Chinaman bowler: Who is a chinaman bowler?

Chinaman bowling, a captivating art in the realm of cricket, refers to the skillful left arm leg spin technique. The cricketing world truly became acquainted with this distinctive style through the emergence of Kuldeep Yadav on the international stage.

Kuldeep Yadav, who debuted in March 2017, holds the honor of being the first Chinaman bowler to represent India in a Test match. Chinaman bowlers are a rare breed, renowned for their exceptional bowling action and their unique signature delivery. Esteemed figures like Brad Hogg and Sir Garry Sobers have popularized this bowling style. Mastering the art of Chinaman bowling requires an arduous journey of relentless practice and exceptional skill.

Chinaman bowler

Chinaman bowling refers to a specific type of bowling technique employed by left-arm spin bowlers. In simpler terms, it involves a left-handed bowler spinning the ball from their wrists in a way that mirrors the movement of a right-handed bowler’s leg break.

Unlike a regular left-arm spin bowler who spins the ball away from a right-handed batsman, a Chinaman bowler brings the ball back towards the batsman, making it quite challenging to handle. This unexpected movement can catch right-handed batsmen off guard, as they anticipate the ball to turn away from them towards the off-stump when facing a typical left-arm spinner. As a result, they are often surprised by the sharp turn generated by a Chinaman delivery, which spins inward.

The art of Chinaman bowling primarily involves left-arm wrist spin, and left-arm wrist spinners tend to excel at mastering this technique. Alongside the Chinaman delivery, these bowlers possess natural variations typical of left-arm wrist spinners. Their stock delivery turns into a right-handed batsman and away from a left-handed batsman. Additionally, skillful left-arm spinners can also employ a deceptive delivery called the “Googly,” which spins away from right-handed batsmen and towards left-handed batsmen.

Chinaman bowling, a distinctive style of wrist-spin delivery, has an interesting origin story in the world of cricket. While there is some debate about its exact beginnings, two prominent figures are often associated with its popularization.

Charlie Llewellyn, a former South African all-rounder who played in the late 19th century, is considered one of the earliest exponents of Chinaman bowling. Llewellyn, who was born to parents of both black and white heritage, is also recognized as one of the first South Africans with such ancestry to have played international cricket. His skill and versatility on the field made him a notable player in his time.

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However, when it comes to the name and fame associated with Chinaman bowling, Ellis ‘Puss’ Achong, a West Indies spinner and the first Test cricketer of Chinese origin, takes center stage. Achong, of Chinese descent, introduced a delivery that puzzled English batsman Walter Robins during the 1933 Old Trafford Test between England and West Indies. This particular ball broke back sharply from the line of the off stump, catching Robins off guard. Frustrated by the dismissal, Robins supposedly walked away and uttered the remark to the umpire Joe Hardstaff Sr., “Fancy being done by a bloody Chinaman.”

It was this incident that led to the wrist-spun deliveries from a left-arm bowler being called Chinaman, marking a significant moment in the history of cricket terminology. However, there are ongoing debates among cricket enthusiasts about whether Achong consistently bowled the Chinaman delivery or if it was simply a variation of his regular finger-spin deliveries. Nonetheless, Achong’s name became synonymous with the famous delivery and its subsequent naming.

Another intriguing aspect of this anecdote involves Learie Constantine, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of his era. Constantine, who later became the first black man to sit in the British House of Lords, was fielding during that particular day of the Test match. Upon overhearing Robins’ remark, Constantine humorously responded, “Is that the man or the ball?” While it is impossible to verify this alleged statement, many believe that if anyone could have made such a witty remark, it would likely have been Constantine. He went on to author the book ‘Colour Bar’ in 1954, gaining entrance to the English bar the same year.

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Constantine’s life took various turns after his cricket career. He returned to his native Trinidad and became the country’s first High Commissioner in London. However, in 1964, he resigned from his position following a bus dispute in Bristol and a subsequent falling out with the British Prime Minister.

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