Dropper is a term in cricket that is synonymous to a lob ball. A lob ball is the ball delivered using lob bowling. This type of ball delivery is a unique way of bowling using the underarm, which allows a ball to follow a great spin and a constant pace and variation. During the delivery, the bowler’s hand does not go beyond the waist level.
Lob bowling is considered illegal especially if there are no prior agreements made before a cricket match. This became illegal after the 1980-81 World Series.
Famous Bowler Droppers
Before lob bowling was considered illegal, there have been many bowlers who performed the action and had been noted for doing so. One of these is George Simpson-Hayward. He was the last bowler to have used lob bowling before it ruled out as illegal. Hayward became famous for throwing out a ball with a lower trajectory than almost all of those who do lob bowling. This action allowed him to deliver a ball that comes with constant pace and variation and a great spin.Another famous underarm bowler is Digby Jephson. He was known for throwing out bowling actions that were similar to crown green bowling, wherein a ball is thrown at a great height for it to descend away or behind a batsman. This kind of technique was also used by Charles Palmer and was termed as donkey-drops.
Last but not the least is Trevor Molony. He was a player for Surrey and was considered as the last one to do lob bowling in a first-class cricket competition in 1921.