IT’S no secret AJ Tye has been one of the keys to the Perth Scorchers’ unparalleled Big Bash League success.

The paceman has taken 37 wickets in just three seasons for the WA side, with his ability to deceive batsmen with a wide range of deliveries pivotal.

Here are how six of his key deliveries are bowled - and what Tye is trying to achieve when they come out of the hand.

THE STOCK DELIVERY

Camera Icon The stock delivery. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: Some people like their fingers together down the seam. I prefer them to be just apart on the outside of the seam and then my thumb tends to be either on the seam at the bottom or just next to the seam.

What I’m trying to do: I’m aiming to hit off stump or bowl it to the batsman anywhere between the knee roll and the hips. In that zone on a good line and length, probably on off-stump. Not much outside off stump, to try to block the batsman up for room. You bring in bowled, lbw, caught behind or caught at slip. If they are trying to go and it’s not quite the length they could shank it.

THE CROSS-SEAMER

Camera Icon The cross-seamer. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: Hold it exactly the same as the normal stock delivery, but instead of the seam running up and down parallel with your fingers you turn the ball so your fingers are across the seam.

What I’m trying to do: You use this delivery to hopefully get a bit of natural variation out of the wicket. Some might skid on, where you bring in lbw or bowled, and others might hit the seam and jump off a length. That’s where you can look for a catch with one popping up off the glove or the shoulder of the bat. Quite a few out of the WACA pitch tend to pop a bit so it’s a worthy ball.

THE OFF-CUTTER

Camera Icon The off-cutter. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: Turn the seam almost towards fine leg and then hold your fingers just across it on a 45-degree angle. It’s a mix between a stock ball and a cross-seamer. You want to rip your fingers down the back of the ball.

What I’m trying to do: The position of the seam and the revs you’ve got on it cutting that seam means the ball tends to grip a bit and come into a right-handed batsman or nip away from a left-hander. For a right-hander you are looking for an lbw or bowled by nipping it back, or to produce an inside edge that might get a caught and bowled or a catch at mid-wicket. For a left-hander, it brings in caught behind.

THE KNUCKLE BALL

Camera Icon The knuckle ball. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: My first and second finger are basically scrunched up as tight as they can. My knuckles are bent and positioned on the rope either side of the seam. It’s pretty tough to hide but I’ve learnt how to disguise it.

What I’m trying to do: This slower ball is my favourite weapon. The ball just floats out and can wobble or even swing. Sometimes I try to bowl them really full. They come out at the batsman looking as if they’re going to be flat beam balls at them, then it just dips late. You want the batsman trying to play a shot and if they swing early you can bowl them or deceive with a lack of pace for a catch.

THE BACK OF HAND

Camera Icon The back of hand delivery. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: In your delivery stride instead of it coming out with your palm facing the batsman, you bring it out with the back of your hand facing the batsman and flick it out. Aim to use as close as possible to your normal delivery action.

What I’m trying to do: You can use either a stock ball or a cross-seam grip. I prefer the normal grip so it looks to the batsman as though the seam is coming out quite normal. You can look for a bowled if the batsman gets through his shot early. The overspin can also produce some extra bounce, leading to a catch.

THE SPLIT FINGER

Camera Icon The split finger. Credit: The Sunday Times

How it’s bowled: Split your fingers as far as you can down either side of the ball, still keeping your thumb at the bottom. It is important to try to deliver the ball with a normal action and arm speed.

What I’m trying to do: It’s another slower ball variation and a good one to have. Because there is nothing behind the ball it tends to float out or come out with less pace. You are looking to hit a good line and length and it can bring in any mode of dismissal if you can get the batsman playing early. Glenn McGrath used to have a good split finger and currently Ben Laughlin bowls a good one.