Bouncer (cricket)

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In the sport of cricket, a bouncer (or bumper) is a type of short-pitched delivery, usually bowled by a fast bowler, which bounces once and then reaches the batter at head-height.

Contents

Usage

Bouncers are used to drive the batter back on to his back foot if he has been freely playing front foot scoring shots, such as drives. To this end, bouncers are usually directed more or less at the line of the batter's body. Aiming at the batter is legal provided the ball bounces on the pitch; or upon reaching the batter, the ball is below the batter's waist. Aiming at the batter's head without bouncing on the pitch, known as a beamer, is illegal.

A batter attempting to play a hook shot against a bouncer. Playing a hook shot.jpg
A batter attempting to play a hook shot against a bouncer.

A batter may play a bouncer in either a defensive or an attacking way. If the batter plays it defensively he aims primarily to avoid getting out, and secondarily to avoid being hit by the ball. For a head-high bouncer, these goals are achieved most easily by ducking under the ball. If the ball is at chest height, the batter's best defence is to move on to his back foot, raise his bat vertically to chest height, and attempt to block the ball and direct it downwards to the pitch so as to avoid presenting a catch to a fielder. Sometimes the batter will need to jump into the air to gain the necessary height to defend with the bat. He may also sway out of the way. Given these approaches, the bowler can hope to both intimidate the batter somewhat, and possibly have the ball deflect off the bat at an awkward angle and produce a catch for a nearby fielder.

Bouncer in purple. Cricket delivery lengths en.svg
Bouncer in purple.

Conversely, the bouncer can be a very productive ball for the batter, if he plays it in an attacking manner. The shot that is used to attack the bouncer is the hook shot. To play the hook shot the batter moves his back foot backwards and towards the off side as the ball is being delivered. As the ball approaches, the batter swivels from facing the off side to facing the leg side, while holding the bat horizontally. The batter's aim is to hit the ball at high speed towards, into or over the leg side boundary. However, despite their run-scoring potential, hook shots frequently lead to wickets falling, particularly through balls hitting the top edge of the bat and being caught by leg side fielders. However, if the bouncer is misdirected by the bowler, and reaches the batter on the off side of his wicket, the cut, uppercut or late cut can be played, either with the intention of guiding the ball along the ground, through a gap in the field setting or over the infield for four or six. [1]

There is an unspoken agreement, particularly in the time before the widespread use of batting helmets, that fast bowlers will not bowl bouncers at each other, because less skilled batters are less likely to effectively defend and therefore more likely to be struck. [2] Breaking of this rule can lead to "bouncer wars" – that is, the targeted bowler engaging in retaliatory hostile short-pitched bowling at his opponent during the following innings. [3]

ICC rules

Graeme Swann evades a bouncer from Mitchell Johnson Johnson to Swann (bouncer).jpg
Graeme Swann evades a bouncer from Mitchell Johnson

Because of the potential danger to batters of being hit and to stop bowlers bowling bouncers all the time, there are Laws in the Laws of Cricket governing how frequently a bowler may bowl bouncers, as well as how many fielders may field backward of square leg. These laws take into account the relative skill of the batters.

During the 1970s to 1980s, bouncers were used as part of a team's intimidatory tactics, especially by the West Indies team. In 1991, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a "one bouncer per batter per over" rule in an attempt to discourage the use of intimidation. However, the ruling was not well received by players and umpires alike, with English umpire Dickie Bird describing it as "farcical" as he felt that calling intimidatory tactics should be left to the umpire. [4] The ICC changed it to two bouncers per over in 1994, with a two-run no-ball penalty (rather than one-run no-ball) if the bowler exceeded two bouncers an over. [5] One Day International cricket allowed one bouncer per over in 2001 (and a one-run no-ball in case a bowler exceeded the limit). [6]

On 29 October 2012 the ICC increased the number of bouncers that could be bowled during a One Day International to two per over. [7] The number of bouncers per over allowed in T20s was kept to one.

Controversies

Fast leg theory, the deliberate and sustained bowling of bouncers aimed at the body, coupled with a cordon of legside catching fieldsmen to catch deflections, was a tactic used by England against Australia in 1932/33, dubbed the Bodyline series by the Australians. This controversial tactic caused the Laws of Cricket to be reformed to prevent any recurrence.

In 1954–55 in Sydney, [8] England fast bowler Frank Tyson bowled bouncers at Australian Ray Lindwall, who returned the favour by hospitalising Tyson with one of his own. An angry Tyson returned with a large lump on his head and took 6/85 in the second innings to give England a 38-run victory.

