Name:

Achong, Ellis

Nickname:

Puss

Date of Birth:

16 Feb 1904

Gender:

Male

Place of Birth:

Trinidad

Career:

Test: 1930 - 1935
First Class: 1929 - 1935

Teams:

West Indies (Country)
Trinidad and Tobago (Regional)

George Headley at Lords (1933)

Achong Ellis: First bowler of Chinaman spin

Achong Ellis was a left-arm spin bowler. He was the first cricketer of Chinese extraction to play Test cricket, appearing for West Indies in six matches against England and taking eight wickets at 47.25.

Chosen to tour England in 1933, he played in all three Tests but with limited success, and in all first-class matches that season took 71 wickets.

The origin of the term "chinaman" is reported to have originated after Ellis had Walter Robbins stumped during the Manchester Test of 1933. With this delivery, Achong won a niche in cricket history. According to Richie Benaud, as Robbins walked back to pavilion he said to Joe Hardstaff Snr, the umpire: "Fancy being done by a bloody chinaman".

Ellis had a great deal more success in provincial cricket in the West Indies and then in the English Lancashire League. He also served as an umpire. He died at St Augustine on 29 August 1986.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter