Carrom Ball in Cricket

A delivery flicked off the bent middle finger, like a carrom board flick, that spins unpredictably.

What is a Carrom Ball?

Named after the carrom board game. The ball is gripped between the thumb, index finger, and bent middle finger, then flicked out on release. The ball can turn either way or go straight depending on the wrist position at delivery. Ajantha Mendis made it famous in 2008, tearing apart the world's best batters who had never seen the grip before. Requires extraordinary finger dexterity.

In play

Batter has read the off-spinner and leg-spinner comfortably. The carrom ball appears to spin both ways — batter attempts to read it, takes the outside edge, and is caught at slip.

More bowling terms

• FlipperA leg-spinner's backspin delivery that skids on low and fast, trapping batters LBW.
• YorkerA full delivery aimed at the batter's feet, landing in the crease area.
• BouncerA short-pitched delivery that rises sharply to chest or head height.
• Reverse SwingWhen an old, rough ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing.
• Seam MovementThe ball deviating off the pitch after landing on its seam, cutting sideways.
• Death BowlingThe specialised art of bowling in the final overs of a T20 or ODI to restrict boundaries.