In 1994 at the Oval [9] Devon Malcolm was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Fanie de Villiers. The incensed Malcolm told the South Africans "You guys are history" and took apart their second innings with 9/57.

Injuries and deaths caused by bouncers

Justin Langer spent time in hospital in 2006 after being struck in the head by a bouncer Justin Langer Portrait.jpg
Justin Langer spent time in hospital in 2006 after being struck in the head by a bouncer

The bouncer is an aggressive delivery and the very nature of the delivery by a fast bowler and aimed at the head can lead to batters being hit in the chest, neck or head. While rare, impacts to the top part of the body can cause serious injuries or even death. While the laws of cricket can be used to limit the delivery, particularly when being used against specialist bowlers at the end of the batting order, it is not outright banned like the beamer.

In 1962, Indian captain Nari Contractor was hit above his right ear by a Charlie Griffith bouncer which resulted in severe loss of blood and left Contractor critically ill. He regained full consciousness after six days and returned to first-class cricket ten months later. [10]

In 2006, playing in his 100th test, Australian opener Justin Langer was struck on the head by a bouncer from Makhaya Ntini and hospitalised. In 2008 West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul was knocked out for several minutes after being hit by a bouncer from Australian fast bowler Brett Lee during a test match. [11] Shoaib Akhtar injured both Gary Kirsten (2003) and Brian Lara (2004) with fast bouncers. Both batters had to be taken off the field. [12]

In November 2014, Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes was knocked unconscious by a bouncer from Sean Abbott, which hit the side of his head, between the grille and shell of his helmet, during a Sheffield Shield match. [13] He was taken to hospital in a critical condition, suffering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage, but died from his injuries two days later, never having regained consciousness. [14]

During the semi-final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, against England, Alex Carey injured his chin from a bouncer bowled by Jofra Archer. The resulting blow knocked the helmet off Carey's head; he caught it mid-air before it could fall onto the stumps, saving himself from dismissal.

During the second test of the 2019 Ashes Series, Australian batter Steve Smith was hit on the neck by a 148.7 km/h (92.4mph) delivery from England fast bowler Jofra Archer. After retiring concussed, Smith returned to play 45 minutes later. [15] The Australian medical team's decision to let him play was criticised by the brain injury charity Headway, as "incredibly dangerous". [16] Smith's replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, became the first concussion substitute in a Test match. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

Leg theory is a bowling tactic in the sport of cricket. The term leg theory is somewhat archaic, but the basic tactic remains a play in modern cricket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodyline</span> Cricket bowling technique

Bodyline, also known as fast leg theory bowling, was a cricketing tactic devised by the English cricket team for their 1932–33 Ashes tour of Australia. It was designed to combat the extraordinary batting skill of Australia's leading batsman, Don Bradman. A bodyline delivery was one in which the cricket ball was bowled at pace, aimed at the body of the batsman in the expectation that when he defended himself with his bat, a resulting deflection could be caught by one of several fielders deliberately placed nearby on the leg side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowling (cricket)</span> Cricket delivery

Bowling, in cricket, is the action of propelling the ball toward the wicket defended by a batter. A player skilled at bowling is called a bowler; a bowler who is also a competent batter is known as an all-rounder. Bowling the ball is distinguished from throwing the ball by a strictly specified biomechanical definition, which restricts the angle of extension of the elbow. A single act of bowling the ball towards the batsman is called a ball or a delivery. Bowlers bowl deliveries in sets of six, called an over. Once a bowler has bowled an over, a teammate will bowl an over from the other end of the pitch. The Laws of Cricket govern how a ball must be bowled. If a ball is bowled illegally, an umpire will rule it a no-ball. If a ball is bowled too wide of the striker for the batsman to be able to play at it with a proper cricket shot, the bowler's end umpire will rule it a wide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fielding (cricket)</span> Collecting the ball to force dismissal

Fielding in the sport of cricket is the action of fielders in collecting the ball after it is struck by the striking batter, to limit the number of runs that the striker scores and/or to get a batter out by either catching a hit ball before it bounces, or by running out either batter before they can complete the run they are currently attempting. There are a number of recognised fielding positions, and they can be categorised into the offside and leg side of the field. Fielding also involves preventing the ball from going to or over the edge of the field.

