You know that moment, right? The roar of the crowd, the batsman ducking for cover, leather hits the glove, a bouncer flies past the batsman. Makes your heart jump a little, doesn’t it? It’s the sheer theatre of it all. The bouncer in cricket is a spectacle in itself. But how many bouncers are allowed in an over? What are the rules for this aggressive delivery? And how does it impact the game? Let’s explore the world of bouncers and the rules behind them.
What is a Bouncer in Cricket?
A bouncer is a short-pitched delivery that rises sharply towards the batsman’s head or shoulders. Bowlers use it to:
- Intimidate the batsman: Creating doubt and discomfort.
- Force errors: Causing mistimed shots and catches.
- Set up dismissals: Building pressure on the batsman.
- Break partnerships: Disrupting the batsman’s rhythm.
A bouncer is a very aggressive delivery and can sometimes lead to serious injuries to the batsman. Therefore, there are some clear rules for bouncers to maintain safety.
How many Bouncers are allowed in an over? The History Behind Rule for Bouncers
The laws regarding bouncers have changed over time to prevent injuries and misuse. In the early days, when there were no rules, bowlers would bowl a barrage of bouncers to intimidate the batsman and slow down the scoring rate. Protective gear, especially helmets, was limited, which left batsmen vulnerable to head injuries from bouncers.
Talks about bouncer rules began in 1986 after a nasty incident during an ODI match between England and West Indies. Malcolm Marshall bowled a brutal bouncer to Mike Gatting which hit Gatting right on the bridge of his nose. While preparing for his next delivery, Marshall even found a piece of Mike’s nose on the ball.
This became a turning point, and calls for bouncer regulations grew louder over the years.
Finally, in 1991, Cricket’s governing body, the ICC, announced ‘one bouncer per over per batsman’ rule. This rule was to restrict bowlers from intimidating the batsmen. Later in 1994, ICC changed the rule to two bouncers per over, meaning only two balls could go over the shoulders of the batsmen.
How many bouncers are allowed in an over in ODIs?
Initially, bowlers were allowed to bowl only one bouncer per over in ODIs. Bowlers were particularly unhappy with this, stating that cricket had become a batsman’s game. In 2012, the ICC revised the rule, allowing two bouncers per over in ODIs. Since then the rule has remained the same.
How many bouncers are allowed in an over in T20I?
With less overs to play and only 120 balls in total, batsmen are more aggressive in this format of cricket. This can make them less defensive and more vulnerable to bouncers. Therefore, ICC has allowed only one bouncer per over in T20 matches.
How many bouncers are allowed in an over in Tests?
The longest format of the game, which can last up to 5 days, permits bowlers to bowl a maximum of two bouncers per over. Batsmen are mostly defensive and can easily duck the bouncers as the scoring rate is comparably slower in test matches. Same rule is followed in First Class Cricket worldwide.
How many bouncers are allowed in an over in IPL?
IPL followed the same rule as T20s, which was one bouncer per over till 2023. However, last year, in 2024, two bouncers were allowed in each over. This was done to maintain a fair contest between ball and bat.
