Flipper

A wrist-spinner's delivery squeezed out between thumb and index finger with backspin — the ball skids low and straight (Benaud, Warne's classic Gatting follow-up).

'Flipper' describes the wrist-spinner's back-spinning ball 'flipped' out from under the fingers, popularised by Clarrie Grimmett in the 1930s.

Perfected by Clarrie Grimmett in the 1930s, taught to Richie Benaud, and turned into an art form by Shane Warne in the 1990s.

Advanced — high-skill ceiling, requires drilled repetition and biomechanical screening before match use.

Held between thumb on one side and middle finger on the other; index finger guides.

A click of the fingers imparts backspin; the seam stays upright and rotates end-over-end backward.

Backspin extends carry and reduces dip, so the ball arrives fuller; low coefficient of restitution with the surface keeps it skidding low.

Bowl to a back-foot batter expecting more bounce — bowled and LBW are the primary modes.

Slowing the arm; the flipper must come at stock pace, the only tell is the audible click of the fingers.