T&T Spinner Invented the 'Flipper'?

Former Trinidad & Tobago player Ganesh Mahabir claims he was the first spinner who mastered the art of bowling the ?Flipper? which is today one of the main deliveries used by the world?s number one leg spinner Australian Shane Warne.

?In 1982 while playing for the East Zone I developed a delivery which my team-mates referred to as the "skidder" and "Zigger". Former West Indies batsman Rohan Kanhai, who was at that time coach of the East team, he said was amazed at the delivery and, "told me it was unique,? said Mahabir.

The former national player says his claim to being the first exponent of this delivery was confirmed when he was told by members of the Jamaican team, that Kanhai, who had taken up a job as that country?s coach later in 1982, had warned them of "my special delivery".

Mahabir said he only became aware of his lethal delivery when he saw Warne tossing down the identical delivery?the ?Flipper". Mahabir bounced into the lime light in 1976 when he made his debut with Crompton Sports Club in the National Division One competition. After his exploits in local competitions, Mahabir graduated to represent national senior team in the regional series (then known as the Shell Shield) where he claimed 100 wickets in his 23 appearances at this level.

His most outstanding performance in first class action was against Barbados when he returned the outstanding figures of six for 63. Highpoint in his career, as far as the former Queen?s Park cricketer is concerned, came in 1985 when he was named among the top five cricketers in the region. "That year I took 30 wickets in the Shell Shield and it was indeed an honour to be named among this elite group," says Mahabir.

The 44-year-old Mahabir, who is not at all disappointed in not going on to play for the West Indies, firmly believes that former "mystery bowler" Harold Joseph is the best wrist spinner to see regional action. "In my opinion 'Harold Jo' is definitely the best wrist spinner that we have produced so far in the West Indies. But 'Harold Jo' came at a time when there was an abundance of fast bowlers and so could not get very far in the game," said Mahabir. "But had he been born in a different era the world would have seen more of him.?

Joseph, a right arm wrist spinner, toured Australia with the West Indies team in 1981, but did not play in any Tests.

Mahabir, who along with Joseph and former national batsman now High Court Judge, Prakash Moosai, led Moosai?s to becoming one of the top clubs on the local scene, does not hold the view that the West Indies should have a spin bowler on the team merely to add variety to their attack. ?A spin bowler must be a match winner and not just to add variety to the attack. If he's a quality spinner then play him...if not don?t,? Mahabir says.

The former Moosai and Queen?s Park cricketer warned young cricketers they should not aspire to make the senior team at the end of their youth career, but while they are still involved at this level. The former national wrist spinner showered accolades on the national and regional selectors who had the wisdom to select teenaged stars, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul and Denzil James, to play at regional level.

?The selectors must be commended for this move in the right direction,? Mahabir is still actively involved in domestic competitions and played a major role in assisting British American Aranjuez Sports to make a clean sweep in this year?s Super League competition, and gain promotion to compete in the National League division two series next year.

Mahabir finished the season as leading wicket-taker for Aranjuez with a haul of 57 scalps. He will be assisiting the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control in screening young spinners for the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Academy and is also eagerly making efforts to get involved with the Sport and Youth Affairs Ministry to pursue a career in cricket coaching.

SOURCE: Trinidad Express.