Cricket is all about cunning skill, patience and crafty deception. Among the most intriguing of these tricks is the googly – A delivery that appears to be a routine leg-break but spins in a completely different direction, leaving the batsman lost for clue. Fans frequently ask: “In which country was the googly invented? and “Which man was the first to bowl this delivery of mystery?”
The googly wasn’t just stumbled upon randomly – it has a colorful origin story that includes creativity, experimentation and even a bit of inspiration from a basic table game. This piece investigates it all: where the googly came from, who invented it, how it functions, how much of an impact it had on cricket and why even now – a hundred years after Bosanquet was able to fool warners at Lord’s with that first delivery – he remains one of the most dangerous variations in spin bowling.
What Is Googly? A Simple Explanation
A googly is the delivery by a leg-spinner, which instead of going from leg to off as does the standard leg-break, turns in the opposite direction i.e. from off to leg (for a right handed batsman).
It looks to the batsman just like any ordinary leg-spin delivery until it suddenly spins the other way. The ‘mystery’ behind it is what makes this ball a wicket-taking one.
Here’s the secret of a googly:
- that sudden inwards flick of the wrist as you release
- He presents a similar runup and action to the bowler’s stock leg-spin
- Keeping the mask on and misleading the batsman about which way the ball is spinning.
It requires serious wrist strength and the co-ordination to execute it, which is why only good leg-spinners use it with any regularity or consistency.
In Which Country Was the Googly Invented?
zheng) The googly was created in England.
The exceptional Bernard Bosanquet, senior English cricketer is credited with the invention of this exquisite delivery. His was a creation that revolutionized the off-spin department and introduced an element of mystery to leg-break bowling.
How Was Googly Invented? The Real Story
The origin of the googly is almost as fascinating as the delivery.
Inspired by a Table Game
Bosanquet initially had the idea for it from a fun table game he played called Twisti-Twosti where players would bounce the ball underhanded in a deceptive way to fool others. He understood the trick could be cricket raised.
Early Experiments in Late 1890s
It was about 1897–99 that Bosanquet started doing some experimenting while practising:
- first with soft rubber balls
- then with actual cricket balls
He would try to flick his wrist as he released, and soon enough the ball started turning the other way, counter-spinning from a traditional leg-break.
First Use in First-Class Cricket
He first bowled a googly in a first-class match in 1900, while representing Middlesex against Leicestershire.
The batsmen were shaken and cricket had seen something innovative.
Why Is the Googly Special?
The googly is special because it deceives and misleads. Here’s why it stands out:
Perfect Deception
A Batting a leg-spinner 1) Length If the length is lost between short and the good-length, the ball will be easier to play.
- wrist position
- seam direction
- body movement
An accomplished bowler obscures all of these hints.
Opposite Spin Direction
A batsman waiting for a leg-break suddenly has one turn the other way — which results in:
- bowled dismissals
- LBWs
- edges to slip or short-leg
Deadly in Modern Limited-Overs Cricket
The T20 and ODI batters pre-meditate shots. Timing is thrown off and footwork disrupted by the surprise googly.
Key Facts About the Googly
| Aspect | Information |
| Invented in | England |
| Inventor | Bernard Bosanquet |
| First used | 1900 (vs Leicestershire) |
| Inspired by | A table game: Twisti-Twosti |
| Type of Delivery | A leg-spinner’s variation |
| How it spins | Turns from off to leg |
| Purpose | To deceive and dismiss batsmen |
How to Bowl a Googly (Step-by-Step)
Here is an introductory guide for the aspiring leg-spinner:
1. Grip the Ball Properly
- Index & metro across the seam
- Ring finger used to impart spin
- Thumb resting lightly for stability
2. Use the Correct Wrist Action
At the release, turn wrist inward so palm momentarily faces chest. This creates the opposite spin.
3. Maintain Normal Run-up & Action
image“The secret to the perfect googly is deception.
If you change what it looks like, the batsman is going to start picking it early.
4. Release With Precision
Let the ball go just before the hand peaks.
5. Smooth Follow-Through
Let the natural arm-swing keep you accurate and balanced.
Common Mistakes When Bowling a Googly
Even the best bowlers find it hard to:
- Incorrect wrist position
- Signaling the change with body language
- Overusing the googly, making it predictable
The googly is most effective as a surprise weapon.
How the Googly Won Cricket’s Heart and Mind
When Bosanquet first bowled the delivery, it was widely dismissed as a party trick.
But it was soon hijacked by bowlers all over the world.
The googly:
- Turned leg-spin into an assaultive art
- Differentiation, particularly in Test cricket
- Evolve into a weapon for contemporary T20 specialists.
- Assisted spinners in outwitting the very best batsmen
Today, no master of the leg-spinner’s art would be complete without a well-concealed googly.
Famous Bowlers Known for Their Googly
Some of the greatest spinners mastered this delivery:
1. Shane Warne (Australia)
Warne’s deceptive wrist-spin variations, including the googly, made him one of the best bowlers in history.
2. Anil Kumble (India)
Though known for pace in his spin, Kumble’s googly often surprised set batsmen.
3. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan)
A magician of spin, Qadir’s googly was fast, sharp, and unpredictable.
4. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Modern cricket’s finest T20 spinner – his quick googly is nearly unreadable.
5. Kuldeep Yadav (India)
Who Was Bernard Bosanquet?
Middlesex and England’s Bernard Bosanquet (1877–1936).
He claimed 629 wickets in 235 first-class games, but his major gift to cricket was creating the googly.
His art transformed the way spinners thought about playing, and his legacy is felt in every leggie who bowls this unfairly crafty delivery.
Conclusion
So, in which country was the googly invented?
England – by Bernard Bosanquet in the early 1900s.
One of the most iconic and lethal deliveries in cricket started off as a naïve experiment after a table game. And the googly still signifies imagination, skill and cunning – a weapon that is necessary for any leg-spinner who hopes to get one over on the batsman.
If you’re a follower of cricket, an aspiring teenage bowler or simply interested in this grippingly mysterious sport, recognising the inventor of the googly will give you that bit more to marvel at and reverence for the art that is spin bowling.
FAQs
Q1. In which country was the googly invented?
Ans: The googly was invented in England by Bernard Bosanquet.
Q2. Who first bowled a googly in cricket?
Ans: Bernard Bosanquet bowled the first-known googly in 1900 while playing for Middlesex.
Q3. Why is a googly difficult to play?
Ans: Because it spins in the opposite direction of a normal leg-spinner, causing batsmen to misjudge the trajectory.
Q4. What inspired Bosanquet to invent the googly?
Ans: A table game called Twisti-Twosti, which involved tricking opponents with deceptive ball movement.
Q5. Is the googly still used in modern cricket?
Ans: Yes, it is one of the most important variations for leg-spinners, especially in T20 and ODI cricket.
Q6. Can off-spinners bowl a googly?
Ans: No. Off-spinners use a similar deceptive ball called the doosra, not a googly.
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