How to Bowl the Leg Spinner's Variations

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

Leg spin is considered to be one of most dangerous types of bowling to face particularly when the bowler has mastered the deliveries and can make plans to deceive the batsmen!^{[1]
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The stock ball for most leg spinners is the leg break which when bowled by a right arm bowler to a right hand batter will spin from leg to off! Although the leg break can be varied with side-spin or a bit more over-spin to confuse the batsmen there are still more to contended with!

The Googly is designed to trick the batsmen by making him believe it is a leg break and will spin from outside off-stump and hit off-stump!

The Top spinner or over spinner lands earlier than expect and bounces higher hitting the batsmen in the gloves or helmet!

The Slider or backspinner is the opposite to the top spinner and skids and slides

The Flipper has a different grip and skids getting lbw!

The Zooter is an easier version of the flipper although less effective

Steps

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As you bowl, you bring your elbow close to your head and cock your wrist so that back of your hand faces the batsman. You spin the ball by rotating the fingers. If done properly, the ball should turn from off to leg for right handers. If the batsman comes out of his crease and misses the googly, he can be stumped.
Bowl it as you would a googly, but don't cock you wrist during the action. This should impart forward spin that will cause the ball to dip later and bounce higher.^{[2]
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Bowl normally. This should impart backwards spin and should feel like a failed leg break. If bowled properly, however, the ball will dip earlier and keep lower to the ground.
Instead of rotating your fingers and wrist to give it spin, you pinch it out between your index finger, middle finger, and thumb, kind of like trying to squeeze it. The flipper will come out faster than a leg break, won't spin, and will keep close to the ground.^{[3]
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What position should I be in to bowl the leg spinner?

NepaliStickman

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Your body should face sideways, and only your face should face the batsman. It will help you to get more amount of spin.

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How can I be confident when bowling a leg spin?

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Look the batsmen in the eye and don't be afraid of getting hit, because leg spin is the more attacking spin, and even if you do get hit, remember that you are one step ahead and make use of the variations. Watch someone like Rashid Khan to see leg spin at its finest.

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How can I increase my stamina for cricket

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Play regularly and go for walks/runs. Be physical for more time than you already are. Set an increased goal every week and work towards it. Reward yourself once it is completed or motivate yourself to reach the goal next time if you couldn't do it this time.

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Tips

Bowl the flipper on mid and leg. Bowling it short after a few fuller deliveries means the batsman will try to play on the back foot. Because it doesn't spin much or bounce you can catch him LBW. Bowling it on mid and leg makes the batsman think it is a normal leg break and he might try to cut it. This leaves him open to be out LBW.

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Bowl the slider after fuller deliveries. The batsman will look to play on the back foot because it dips early, however the ball will not bounce much and you can catch him LBW.

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Bowl the topspinner after some shorter deliveries. By pitching it up, the batsman will try to play on the front foot but because it bounces high it can cramp him up giving the slips or the wicket keeper a chance. It can also bounce over his bat and bowl him.

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Try to rotate your wrist as much as you safely can while delivering. Don't put much pressure on the ball by your fingers and deliver at high speed. Build up momentum, and then use an angle of 10 degrees with the middle stump.

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