Cricket Underarm Bowling Rules
| Aspect | Rule Explanation |
|---|---|
| Definition | Underarm bowling refers to the bowling action where the bowler delivers the ball with an underarm motion, releasing it below the waist level, instead of the traditional overarm action. |
| Historical Context | Underarm bowling was once a common practice in cricket, especially in the early days of the sport. It gradually became less prevalent as overarm bowling gained popularity for its effectiveness. |
| Legality and Acceptance | Underarm bowling is legal in cricket but is rarely used in professional matches today. It is considered a novelty and is not commonly seen at higher levels of the game. |
| Limited-Over Cricket | In limited-overs cricket, underarm bowling is not commonly employed as it restricts the bowler’s ability to generate pace and variation, which are crucial in limited-overs formats. |
| Sportsmanship | While underarm bowling is within the rules, it is considered unsporting in certain situations, especially if used to gain a competitive advantage in a manner that lacks fairness. |
| Incident in 1981 | In a famous incident in 1981, during a One-Day International between Australia and New Zealand, the underarm delivery became controversial when used to prevent the batting team from scoring a six. |
| Changing Bowling Actions | Over the years, the laws of cricket have evolved to encourage and standardize overarm bowling as the primary method, making it the standard and more accepted bowling action in the modern game. |
Explanation:
Underarm bowling in cricket refers to the bowling action where the bowler delivers the ball with an underarm motion, releasing it below the waist level, as opposed to the traditional overarm action. It was once commonly used in the early days of cricket. However, as the game evolved, overarm bowling gained popularity for its effectiveness, and underarm bowling gradually became less prevalent.
Underarm bowling remains legal in cricket, but it is rarely seen in professional matches today. It is considered more of a novelty or a nostalgic nod to cricket’s historical roots. In limited-overs cricket, underarm bowling is not commonly employed because it restricts the bowler’s ability to generate pace and variations, which are vital in limited-overs formats.
While underarm bowling is technically within the rules, it is considered unsporting in certain situations, especially if used to gain a competitive advantage in a manner that lacks fairness or respect for the spirit of the game.
One of the most infamous incidents involving underarm bowling occurred in 1981 during a One-Day International between Australia and New Zealand. In a contentious move, the Australian captain instructed his brother to bowl the final ball underarm to prevent the New Zealand batsman from scoring a six needed to tie the match. This incident sparked widespread debate and led to changes in the cricketing community regarding the acceptability of underarm bowling.
In modern cricket, the laws and regulations have evolved to promote overarm bowling as the primary and more accepted method of delivering the ball. Overarm bowling allows for greater skill, pace, and variations, making it the standard bowling action used at all levels of the game today. While underarm bowling remains part of cricket’s history, it is rarely used in contemporary cricket, except for occasional light-hearted exhibition matches or for recreational purposes.