The Flipper in Cricket: The Leg-Spinner's Secret Weapon
The flipper is a leg-spin variation that skids through low rather than bouncing normally. Learn how it is bowled, why it takes so long to develop, and famous flipper dismissals.
What Is the Flipper?
The flipper is a leg-spin variation that is released by squeezing the ball out from between the thumb and bent index and middle fingers — like flipping a coin. This action imparts backspin on the ball, causing it to skid low and fast off the pitch rather than bouncing naturally. The batter expecting a normal bounce is often struck on the pad or loses their stumps.
How It Is Bowled
- The ball is held between the thumb and the bent first and second fingers
- Rather than rolled off the fingers (like a standard leg-break), the ball is squeezed and flipped
- The resulting delivery has underspin (backspin) rather than topspin or sidespin
- Backspin keeps the ball low — it stays closer to the ground than a standard bounce
- The delivery is quicker through the air and off the pitch than a regular leg-break
Famous Flipper Dismissals
Shane Warne's flipper dismissed Alec Stewart in the 1994-95 Ashes and destroyed many batters who expected the ball to bounce normally. Richie Richardson, Mike Atherton, and others were caught on the crease by the flipper's deceptively low skid — LBW or bowled when the ball crept under the bat.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the flipper so hard to bowl?
The flipper requires the fingers to squeeze the ball from an unusual position and angle, placing strain on tendons and joints. Bowling it repeatedly is demanding and most leg-spinners take years to develop it accurately.
Does the flipper turn or go straight?
The flipper goes relatively straight (with some tendency to angle slightly) but stays low. Its primary effect is pace and trajectory — skidding low — rather than significant lateral movement.