Top-Spinner
Also known as: top spinner, top-spinner, topspinner in cricket, top spin delivery, overspinning delivery, leg spinner's top spinner
A 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.
Most spin deliveries rotate sideways. A top-spinner rotates forwards, towards the batter. The overspin makes the ball drop sharply late in its flight. It then kicks up off the pitch and comes on straight or with only a little turn.
Leg-spinners bowl it from their normal wrist action. The wrist turns so the back of the hand faces the batter less than for a leg-break. Off-spinners can add overspin too, but the top-spinner is best known as a leg-spinner's variation. It looks similar to the leg-break and the googly from the hand.
For the batter, the danger is length. A ball that looks drivable dips short and climbs. A batter pushing forward can be caught bat-pad or at slip off a top edge. One rocking back may be beaten by the extra bounce. Watch the hand and the seam. A top-spinner's seam often rotates straight down the pitch. Stay patient on length before committing.
Tips by skill level
Against a wrist spinner, try to read the length late. Do not decide on the drive while the ball is still rising.
Watch the seam in flight. A seam rotating straight down the pitch usually means overspin and extra bounce.
Example
The leg-spinner tosses one up. The batter goes to drive but it dips short and bounces. It takes the top edge and loops to short leg.
Why it matters
Leg-spinners use pace, spin direction and length to deceive. The top-spinner wins on length, so reading it saves you from a soft dismissal.
Common mistakes
- Committing to the drive before seeing where the ball dips
- Playing for turn when the ball comes on straight
- Pushing hard at a bouncing ball so it pops to close fielders
Frequently asked questions
What is a top spinner in cricket?
It is a spin delivery with forward overspin. It dips late and bounces higher than expected, with little sideways turn.
How is a top spinner different from a leg break?
A leg-break spins sideways and turns away from a right-hander. A top-spinner spins forwards, dips more and bounces higher.
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.
- Flipper (Leg-Spinner's Skidder)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.
- 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.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.