Flipper in Cricket

A leg-spinner's backspin delivery that skids on low and fast, trapping batters LBW.

What is a Flipper?

Bowled with a squeezing action of the fingers rather than a wrist roll, the flipper generates backspin that causes the ball to skid through lower and faster than the batter expects. It does not turn appreciably off the pitch but its change of pace and trajectory is enough. A batter deceived by a flipper often plays for a delivery that bounces, gets hit on the pad by the skidder, and is plumb LBW. Richie Benaud and Shane Warne perfected it.

In play

Leg-spinner has bowled three big turning leg breaks. Batter plays back for the turn — the flipper skids on low. Ball hits pad halfway up. Umpire raises finger. The batter never picked it.

More bowling terms

• 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.
• KnuckleballA pace bowler's slower delivery, gripped with the knuckles instead of fingertips.