Left-arm orthodox spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket. Left-arm orthodox spin is bowled by a left arm bowler using the fingers to spin the ball from right to left of the cricket pitch (from the bowler's perspective). Left arm orthodox spin bowlers generally attempt to drift the ball in the air into a right-handed batsman, and then turn it away from the batsman (toward off-stump) upon landing on the pitch. The drift and turn in the air are attacking techniques. The major variations of a left arm spinner are the topspinner (which turns less and bounces higher or lower in the cricket pitch), the arm ball (which does not turn at all, drifts into a right-handed batsman in the direction of the bowler's arm movement; also called a 'floater') and the left-arm spinner's version of a doosra (which turns the other way). Well known left-arm orthodox spin bowlers include New Zealand Captain Daniel Vettori and former England bowler Ashley Giles. Derek Underwood, Sir Gary Sobers, Phil Tufnell andBishen Bedi were also well known exponents of this type of bowling. The left-arm unorthodox spin like a leg break or leg spin is also a bowling action.Left-arm unorthodox spin, or Chinaman, is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket using the hand wrist.
Left-arm unorthodox spin bowlers uses a wrist hand action to spin the ball which turns from off to leg side of the cricket pitch. The direction of turn is the same as that of a traditional right-handed off spin bowler, however, the ball will usually turn more sharply due to the spin being imparted predominantly by the wrist. Some Left arm unorthodox bowlers bowl a leg spinner's "googly" (or "wrong'un"), which turns from right to left on the cricket pitch. The ball turns away from the batsman, as if the bowler were an orthodox left-arm spinner.
The left-arm unorthodox bowling action is bowled in common with a leg spin or leg break. Very few highly skilled left arm wrist spinners have played at the international Test level. The South African, Paul Adams was known for his unusual bowling action, is perhaps one of the best known left arm wrist spinners. Another notable wrist spinner includes Michael Bevan from Australia, who was known for his speed and bounce. Other types of spinners include Brad Hogg, Garfield Sobers and Dave Mohammed of the West Indies.
Classic bowling dismissals: Slow left arm
Left arm bowlers have a great advantage over right arm finger spinners and so are more likely to take wickets.
While all the rules of flight, turn, dip and guile of the off spinner apply, the ball turning away from the right handed batsman is even harder to play. Most batsmen, especially below first class level, tend to be more adept at leg side shot and to play these against the angle of the turn is dangerous.
'Magic' ball
Every left arm orthodox spinner dreams of this ball. From around the wicket, drifting in the air towards the batsman, drawing him or her forward only to pitch and spin like a top past the outside edge to clip the off stump:
It's a very rare ball to bowl and usually only happens on turning wickets (especially deteriorated ones) where the batsman has been set up with a series of dot balls. The way to set this up is to bowl one or two balls outside off stump with less turn then hit the magic spot with a ball that turns and dips more and watch the fun.
There is a danger associated with this ball too. Many spinners strive to bowl it every time and if it goes wrong you can end up giving easy runs on the leg side. It's a ball to try now and again rather than going for glory every time.
Nicking off
A more realistic dismissal is the ball that turns less, but just enough to catch the edge of a drive or defensive shot. This brings in the wicketkeeper, slips and gulley for catches behind the wicket. Short extra cover can also take a good share.
This can very often come from a mistake made by a frustrated batsman against accurate bowling andeffective field settings. In other words, you need do little more than put the ball on the spot and bowl maidens to get wickets.
The really canny spinners can also fool the batsman into an error. Again you can set it up over a series of balls, bowling a little too full and wide, encouraging the drive. When you hold one back a bit the batsman is through the shot too early and you have them.
This can also work with a slightly quicker ball or a ball that is given a rip and turns/bounces/dips. The key is to upset the batters rhythm by making them think you are doing something different.
Arm ball
The ball that goes on with the arm with little visible change of action is another deception and a wicket taking variation. The ball is on a wider line than the orthodox left arm spin delivery, ideally drifting towards the batsman in the air. It's slightly quicker and does not turn on pitching. The batsman, playing for the turn, gets an inside edge or is trapped LBW/bowled through the gate:
To help with the angle, the arm ball is best bowled around the wicket from a wide position on the crease. To avoid giving away your arm ball, try bowling a few orthodox balls from wider on the crease before slipping the arm ball in.
Bat-pad
It's unusual at recreational level to see the bat-pad catch as happens in Tests. The ball tends to turn and bounce less at lesser pace. This stops the fielders at short leg and silly point from taking catches close in. Add to this the lower quality of umpires and even if one does fly off the bat it may not be given out.
Left handers
To south-paw batsmen the ball is turning in. The left arm spinner effectively becomes a mirror of the off-spinner to a right hander. The classic dismissals in this circumstance are bowled through the gate or caught behind off the arm ball.
