Different Types of Leg Spin Bowling Variations | Explained

Leg spin is one of the most skilful deliveries to bowl as it involves the use of fingers, wrists, and most importantly, variations. A leg spinner who optimises these three factors alongside adjusting the length depending on the wicket and conditions can be a match-winner for their side.

In this piece, we discuss what types of variations leg spinners can put into use depending on their strengths. Every leg spinner possesses different skill sets through which he/she utilises variations proactively.

We take a look at these leg spin variations in detail:

1. Googly

A googly is the most penetrative variation for any leggie. Usually, the ball turns from right to left when a right-arm leg spinner bowls, but when he/she bowls a googly, it turns from left to right.

A left-arm leg spin delivery turns from left to right, while when he/she bowls a googly, it turns from right to left. In other words, in googly, a ball spins away from its original trajectory.

A bowler who adjusts his/her length accurately while bowling a googly can unsettle the best batters. When a right-arm leg spinner bowls a googly to a right-handed batter, the ball moves towards the fine leg after landing. When a left-arm leggie bowls it to a right-hander, it turns towards the third man. It involves skilful use of wrists and fingers.

Read Next | Ten Best Googly Bowlers in Cricket

2. Top Spinner

It is a kind of delivery that doesn’t turn away from the batter or go towards the batter, but it possesses unexpected bounce and dips. It is a mystery ball and holds its line.

Its grip is just like a leg spin as the thumb faces the batter. The palm faces eastwards when a right-arm leg-break bowler bowls, while it faces westwards when a left-arm leg-break bowler bowls.

There needs to be a flick of the wrists while the ring finger should be moved down towards the front. It needs to be handed in the right areas near the good-length spot where a batter can be invited to hit a big shot, thus getting the top edge and mistiming the shot only to be out-caught.

3. Flipper 

Flipper is one of the most difficult deliveries to bowl as it is released with an unorthodox action. It possesses a flatter trajectory, is bowled quicker through the air, and nips back in quickly only to surprise the batters.

It is held with fingers as the back of the hand faces the bowler while the thumb faces the batter. While releasing the ball, the thumb needs to be squeezed towards the middle and index fingers as the thumb is at the top of the ball. The thumb is a crucial element in this delivery.

Late legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne sharpened this skill with constant practice and combined it with speed and quick release.

4. Slider

Slider is just like a leg break, where its flight is also like a leg break. The arm is rotated sideways while there is a slight rotation of the wrists, which is unfamiliar to a regular leg spin.

It goes straight by holding its line without turning and quickly sneaks through the bat and pad of the batter. Its grip is just like a leg break as it faces towards the batter.

To apply variations in an opposite direction, the wrist needs to be towards the line of the body. The ball will hold its length and go through the batter.

It contains backspin that goes straight and slows down as it lands. It looks like a leg break, and so it is difficult to judge the length for a batter, although the hand and wrist positions differ.

A leg break rotates forward at an almost 45-degree angle while the slider rotates backwards, which is why a batter needs to understand where the ball is spinning if he/she is not able to determine the direction.

Read Next | The Difference Between Googly and Doosra in Cricket