Death overs are the closing overs of a limited-overs innings, when batters often look to score quickly. Bowlers respond with a plan built around accuracy and variation rather than relying on one delivery. The right option depends on the batter, pitch, boundary dimensions and field.
A yorker aims to land at the batter's feet or base of the stumps, limiting room for a full swing. A wide yorker targets space away from the hitting arc, but missing the line can offer a scoring opportunity. Slower balls change pace and can disrupt timing when disguised well.
Field placement should support the chosen plan. A captain may protect the boundary where a batter prefers to hit while keeping options for a mis-hit or a quick single. Bowlers also use changes of angle and length to avoid becoming predictable across consecutive deliveries.
For fans learning to read a scorecard, an expensive over does not always mean the plan was poor: execution, conditions and a batter's shot can all decide the outcome. Watch whether the bowler hits the intended area and whether the next ball responds to the previous delivery.
