Paul Adams: A South African chinaman bowler. Photo: Google
Chinaman bowler. A mystery of cricket. One of the most talked-about topics in cricket. Many of the world-class batsmen are uncomfortable facing their bowling rotation. Chinaman bowlers are becoming a cause of panic for batsmen day by day.
In cricket, leg-spin brings an extra advantage for each team. Leg spin is considered an art in cricket. If that leg-spin is left-handed, it becomes a panic for the batsmen. Originally left-arm wrist spinners or left-arm leg-spinners are called Chinaman. Left-arm wrist-spinners are a rare species in cricket.
Ellis Edgar Achong: A West Indian cricketer of Chinese descent. Photo: Sportskeeda
Chinaman Bowling gained popularity through West Indies left-arm spinner Ellis Edgar Achong. He was of West Indian Chinese descent. In a Test match against England in 1933, Achong dismissed English batsman Walter Robbins with a superb left-arm leg-spin. "Fancy being done right by a bloody Chinaman," said batsman Robbins as he returned to the pavilion after being dismissed. Since that match, Left-arm leg spinners have been known in the cricket world as Chinaman bowlers. However, South African cricketer Charlie Llewellyn is known as the father of left-arm leg-spin (Leggie in the mirror).
Australia's Brad Hogg was successful as a Chinaman bowler. South African bowler Paul Adams was also a popular chinaman bowler in cricket history. At present, Indian left-arm leg-spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav is on the list of successful players. Kuldeep has been successfully bowling left-arm leg-spin in all three formats of cricket.
- Test:
Matches: 7
Wickets: 26
Economy: 3.5
Best Bowling Figure: 5/57
- ODI:
Matches: 63
Wickets: 105
Economy: 5.22
Best Bowling Figure: 6/25
- T20:
Matches: 20
Wickets: 39
Economy: 7.11
Best Bowling Figure: 5/24
In the present time, Chinaman bowlers are in huge discussion because of Kuldeep Yadav, Tabaris Samsi, Lakshan Sandakan. The batsmen are uncomfortable dealing with their extraordinary left-arm leg-spin. They can change the situation of the match at any moment. They can bring victory for their team by their extraordinary bowling skills.
Source: Cricbuzz & ESPN Cricinfo