A cricket bowler’s task is to restrict the batting side’s scoring rate and to take their wickets. The bowler’s aptitude is determined based on the types of balls they deliver at varying lines and lengths with variations in spin and seam deliveries.
A stock ball is the delivery that a bowler most commonly opts to bowl. This is a type of delivery that does not yield any wickets, but also does not allow the batter to score runs. The stock ball is one which the bowler can bowl consistently and accurately at a pace, line, and length of their choice.
A bowler usually bowls three or four stock balls in an over. The remaining overs are other variations that they opt to depending on their type of bowling. For example, a pace bowler who consistently bowl at 140-150 km/hr can have a stock ball of a good length that is slightly outside the line of the off stumps. This bowler can bowl such a delivery four times in an over, and the remaining two balls can be variations like a yorker or a slower delivery.
For a bowler, having a stock ball means they can keep the batter guessing as to when they might deliver a variation. Keeping the batter guessing is one of the many ways in which they can restrict the flow of runs. Most often than not, bowlers who have an effective stock ball, also have a better economy rate.
A stock ball can be a disadvantage if it is used more frequently with minimal or no variations. This might result in the batter getting acquainted with the stock delivery of the bowler. After some overs, the batter can read the stock ball more easily, and can adjust their batting position to counter it for more runs. Thus, employing a stock ball is one of the many decisions that a bowler takes on the field.
