“Unorthodox” bowlers in cricket are those who employ unconventional techniques or styles that deviate from traditional bowling actions. Here are five notable unorthodox bowlers:
1. PaulPaul Adams (South Africa):
Paul Adams, famously known as “The Frog in a Blender”, had a unique left-arm wrist spin bowling action. He would leap in the air and deliver the ball with a spinning wrist action that puzzled many batsmen during his career.
2. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka):
Ajantha Mendis introduced the “carrom ball” to international cricket, a delivery that spins in the opposite direction to a conventional off-break. He also had a variety of other unorthodox deliveries in his repertoire, making him a mystery spinner during his prime.
3. Shane Warne (Australia):
While Shane Warne’s bowling action might seem conventional at first glance, his mastery of leg spin and ability to consistently deceive batsmen with variations in flight, drift, and spin made him one of the most unorthodox and effective bowlers in cricket history.
4. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka):
Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action was often labeled unorthodox due to his hyperextension of the wrist and unusual flexibility. He was a spinner who could extract incredible turns and bounce from even the most lifeless pitches, thanks to his unique action and variations.
5. Sunil Narine (West Indies):
Sunil Narine’s off-spin bowling action is unorthodox in the sense that he delivers the ball with quick, whippy action and bowls a variety of deceptive deliveries, including the knuckleball and the doosra. His ability to deceive batsmen with subtle variations in pace and spin has made him a successful bowler in limited-overs cricket.
These bowlers have not only achieved success but also left a lasting impact on the game with their unorthodox styles and techniques.
