Commentators confuse viewers by using ‘buzz’ words and Reverse Swing is the worst example. Recently, this phrase has become a "totem pole" of commentating ritual and no commentator can do without using these macho terms: reversing or reverse swing.

Even the older, wiser ones are forced to get into ‘reverse’. That doyen of commentators: Richie Benaud; our ‘National Treasure’ Ranjit Fernando and even that keen student of the game - Ian Bishop - have succumbed.

The viewer is confused what reverse swing means. Also by the conflicting meanings, some commentators have for same the term. Does it refer to the ball swinging in the air? Or seaming off the pitch? Or the ball swerving because of its rotation in the air?

Not only is the viewer confused during play, but when the commentators have nothing to say (which is often) they go into chat mode: "How did you reverse it?

Waqar: "Its hard to say how – the pitch has to do with it, humidity helps; the ball has to rough up." "What speed is best?" "Speed over 140 ks is better. The action helps as with Malinga and Fidel Edwards – speed and action really gets it going."

"Gul’s unplayable reverse swing demolished New Zealand." In the current Pakistan Tests one commentator said; "it was reversing 66% at Galle and here at P.Sara too." Another said; "Kulasekera’s reverse swing usually deceives the Pakistani batsmen but hasn’t appeared today."

In England the term is used for almost any delivery that deviates including this recent gem: "Monty can get reverse if he turns the ball around." Monty Pannesar is a spinner! There are countless examples of this "terminological abuse."

So what exactly do these learned commentators mean when they say "reverse swing" with all the authority of a doctor (or perhaps – a witch doctor)?

A ball swings in the air because of two factors: (A) Differences in the SURFACE CONDITION of each side of the ball (Surface Swing). When the ball’s seam is vertical, if one side is smoother or less rough than the other, then the airflow on that side is "laminar" as it slides along on that surface exerting pressure.

If the other side is less smooth, rougher or damaged, the airflow is separated early from the surface and becomes "turbulent" - the greater the non-smoothness, the greater the turbulence. This creates less air pressure on that side. This differential air pressure causes the ball to swing towards the low pressure side.

This is the basis of the commentators’ mantra: "The ball swings towards the rough side." However, the commentators have forgotten (or didn’t know) the second reason for swing:

If the seam is angled to one side then it will produce turbulence on that side of the ball. The more prominent the seam, the greater the swing in the air produced by the seam. Wind tunnel testing has shown that this effect is stronger than factor A (Surface swing). The ball will swing towards the seam position side and not the rough side. And this will be so with both the new and old ball.

Every schoolchild knows: "point the seam to slips or fine leg for out swing or in swing." This motto was based on scientific reasons in the "good old days" of textbook coaching – not on "voodoo science" of modern times.

This explains the great swing bowling of Trueman, Lindwall, Lillee, Ian Bishop and Hoggarth, all of whom were exceptional exponents of swing as distinct from seam bowling.

Wind tunnel testing by Dr Rabindra Mehta, a NASA scientist and former cricketer has shown that with a brand new ball or with a roughed up old ball, Factor A -surface swing is replaced by Factor B – SEAM swing. Thus the ball will swing in the air towards the seam angle side and not to the rough side.

This is what the commentators with their simplistic views, have mistaken for "reverse swing" when they see the ball swing away from the rough side. Dr Mehta said ". It is only true reverse swing if the ball swings in a direction that is opposed to that of the seam."

The English National Academy at Loughborough had invited Dr Mehta to their Reverse Swing workshop. He left early because he found that the entire England coaching staff had no idea what reverse swing was and they were planning to teach it!.

We hear the new commentators: Russell Arnold and Jayasuriya jumping on the reverse wagon: "Maharoof is getting it to reverse now". "Malinga is starting to reverse the ball and Mahela has set the field for reverse."

In every case the replays have shown that the ball swung with the seam and not the rough side. In fact what they called reverse swing was conventional swing but caused by Factor(B) –the seam position.

Lately, the commentators have changed their tack: They now describe the ball reversing off the pitch! At Lords’ in the World T20 in England: "The pitch is too grassy for reverse." Wazim Akram: "Aamer can reverse it both in the air and off the pitch."

The astute Mike Holding (smelling the proverbial rat) said recently "I only call it reverse if it nips back in". For heaven’s sake- how can a ball swing off the pitch?

Commentators can stop confusing viewers when using the term: reverse swing. They need only to hark back to their early days and remember the ball will swing in the air not only by the rough side but by the seam as well.

Will they reverse this swing confusion back to a true appreciation of swing bowling? Seems easy but will the commentators swing with it?