's reach, otherwise it is termed a wide.

The bowler's primary goal is to take wickets; that is, to get a batsman out or dismissed. If a bowler can dismiss the more accomplished batsmen on the opposing team he reduces the opportunity for them to score, as it exposes the less skilful batsmen. Their next task is to limit the numbers of runs scored per over they bowl. This is known as the Economy rate. If a bowler gets a batsman out, he is credited for this achievement. There are two main kinds of bowlers : pace bowlers and spin bowlers.

Dismissal of a batsman

Many modes of dismissal require the wicket to be "put down". The wicket is put down if a bail is dislodged from the top of the stumps or a stump is struck out of the ground either with the ball, or by a fielder with the ball in his hand. Of the following ten modes of dismissal, the first six are common, while the last four are technicalities which rarely occur. Briefly, the ten modes are:

• Caught – When a fielder catches the ball after the batsman strikes it, before the ball bounces.
• Bowled – When a delivered ball hits the stumps at the batters end, and dislodges one or both of the bails.
• Leg before wicket (LBW) – When a delivered ball misses the bat and strikes the leg of the batsman, and the umpire judges that the trajectory would have struck the stumps; certain other criteria may also have to be fulfilled.
• Run out – When a fielder, bowler or wicket-keeper removes one or both of the bails with the ball by hitting the stumps whilst a batsman is still running between the two ends. Not officially credited to any player, though the identities of the fielder or fielders involved may be noted in brackets on the scoreboard.
• Stumped – When the batsman leaves his crease in playing a delivery, voluntarily or involuntarily, but the ball goes to the wicket-keeper who uses it to remove one or both of the bails through hitting the bail(s) or the wicket(s) before the batsman has remade his ground.
• Hit wicket – When the batsman accidently knocks the stumps with either their body or their bat, causing one or both of the bails to be dislodged; either in playing a shot or in taking off for the first run.
• Handled the ball – When the batsman deliberately handles the ball.
• Hit the ball twice – When the batsman hits the ball twice, except in order to use it as a barrier from rolling and striking his stumps.
• Obstructing the field – When a batsman deliberately hinders a fielder from attempting to field the ball.
• Timed out – When a new batsman takes over three minutes to appear on the field to replace a dismissed batsman. (If the delay is even more protracted, the umpires may cause the match to be forfeited.) The bowler is not credited for taking the dismissal.

Additionally, a batsman may leave the field undismissed. For instance, if he is ill or injured, this is known as retired hurt or retired ill. The batsman is not out; he may return to bat later in the same innings if sufficiently recovered. Also, an unimpaired batsman may retire, but it is usual to ask permission of the opposing captain if the batsman wishes to reserve his right to return and continue his innings. In practice, very few batsmen retire.

An individual cannot be out — caught, bowled, 'leg before wicket', stumped, or 'hit wicket' off a no ball. He cannot be out – 'bowled', 'leg before wicket', or 'hit the ball twice' off a wide