Forfarshire Cricket Club

After an over in Sundays third team game that contained beamers and bouncers (from the opposition) the question of what the laws allow was asked.

Beamers:
The bowlers end umpire should call a no-ball if a slow delivery passes above the strikers shoulder when in a normal standing position. If the ball is not slow, and if the ball passes above the strikers waist, it should be a no-ball. The umpire has the right to interpret what is a fast or slow delivery taking into account the strikers ability - but normally only a spinner is above the shoulder, all else is above waist height.

Bouncers:
The bowlers end umpire has the right to decide when the repeated bowling of fast short pitched balls has become dangerous and unfair, taking into account their length, height, direction and the ability of the batsman. If the ball is thought to be unfair, a no-ball should be called and the bowler warned.

If a second beamer or unfair bouncer is bowled, the bowler should be given a final warning and the fielding captain informed. The bowler should be removed from the attack immediately should a further unfair delivery be bowled.

League Rules:
Some competitions limit the number of short pitched deliveries allowed in an over. The SNCL limit is one short pitched ball (that passes above the shoulder) but the Strathmore Union does not have a limit, other than the normal laws of the game.

Download the Laws of Cricket from www.lords.org