Probably one of the most unique sights on the cricket field is that of the Chinaman approaching the wicket to bowl. The Chinaman delivery is one that is complicated to pull off but beautiful to behold. Starting from the right of the wicket, the bowler allows his wrist to completely turn. It is similar to the way a right armer bowls his leg spin delivery.
The direction of the ball spinning after pitching is very similar to the way a right arm off-spin trajectory but is very hard to pick up on tracks that are turning. There is an interesting theory behind why the term was coined.
Origins:
The term Chinaman was coined way back in the year 1933. England were hosting the West Indies at Manchester and after being dismissed for 375 in their first innings, Manny Martindale destroyed England’s top order.
The English skipper Douglas Jardine and Walter Robins put on a partnership of 140 runs to balance things out. Things were looking smooth until the West Indies spinner Ellis Achong bowled a delivery that spun from off to leg and got Robins stumped.
What’s interesting is that Achong is the first cricketer of Chinese origin and the reason the term was coined was when Robins quipped on the way back to the pavilion, “Fancy being done by a bloody Chinaman.” The term stuck for some reason and ever since, anyone bowling the delivery has been called a chinaman.
Popular Chinamen:
There have been many “chinamen” bowlers ever since Achong retired and they have had moderate success for their team, either as a part or a full-timer. Some of the most popular Chinaman bowlers include the likes of Brad Hogg from Australia, South Africa’s distinctly bowling Paul Adams (Seriously, look up his action), the legendary West Indian Gary Sobers as well as Michael Bevan for Australia.
India has its first chinaman in the form of Kuldeep Yadav and he troubled the Australian batsmen during his debut game last year.
Chinamen can be very hard to pick up and are from a very special school of bowlers. Batsmen find it supremely hard to pick them up on turning tracks.
