Summary
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.
Full Explanation
Short-pitched bowling has been one of cricket's most controversial aspects since the Bodyline series of 1932-33. The ICC has implemented restrictions over the decades:
In Test cricket, a bowler is limited to 2 bouncers per over. Any additional short-pitched delivery is called a no-ball.
In ODIs and T20Is, only 1 bouncer per over is permitted. The second short-pitched delivery in an over is called a no-ball.
A bouncer is defined as a delivery that passes or would have passed above shoulder height of the batsman standing upright at the crease. The umpire uses their judgment to determine whether a delivery qualifies.
The rules also distinguish between pace bowlers and slow bowlers — a slow bowler can bowl bouncers but is limited to 1 per over even in Tests. If a slow bowler bowls a bouncer that the umpire deems dangerous, it's called a no-ball.
The tragic death of Phillip Hughes in 2014, after being struck by a bouncer, led to renewed discussions about bouncer restrictions, though the rules remained unchanged.
Key Points
- •2 bouncers per over in Tests, 1 in ODIs/T20Is
- •Additional bouncers called as no-balls
- •Defined as a ball passing above shoulder height
- •Slow bowlers restricted to 1 per over in all formats
- •Bodyline series (1932-33) was the catalyst for bouncer restrictions
- •Rules reviewed after Phillip Hughes' death in 2014
Notable Controversies
- •Bodyline series 1932-33 — systematic use of bouncers as a weapon
- •Phillip Hughes death (2014) — bouncer struck him on the neck
- •Jofra Archer bouncer felling Steve Smith, 2019 Ashes
- •Wahab Riaz's hostile spell vs Watson, 2015 WC — pushed limits
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.
Beamer (Dangerous Full Toss)
A full toss above waist height is a no-ball. Two beamers in an innings and the bowler is removed from the attack.