Clarrie Grimmett
A New Zealand-born wizard of spin who moved to Australia and revolutionized bowling with his mysterious 'flipper' delivery.
1891–1980 (age 89)·Australian cricketer·Birthday: December 25·The Lost Generation
Biography
Clarrie Grimmett's story is one of patience, migration, and subtle, devastating skill. Born in New Zealand, he found his opportunities limited and, in his early twenties, moved to Australia, where he had to serve a long residential qualification before he could play for his adopted country. He made his Test debut at the ripe old age of 33, but then made up for lost time with breathtaking speed. Grimmett was a leg-spin bowler of relentless accuracy, a rarity in an art form known for its flamboyant unpredictability. His great contribution to cricket was the 'flipper,' a delivery he is widely credited with inventing. Bowled with a snapping action of the fingers, it skidded through low and at pace, often trapping batsmen plumb in front or bowling them behind their legs. Alongside Bill O'Reilly, he formed one of the most feared spin partnerships in history, bamboozling English batsmen during the infamous 'Bodyline' series and beyond. Grimmett took 216 wickets in just 37 Tests, a staggering rate that spoke of a craftsman who had perfected his trade in solitude before unleashing it on the world.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Clarrie was born in 1891, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Clarrie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1891
Clarrie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1891Born
President: Benjamin Harrison
1896Started school
First modern Olympic Games held in Athens
President: Grover Cleveland
1904Became a teenager
New York City opens its first subway line
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1907Could drive
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1909Could vote
Robert Peary claims to reach the North Pole
President: William Howard Taft
1912Turned 21
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1921Turned 30
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1931Turned 40
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1941Turned 50
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1951Turned 60
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 70
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 80
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1980Died at 89
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
Key Achievements
- Took 216 Test wickets at an average of 24.21, becoming the first bowler in history to reach the 200-wicket milestone.
- Is widely credited with inventing and mastering the 'flipper,' a key variation in the leg-spinner's arsenal that confused generations of batsmen.
- Formed a legendary spin bowling partnership with Bill O'Reilly, dominating the 1930s Australian cricket team.
- Achieved 13 five-wicket hauls in Test matches, demonstrating his match-winning capability.
Did You Know?
He was a qualified piano tuner and often practiced his craft while on cricket tours.
He did not make his Test debut until he was 33 years old, after moving from New Zealand to Australia.
His nickname was 'Scarlet' because of his frequently sunburned complexion.
He wrote a highly instructional book on bowling, 'Getting Wickets,' which detailed his methods and the flipper.
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