In cricket terminology, the word Chinaman refers to which type of delivery or bowling?

Introduction / Context:
Cricket has many specialised terms for different types of deliveries and bowling styles. One such traditional term, Chinaman, is used in commentary and older coaching literature. Understanding exactly what kind of delivery it describes helps you interpret match descriptions correctly and answer terminology based questions in sports general knowledge sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The term given is Chinaman, used in the context of cricket bowling.
• The question asks what type of delivery or bowling style this term describes.
• Options include various kinds of spin and pace bowling.

Concept / Approach:
Traditionally, a Chinaman refers to a left arm wrist spin delivery bowled by a left handed bowler that turns from the off side to the leg side of a right handed batsman. In simple words, it is left arm unorthodox spin, the mirror image of a right arm leg spin. The bowler uses wrist spin action with the left hand. Over time, this style has been more respectfully described as left arm wrist spin or left arm unorthodox spin, but many older texts still use the term Chinaman.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that conventional left arm spin, called left arm orthodox, usually refers to finger spin that turns from leg to off for a right handed batsman. Step 2: Recognise that Chinaman describes the opposite turning direction for a left handed bowler, that is a wrist spin delivery turning from off to leg for a right handed batsman. Step 3: Understand that this corresponds to left arm unorthodox or left arm wrist spin bowling. Step 4: Look at the options and find the description that matches left arm unorthodox spin by a left handed bowler. Step 5: Select that option as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by thinking of well known left arm wrist spinners, who are often described as Chinaman bowlers in older commentary. Their deliveries spin like leg spin but delivered with the left hand. Coaching manuals also classify spin bowlers into right arm off spin, right arm leg spin, left arm orthodox spin and left arm unorthodox spin. In that classification, the Chinaman style clearly falls into the last category. No reputable source uses this term to describe fast bowling, yorkers or reverse swing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A very fast inswinging yorker: This describes a type of pace bowling aimed at the base of the stumps, not a spin delivery.
A special type of off spin bowled with the wrist: Off spin for a right handed bowler turns from off to leg but is generally finger spin, not the left arm wrist spin described by Chinaman.
A reverse swinging bouncer: This combines ideas from fast bowling, reverse swing and bouncers and has nothing to do with spin bowling terminology.
A style of underarm bowling: Underarm bowling is extremely rare in modern cricket and is not referred to using the Chinaman term.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners think Chinaman means any unusual or trick delivery, or they confuse it with doosra or carrom ball, which are different variations in spin bowling. Others mistakenly associate the term with the arm of the bowler rather than the spin style. To avoid confusion, remember the simple mapping: right arm wrist spin is leg spin, left arm wrist spin is often called Chinaman or left arm unorthodox. Also note that modern usage increasingly prefers terms that focus on direction and technique rather than old nicknames.

Final Answer:
In cricket, a Chinaman is a left arm unorthodox or wrist spin delivery bowled by a left handed bowler.