What Does Chinaman in Cricket mean? (Easy Explanation)

I find cricket to be a fun game to watch. However, many people do not know that to play the game, in addition to being strong, you need good ball-handling skills. These results from strong hand-eye coordination for the player to sprint between wickets, bowl, and throw the ball as well as run to stop it. But, what does Chinaman mean in the game?

Chinaman in cricket refers to a left-arm leg-break spinner who moves the ball in a clockwise direction away from a left-handed batsman to a right-handed batsman. Only a handful of people occupy this rare position due to the sharp turning skill required to throw the ball to a right-hander.

There is more to a cricket game than you see it. Make sure you read on to learn more about the game, including the skills behind every spin bowler.

What Is the Origin of the term “Chinaman”?

The term Chinaman came into existence after a West Indies left-arm finger spin player of Chinese origin, Ellis “Puss” Achong. It was in a test match between the West Indies vs. England when Ellis stumped off an unexpected delivery that flew outside the off-stump straight to the right-hand bowler. The ball went right past England’s batman Walter Robins who was famous for taking risks in the game to gain positive results.

The move still left England’s Walter Robins confused, as he could be heard shouting after the game, “fancy move by a bloody Chinaman!” So, after Ellis Achong, there have been numerous other players who specialize in left-arm deliveries. Some like Garfield Sobers turned spinning into a useful tool, thanks to his fast bowling skills.

The modern game of cricket is also witnessing a rise in the use of Chinaman deliveries. For example, Bradd Hogg, who represented Australia in the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World cups, is famous for being the most distinguished “wrong-uns” in his career.  Bradd, an Australian national from Narrogin, ended up picking 13 wickets in 2003 and 21 in 2007.

Why Aren’t There Many Chinaman Bowlers in Cricket Games?

Cricket has very few Chinaman bowlers because of the law of averages, in addition to the complexity of the wrist spinning process. These bowlers may also be referred to as left-arm wrist spinners, left-arm leg-break bowlers, or left arm leg spinners.

Look at this: The key to becoming a Chinaman bowler is making sure your left arm bowls with your leg break so you can make the ball spin in the opposite direction. Your projected ball should spin toward the body of a right-handed player and away from the body of a left-handed player.

This is why so many players are hesitant to take on the Chinaman bowling role. As a Chinaman, when the left arm matches the leg break, the same happens for a batsman on the right. You will, however, use your wrist and fingers to rotate the bowl in a clockwise direction this time as the Chinaman bowler.

Most Chinaman bowler’s spin has to attain a speed of about 70-95kph on either side they will be headed for.

What Is the Difference Between a Wrist Spin and a Finger Spin?

The wrist spin technique releases the ball from the back of the hand and passes it over the little finger in a clockwise direction, whereas the finger spin technique spins the ball in the opposite direction in an anti-clockwise direction.  

Wrist Spin Bowling

Chinaman bowlers should master this technique before managing the wrong-uns effectively. A spinner spins the ball from the offside in a manner that is difficult for batsmen to counteract. The wrist spin is also famous as an off-spin since it is spun from the offside.

To successfully make an off-spin, you should focus your attention on your gripping and delivery from the position of your fingers around the ball.

For you to make a successful off-spin, your main aim should be in your grip and delivery from your position of the fingers around the ball.

• Position it comfortably between your index and middle finger’s knuckles.
• Tighten the grip around it, a loose grip lets the ball slip off.
• Rest the ball against your ring finger without removing it from the index and middle finger. The ring finger supports the ball when your wrist generates the spin.
• Keep your thumb and little finger relaxed so they don’t  destruct the ball as it spins off
• Aiming your ball towards the batman on the left, swing the bowling arm over your head as you wrist forward; this forces the bowl to spin once you release it from the top of your rotation.

Finger Spin Bowling

You must gain enough momentum before releasing the ball using this technique to strike the ball with the proper balance and delivery. You will need a specific balance that will maximize the spin on the ball to produce your desired accuracy.

What Are the Different Types of Spin Bowlers in Cricket?

The different types of Spin bowlers in cricket are the Right-arm leg-spinners, Right-arm off-break spinners, Chinaman spinners, and the left-arm orthodox spinner. 

• Right-arm Leg Spinners

If you take this role, you will be propelling the ball away from a right-hand batsman to a left-hand one. Here your wrist matters more in spinning the ball in an anticlockwise direction at a speed of about 70-95kmph. However, if you are a leg spinner, you are much likely to generate a higher spin.

• Right-arm Off-break Spinners

Here you will be using your fingers more than the wrist and maintaining the same speed, not less than the 70kmph. So as a right-arm off-break spinner, you will release the ball spinning it in a clockwise direction and moving it towards a right-hand batsman away from left-hand batsmen.

• Chinaman Spinners (Left-arm leg break spinners)

To fulfill this role, you need to bowl the ball through your left arm and maintain the same speed in a clockwise direction. So because as a Chinaman bowler, your leg break bowls with the left arm, your ball will spin in the opposite direction away from a left-handed batsman towards a right-handed batsman.

• Left-arm Orthodox Spinner

In addition to the Chinaman, this position is the most effective in the game. Tossing the ball here will require creating enough spin so the batsmen cannot counter it. Therefore, you want your ball to travel toward the right-handed batsman and away from the left-handed batsman.

So your spin will involve rolling the fingers down the left side of the ball, generating an anticlockwise spin.