Summary
A full toss above waist height is a no-ball. Two beamers in an innings and the bowler is removed from the attack.
Full Explanation
A beamer is a delivery that reaches the batsman above waist height on the full (without bouncing). It's considered one of cricket's most dangerous deliveries because the batsman has very little time to react.
For pace bowlers, any delivery above waist height on the full is a no-ball. For spin bowlers, the threshold is above shoulder height.
The penalty system is: - First beamer: No-ball called, free hit in LOIs, formal warning from the umpire - Second beamer: No-ball called, and the bowler is immediately removed from the attack for the remainder of the innings
The umpire also has discretion to remove a bowler after a first beamer if they consider it deliberate or extremely dangerous.
Key Points
- •Full toss above waist height for pace bowlers, above shoulder for spinners
- •First beamer results in warning, second removes bowler from attack
- •Umpire can remove bowler after first beamer if deemed deliberate
- •Free hit applies in limited-overs cricket
Notable Controversies
- •Multiple instances of bowlers accused of deliberately bowling beamers in heated matches
- •Shoaib Akhtar bowled several controversial beamers in his career
Related Rules
No-Ball Rules
A delivery is a no-ball if the bowler oversteps the crease, bowls a dangerous full toss, exceeds bouncer limits, or breaks other bowling laws. A no-ball awards one extra run and a free hit in limited-overs cricket.
Bouncer / Short-Pitched Bowling Rules
Limits on the number of short-pitched deliveries (bouncers) a bowler can bowl per over — 2 in Tests, 1 in ODIs/T20Is. Introduced after the Bodyline era led to safety concerns.