What is Chinaman in Cricket?
In cricket, a ‘Chinaman’ is a type of bowling delivery. It is bowled by a left-arm bowler to a right-arm batsman, spinning from the offside to the legside (left to right).
This is the opposite direction to a standard left-arm orthodox spin delivery that spins from leg to off (right to left).
The term ‘Chinaman’ originated from a Test match between England and the West Indies in 1933, when West Indian player Ellis Achong, who was of Chinese descent, dismissed an English batsman with a surprising delivery that spun from off to leg.
The batsman, Walter Robins, reportedly exclaimed, “Fancy being done by a Chinaman!” and the term stuck.
In modern cricket, the term ‘Chinaman’ is being used less frequently, with many preferring the term ‘left-arm wrist spin’ to describe this style of bowling.
Notable practitioners of this style include Australian bowler Brad Hogg and Indian bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
It’s worth noting that the term ‘Chinaman’ is specific to cricket and is not used in any other sport.
Origins of the Chinaman in Cricket
The term “Chinaman” in cricket was coined during the early 20th century, attributed to an exceptional left-arm spinner of Chinese descent, Ellis Achong. Achong, hailing from the West Indies, surprised English batsman Walter Robins in the 1933 Lord’s Test match by employing a delivery that spun into right-handed batsmen rather than away like traditional left-arm spinners.
Robins, taken aback by the unexpected trajectory, allegedly remarked, “Fancy being done by a bloody Chinaman!” Thus, Achong’s technique earned its quirky moniker.
Execution of the Chinaman
When a left-arm spinner delivers the Chinaman, he uses a wrist action that causes the ball to spin from the offside towards the leg side of a right-handed batsman.
This variant delivery confuses batsmen who anticipate a different trajectory. The Chinaman is typically bowled with a more sidearm or round-arm action, generating a significant amount of spin on the ball.
The goal is to deceive the batsman with the spin and induce a false stroke, resulting in either a wicket or a mishit.
Real-world Analogy
Imagine a dance performance. As the graceful dancer moves, they seamlessly transition from one step to another, captivating the audience with their agility.
Suddenly, the dancer introduces an unexpected move, catching the viewers off guard. Similarly, when a bowler delivers the Chinaman, it is akin to the dancer introducing a surprising twist to their routine.
The batsman, much like the mesmerized audience, must readjust their perception and adapt to this unforeseen maneuver in a fraction of a second.
The Chinaman is a captivating and unconventional bowling technique in cricket. With its obscure name and the ability to deceive batsmen, it has remained a rare but highly effective tool in a spinner’s arsenal.
Acknowledging its origins and observing its execution helps us appreciate the depth and complexity of this unique aspect of cricket.
Just as a dancer’s unexpected move captivates the audience, the Chinaman keeps the cricketing world enthralled with its ability to disrupt established norms and create thrilling moments on the field.
