The term “chinaman,” which is currently being discussed everywhere due to bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Brad Hogg, and Paul Adams who popularized it, has an interesting history related to unique left-arm bowling actions. This history involves two Indian legends, all-rounder Lala Amarnath and the famous spin quartet member B.S. Chandrasekhar. But before delving into this, let’s briefly understand what a chinaman delivery is.
What is Chinaman?
In simple terms, a Chinaman bowler is a left-arm spinner who delivers the ball with a wrist spin action. Although the term “Chinaman” is commonly used, it has come under scrutiny due to its racial undertones and perceived insensitivity. Some cricketing officials and players have advocated for the term to be replaced with more neutral terms like “left-arm leg-spinner.” Like others that have recently been updated, such as changing “batsman” to “batter” for gender neutrality. As there is a growing movement towards avoiding such terms.
History of Chinaman Bowling
If we dig into history, we find that it was Australian cricket writer and commentator, David Shepherd in the early 20th century who first used the term after observing India’s legendary all-rounder Lala Amarnath, who bowled with his left arm and delivered leg-spin. Although the exact reasons for the term’s origin are not well-documented, many believe it may be due to the way the ball spins or the peculiar style of the bowling action. The term might have evolved from “Chinese” to “Chinaman,” reflecting a cultural and linguistic adaptation.
Top Chinaman Bowlers
| Players | Nationality |
|---|---|
| Sir Garfield Sobers | West Indies |
| Johnny Wardle | England |
| Lakshan Sandakan | Sri Lanka |
| Chuck Fleetwood Smith | Australia |
| Paul Adams | South Africa |
| Dave Mohammed | West Indies |
| Michael Bevan | Australia |
| Brad Hogg | Australia |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India |
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