This film is part of Free
Spin Bowling
The mysteries of bamboozling the batsman are demonstrated by three masters of the craft.
Overview
Three leading spin bowlers of the early 1980s demonstrate their craft. Off-spinner John Emburey shows the grips he uses to deliver the off-break and the 'floater', while his Middlesex and England colleague, slow left-armer Phil Edmonds, gives us the leg break. Pakistan's maestro Abdul Qadir has further tricks in store - wrist spin, googlies and the 'flipper'.
This is part of a series of coaching films funded by major cricket sponsor Natwest Bank, all preserved in the BFI National Archive. As well as the demonstrations of technique, the films include relevant coverage of county and Natwest Trophy matches. Other films in the series, including Batting the Forward Strokes and Fielding and Wicket Keeping, are also available on BFI Player.
Related
Somerset County Cricketers Ian Botham and Brian Rose Somerset County Cricketers Ian Botham and Brian Rose
News 1977 3 mins Location: Taunton
Ian Botham and Brian Rose tell it like it is - interviewed in 1977 Plus ca change
Basil D'Oliveira - Dolly Basil D'Oliveira - Dolly
News 1968 0 mins Location: Devon
Basil D’Oliveira plays football with his children
Alec Bedser Cricket Home Movies: MCC Tour of Australia 1954 Alec Bedser Cricket Home Movies: MCC Tour of Australia 1954
Amateur film 1954 52 mins Silent
The voyage, the camaraderie, the matches, the sights: the whole experience of a 1950s tour down under is here.
Colin Milburn's Cricketing Comeback Colin Milburn's Cricketing Comeback
Sport 1970 3 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
Amiable cricket legend “Ollie” Milburn hopes to return to cricket depsite losing partial sight in his left eye following a car accident.
Fielding and Wicket Keeping Fielding and Wicket Keeping
School programme and Educational film 1983 26 mins
"Catches win matches!" England's David Gower and wickie Bob Taylor show how it's done.
Learie Constantine Learie Constantine
Biopic 1945 9 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The West Indian cricketing legend is filmed in his role as a welfare officer, working to help African and Caribbean factory workers in Merseyside.
Brendan Fraser in Conversation Brendan Fraser in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 81 mins
The star of The Mummy, George of the Jungle and The Whale - for which he won an Academy Award - visits BFI Southbank to talk about his career.
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.