Paperback review: Twirlymen, By Amol Rajan

 

Bandon Robshaw
Saturday 27 July 2013 12:59 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

If you don't know your flipper from your Chinaman, this entertaining and informative history of spin bowling will put you right.

Long before he was the editor of our sister paper, Rajan was himself an aspirant leg-spinner, but a combination of injury and indolence stalled his career; so instead he has poured all his love and considerable knowledge into this book. He charts the history of spin from its earliest, underarm days to the present, exploring the careers of such legends as W G Grace, Jim Laker, Bishan Bedi, Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, and the controversial Muttiah Muralitharan, all of whom excelled in the art of getting batsmen out by bamboozling, rather than terrorising them. The chapters are interspersed by helpful diagrams showing the grip, flight, and pitch for each type of delivery; and now, at last, I think I understand what a googly is.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in