Left-Arm Wrist Spin
Also known as: left arm wrist spin, left-arm unorthodox spin, slow left-arm wrist-spin, left arm leg spin, chinaman bowler, chinaman
Left-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.
It is the mirror image of right-arm leg-spin. The wrist and fingers spin the ball hard. The stock delivery turns into a right-hander from outside off stump. The googly, or wrong'un, turns away towards the slips. It is rarer than finger spin. That rarity is part of why batters find it hard.
Against it, right-handers need to cover both edges. Many look for the googly first by watching the hand. The googly usually comes out with the back of the hand facing the batter. Playing forward with the bat in front of the pad covers the stock ball. Watching the seam in the air helps read the googly.
Scoring options depend on the turn. Right-handers can hit the stock ball with the turn through mid-wicket or go inside-out against it through cover. Left-handers see the stock ball turn away from them. For them it acts like a leg-break from a right-armer. Using the feet to reach the pitch of the ball smothers the spin for either hand. The old name "chinaman" is still heard. Wisden replaced it with "slow left-arm wrist-spin" in 2018.
Tips by skill level
Before you bat, find out whether a left-arm spinner bowls finger spin or wrist spin. The stock balls turn in opposite directions.
Look for the hand position on the googly in the first over. Many wrist spinners also bowl it at a slightly different pace.
Example
A left-arm wrist spinner bowls to a right-hander. The first ball turns sharply in from outside off. The next comes out with the back of the hand facing the batter. It is the googly and spins away past the edge.
Why it matters
Few batters face left-arm wrist spin often. Knowing which way each ball turns for your hand removes much of the surprise.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every left-arm spinner turns the ball away from a right-hander
- Missing the googly by watching the pitch instead of the hand
- Playing across the line at the stock ball turning in
- Charging the bowler without reaching the pitch of the ball
Frequently asked questions
What is a chinaman bowler in cricket?
It is an old name for a left-arm wrist spinner. Wisden dropped the term in 2018. Many in the game now avoid it and say left-arm wrist spin or left-arm unorthodox instead.
Which way does left arm wrist spin turn?
The stock ball turns into a right-handed batter, from off to leg. The googly turns away from a right-hander. For a left-handed batter it is the other way round.
How do I play left arm wrist spin?
Watch the hand to pick the googly. Play forward with the bat in front of the pad and use your feet to reach the pitch of the ball. Score with the turn and keep your head still.
Sources
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.
- 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.
- Left-Arm Orthodox SpinLeft-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.
- Inside-Out ShotAn inside-out shot hits a ball on the stumps or leg side through the off side, usually over or through extra cover. Move inside the line by stepping towards the leg side, then swing out towards the off side with an open face. It is a common way to score against spin turning into you.
- StumpedA batter is out stumped if the wicket-keeper breaks the wicket while they are out of their ground and not attempting a run. No other fielder may be involved. You cannot be stumped off a no ball, but you can be stumped off a wide. Keep part of your bat or body grounded behind the popping crease.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.