In cricket, an umpire is a person who has the authority to make decisions about events on the cricket field according to the Laws of Cricket. Besides making decisions about legality of delivery, appeals for wickets and general conduct of the Game in a legal manner, the umpire also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of cricket terms</span> Cricket terminology

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">No-ball</span> Cricket penalty

In cricket, a no-ball is a type of illegal delivery to a batter. It is also a type of extra, being the run awarded to the batting team as a consequence of the illegal delivery. For most cricket games, especially amateur, the definition of all forms of no-ball is from the MCC Laws of Cricket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batting (cricket)</span> Cricket terminology

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An outswinger is a type of delivery of the ball in the sport of cricket. In such a delivery the ball curves—or "swings"—out and away from the batter's body and the wicket. By contrast, an inswinger swings in toward the batter and the wicket. Outswingers are bowled by swing bowlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dismissal (cricket)</span> Cricket terminology

In cricket, a dismissal occurs when a batter's innings is brought to an end by the opposing team. Other terms used are the batsman being out, the batting side losing a wicket, and the fielding side taking a wicket. The ball becomes dead, and the dismissed batter must leave the field of play for the rest of their team's innings, to be replaced by a team-mate. A team's innings ends if ten of the eleven team members are dismissed. Players bat in pairs so, when only one batter remains who can be not out, it is not possible for the team to bat any longer. This is known as dismissing or bowling out the batting team, who are said to be all out.

Baseball and cricket are the best-known members of a family of related bat-and-ball games. Both have fields that are 400 feet (120 m) or more in diameter between their furthest endpoints, offensive players who can hit a thrown/"bowled" ball out of the field and run between safe areas to score runs (points) at the risk of being gotten out, and have a major game format lasting about 3 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowled</span> Term in cricket

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Hit wicket is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. This method of dismissal is governed by Law 35 of the Laws of Cricket. The striker is out "hit wicket" if, after the bowler has entered his delivery stride and while the ball is in play, his wicket is put down by his bat or his person. The striker may do this whilst preparing to receive or receiving a delivery or in setting off for his first run after playing the delivery. In simple language, if the striking batsman knocks the bails off the stumps or uproots the stumps, while attempting to hit the ball or take off for a run, he is out hit wicket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delivery (cricket)</span> Single action of bowling a cricket ball

A delivery or ball in cricket is a single action of bowling a cricket ball toward the batsman. Once the ball has been delivered, batsmen may attempt to score runs, with the bowler and other fielders attempting to stop this by getting the batsmen out. When the ball becomes dead, the next delivery can begin.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddle scoop</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cricket</span> Bat-and-ball game

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard (20-metre) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at one of the wickets with the bat and then running between the wickets, while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this and dismiss each batter. Means of dismissal include being bowled, when the ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails, and by the fielding side either catching the ball after it is hit by the bat, but before it hits the ground, or hitting a wicket with the ball before a batter can cross the crease in front of the wicket. When ten batters have been dismissed, the innings ends and the teams swap roles. The game is adjudicated by two umpires, aided by a third umpire and match referee in international matches. They communicate with two off-field scorers who record the match's statistical information.

References

  1. ↑ "How best to deal with a bouncer". Hindustan Times. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Cummins defends bouncers at tailenders". Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "Australia's Justin Langer refutes idea of 'bouncer war' against England at Headingley". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "Bird wants end to bouncer rule". independent.co.uk. 28 February 1994.
  5. ↑ MARTIN JOHNSON, Cricket Correspondent (6 July 1994). "Cricket: ICC allows extra bouncer per over: Lord's changes". The Independent.
  6. ↑ "Cricket's Turning Points: The bouncer rule". Cricinfo.
  7. ↑ "ICC paves way for Day-Night Tests". Wisden India. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "The Home of CricketArchive".
  9. ↑ "The Home of CricketArchive".
  10. ↑ "The bouncer that ended a career". ESPNcricinfo. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Brett Lee bumper KO's runmaker Chanderpaul". The Courier-Mail . 26 May 2008.
  12. ↑ "My XI : Shoaib Akhtar – 'Undoubtedly the quickest, the meanest' – Cricket videos, MP3, podcasts, cricket audio – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. 4 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Phillip Hughes in critical condition following surgery after being knocked out by bouncer in Sheffield Shield match". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  14. ↑ "Phillip Hughes: Australian batter dies, aged 25". BBC News. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Steve Smith forced off after being hit by 92mph bouncer". The Independent. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  16. ↑ MEDIAmaker. "Headway criticises decision to allow Australian cricketer to return to play following suspected concussion". www.headway.org.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "Smith out of second Test, Labuschagne in as concussion replacement". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
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