The carrom ball
The latest trick in the offspinner's bag is the carrom ball, bowled by flicking the fingers and propelling the ball out of the front of the hand. The ball follows a flat trajectory and goes away off the pitch, like a legcutter. Since much spin isn't imparted to the ball, it skids off the surface. Also, the flat trajectory means less bounce, and this in turn means it is difficult for the batsman to get under and find elevation. Additionally, the away movement makes on-side play even tougher.Special mention must be made of Graeme Swann, who has managed to become one of the best spinners in the world without using the doosra and the carrom ball. Swann uses his long fingers and solid body action to generate spin off the surface, and has mastered the slider, which holds its path instead of spinning into the batsman.
