Left-Arm Orthodox Spin
Also known as: left arm orthodox, slow left arm orthodox, slow left arm, left-arm finger spin, SLA bowling, left arm spinner, playing left arm spin
Left-arm orthodox spin is finger spin from a left-arm bowler. The stock ball turns from leg to off, away from a right-handed batter and into a left-hander. To play it as a right-hander, cover off stump, play with the turn through the off side and watch for the arm ball that goes straight on.
The bowler is also called a slow left-armer. They spin the ball with the fingers, as an off-spinner does. The difference is the left arm. From over the wicket, the ball angles in towards a right-hander's stumps, then turns away. That angle and turn bring the outside edge and LBW into play.
Against it, many right-handers take a guard that helps them cover off stump. They play forward with the bat slightly ahead of the pad to the ball turning away. Scoring options include driving with the turn through cover and cutting the shorter ball. Sweeping is a common way to change the length. The arm ball is the main variation. It skids on with the arm instead of turning. It is a danger to a batter playing for turn.
Left-handers see the same ball turn into them. They face a different danger. The ball spinning back can take the inside edge onto the pad or into the stumps. A close catcher at short leg or leg slip waits for the bat-pad catch. For both hands, the bat in front of the pad and decisive footwork are the best protection.
Tips by skill level
Ask a left-arm spinner to bowl at you in the nets. Practise forward defence with the bat ahead of the pad, then drive the ball through cover.
Use the sweep and the step down the pitch to change the length. A slow left-armer who cannot settle on a good length is more likely to drop short or overpitch.
Example
A slow left-armer bowls over the wicket to a right-hander. The batter drives the first ball with the turn through cover. The next is the arm ball. She keeps her bat in front of her pad and blocks it.
Why it matters
Left-arm spin is common at every level. Knowing which way it turns for your hand helps you choose your guard, your scoring shots and your defence.
Common mistakes
- Playing for turn and missing the arm ball that goes straight on
- Pushing the pad out in front of the bat
- Driving against the turn towards mid-on
- Staying rooted on the crease against a flighted ball
Frequently asked questions
How do I play left arm spin as a right hander?
Cover your off stump, play forward with the bat slightly in front of the pad and score with the turn through the off side. Watch for the arm ball. It goes straight on instead of turning.
What is slow left arm orthodox bowling?
It is finger spin bowled with the left arm. The stock ball turns from leg to off for a right-handed batter. It is the left-arm version of off-spin.
Which way does left arm spin turn?
The stock ball from a slow left-armer turns away from a right-hander and into a left-hander. A left-arm wrist spinner's stock ball turns the other way.
Related terms
- 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.
- Off-SpinOff-spin is finger-spin bowling that turns the ball from off to leg, toward a right-handed batter. It uses the fingers, not the wrist, and its stock delivery is the off-break.
- 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.
- Sweep ShotThe sweep is a cross-bat shot played on one knee to a good-length ball, usually from a spinner. It sweeps the ball around to the leg side to counter turn and length.
- Left-Arm Wrist SpinLeft-arm wrist spin is bowled with the left arm, spinning the ball out of the back of the hand like a leg-spinner. Its stock ball turns from off to leg, into a right-handed batter. Its googly turns away. It used to be called "chinaman". Wisden dropped that term in 2018, and many in the game now avoid it.
- Left-Handed BattingBat the way that gives you the most control, whatever hand you write with. Research has found pro batters are much more likely than beginners to bat with their stronger hand on top of the handle. Left-handers face different angles from bowlers. Left-right partnerships make bowlers keep changing their line.
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