Cricket is a sport full of surprises, and one of its most fascinating bowling techniques is the googly. This mysterious delivery has puzzled many batters over the years. But one question still interests cricket lovers and researchers alike — “In which country was the googly invented?”
In this article, we’ll explore the complete history of the googly, who created it, how it changed the game, and more. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is a Googly in Cricket?
A googly is a special delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler. It looks like a normal leg-spin ball but spins in the opposite direction — moving from off to leg for a right-handed batsman. This surprises the batter because they expect the ball to turn the other way.
Key Features of a Googly:
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Bowled with a leg-spin action
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Spins like an off-spin ball
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Designed to deceive the batter
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Mostly used by wrist spinners
In Which Country Was the Googly Invented?
The googly was invented in England.
It was first introduced in the early 1900s by Bernard Bosanquet, an English cricketer. Bosanquet played for Middlesex and the England national team. He was experimenting with spinning techniques when he accidentally developed the googly while playing a table-top game with a ball. Later, he applied the same wrist movement in cricket.
Who Was Bernard Bosanquet?
| Name | Bernard Bosanquet |
|---|---|
| Born | October 13, 1877 – England |
| Role in Cricket | All-rounder, but known for bowling |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg-break bowler |
| Famous For | Inventing the “Googly” |
| Year of Invention | Early 1900s (around 1900–1905) |
Bernard Bosanquet used this new delivery during a match against Australia in 1903-04 Ashes series, surprising the Aussie batsmen and making headlines across the cricketing world.
How the Googly Changed Cricket
Before the googly, most bowlers bowled straightforward deliveries. When the googly was introduced, it confused batters because they couldn’t guess which way the ball would spin. It gave leg-spinners a new weapon to dismiss even the best batsmen.
This delivery made wrist-spin bowling more creative and unpredictable.
Is Googly Still Used Today?
Yes, absolutely. Many modern-day bowlers use googlies as part of their strategy. Some famous bowlers who mastered the googly include:
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Shane Warne (Australia)
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Anil Kumble (India)
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Abdul Qadir (Pakistan)
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Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
They use the googly to outsmart batters and take important wickets in both Test and limited-overs cricket.
Key Facts About Googly
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Country of Invention | England |
| Inventor | Bernard Bosanquet |
| Year Introduced | Early 1900s |
| Purpose | To confuse batters with reverse spin |
| Used by | Leg-spin bowlers |
Conclusion
So, in which country was the googly invented? — The answer is England. Bernard Bosanquet changed the way spin bowling was played with this clever delivery in the early 1900s. Since then, it has become an important part of every leg-spinner’s toolkit.
Googly is not just a delivery; it’s a symbol of creativity in cricket — a reminder that sometimes, a small twist can change the entire game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which country discovered googly?
England is the country where the googly was discovered. Bernard Bosanquet invented it in the early 1900s.
Is Doosra a googly?
No, the doosra and googly are different deliveries.
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Googly is bowled by leg-spin bowlers and spins in the opposite direction of a regular leg-spin.
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Doosra is bowled by off-spin bowlers and spins in the opposite direction of a regular off-spin.
Both are designed to confuse the batsman, but their grip, release, and spin direction differ.
Who is the king of googly?
While many bowlers have used the googly effectively, Shahid Afridi, Rashid Khan, and Abdul Qadir are often considered among the best. However, Bernard Bosanquet remains the “father” of the googly as its inventor.
In which country was Carrom ball invented?
The Carrom ball was invented in Sri Lanka. It was made popular by Ajantha Mendis and later used effectively by Ravichandran Ashwin of India. Unlike the googly, it is flicked between the fingers and can turn in different directions.
What is googly in cricket?
A googly is a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spinner that turns in the opposite direction than expected. It tricks the batsman into playing the wrong shot, often leading to wickets.
