bosie
Noun: A type of delivery in cricket where the bowler, typically a leg-spinner, imparts spin on the ball so that it drifts in the air in one direction (e.g., from leg to off for a right-handed batsman) but, upon pitching, turns sharply in the opposite direction (e.g., from off to leg). It is a deceptive and difficult ball to play.
The term "bosie" is used specifically within the context of cricket to describe this particular bowling technique. It is a technical term familiar to players and enthusiasts of the sport. - The bowler's most dangerous delivery was his well-disguised bosie. - He was dismissed by a perfect bosie that pitched outside off stump and hit leg stump.
The word "bosie" is synonymous with the more common modern term "googly". It is named after its inventor, the English cricketer Bernard Bosanquet. Its use is almost entirely confined to historical discussions or specific regional commentary (e.g., more common in Australian usage). - In the early 20th century, Bernard Bosanquet revolutionized spin bowling with his invention of the bosie.
- Googly (noun): The standard modern term for a "bosie". It describes the same deceptive delivery.
- Wrong'un (noun, informal): A colloquial term, primarily used in Australian English, for a googly/bosie.
- Leg break (noun): The standard delivery for a leg-spinner, which turns from leg to off. The bosie/googly is the "wrong'un" or opposite-spinning delivery.
- Googly
- Wrong'un (informal)
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using "bosie". Its use is strictly technical and related to cricket.
- a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way