Article
Bowling of dangerous and unfair short pitched deliveries
November 13, 2023
Laws of cricket vs playing conditions
Many umpires are in the habit of indicating the number of deliveries in an over that, after pitching, bounce up between the shoulders and top of the batsman's head while in an upright position, and will call a no ball if more than two are bowled in an over. This is not correct. This procedure is only performed under ICC international playing conditions. As this is not covered in the ATCA playing conditions (By Law's section D) then ATCA umpires should revert to the Laws of Cricket (see link below).
The relevant Law is;
41.6 Bowling of dangerous and unfair short pitched deliveries
41.6.1 The bowling of short pitched deliveries is dangerous if the bowler's end umpire considers that, taking into
consideration the skill of the striker, by their speed, length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on him/her. The fact that the striker is wearing protective equipment shall be disregarded.
41.6.2 The bowler's end umpire may consider that the bowling of short pitched deliveries, although not dangerous under 41.6.1, is unfair if they repeatedly pass above head height of
the striker standing upright at the crease. See also Law 21.10 (Ball bouncing over head height of striker).
41.6.3 As soon as the umpire decides that the bowling of short pitched deliveries has become dangerous under 41.6.1, or unfair under 41.6.2, he/she shall call and signal No ball.
When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first and final warning, and inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batters of what has occurred.
This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
41.6.4 Should there be any further such delivery by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall
- call and signal No ball
- when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling - inform the other umpire for the reason for this action. The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled any part of the previous over, nor be allowed to bowl any part of the next over.
- The umpire shall inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
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