Flipper (Leg-Spinner's Skidder)
Also known as: flipper, flipper in cricket, flipper delivery, the flipper, leg spinner's flipper, bowling the flipper
A flipper is a leg-spinner's variation squeezed out with backspin, so it stays low and skids through quicker than expected. It is usually a little shorter. Batters go back to cut or pull it, then get beaten by the low skid and bowled or trapped LBW.
The flipper is released from the front of the hand. The ball is squeezed out between the thumb and fingers, like clicking your fingers. That gives backspin rather than sideways spin. Backspin makes the ball float a little in the air and hurry on low after it pitches.
It is one of the hardest balls to bowl. Getting the grip and release right takes a lot of practice, and a bad one becomes a full toss or a long hop. That is why it is mostly seen from experienced wrist spinners.
For the batter, the flipper looks like a short ball to hit. The trap is the bounce. It skids on lower and faster than a leg-break of the same length. Batters who rock back to cut get beaten underneath. Against a leg-spinner, be wary of balls that look short but come out flatter and faster. Watch the hand at release.
Tips by skill level
Against a leg-spinner, keep the cut for balls that are clearly short and wide. Play straighter at short balls near the stumps.
Look for a front-of-hand release and a flatter trajectory. The flipper often comes out a little quicker and lower than the stock ball.
Example
The batter sees one short of a length and rocks back to cut. It skids through low and quick, under the bat, and hits the stumps.
Why it matters
The flipper turns a ball that looks hittable into a wicket. Knowing it exists keeps you from playing every short ball off a leg-spinner the same way.
Common mistakes
- Rocking back to cut every short ball from a leg-spinner
- Playing across the line at balls that skid on
- Not watching the hand for a different release
Frequently asked questions
What is a flipper in cricket?
It is a leg-spinner's ball bowled with backspin. It stays low and skids on faster than expected, often after looking short.
Why is the flipper hard to play?
It looks like a short ball to cut or pull, but it skids through lower and quicker. Batters rocking back get beaten underneath.
Related terms
- Leg-SpinLeg-spin is spin bowling where a right-arm bowler spins the ball from leg to off: away from a right-handed batter, or left to right as that batter sees it. The bowler's wrist rotation provides the spin.
- Top-SpinnerA top-spinner is a spin delivery with forward overspin, so it dips in the air and bounces higher than the batter expects. It turns very little sideways. Wrist spinners use it to beat batters on length, causing top edges, LBWs and catches to close fielders.
- GooglyA googly is a leg-spinner's wrist-spin delivery that turns the opposite way to the stock ball, toward a right-hander. An identical action disguises it.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- Square CutThe square cut is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump. It slashes the ball square on the off side, toward point.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.