Can someone please explain...

[Roddy]

...the term 'Chinamen', pertaining to spin bowling deliveries? ie, what are the origins of the term?

 

[belfast_bomber]

according to legend. some bloke of chinese ancestry playing in the west indies used to bowl these, and one day an english bloke got out to one, and went back into the dressing room muttering "fancy being bowled by a chinaman"

the name stuck

 

[Browney2006]

according to legend. some bloke of chinese ancestry playing in the west indies used to bowl these, and one day an english bloke got out to one, and went back into the dressing room muttering "fancy being bowled by a chinaman"

the name stuck

Correct.

Not very exciting really.