The Beamer in Cricket: Law, Danger, and Umpire Response
What a beamer is in cricket, why it is illegal, what action the umpire takes, and notable beamer incidents in cricket history.
A beamer is a full-pitched delivery (not a bouncer) that reaches the batter at or above waist height without bouncing — a ball that 'beams' straight at the batter's body or head at full pace. It is one of cricket's most dangerous deliveries and is illegal under the Laws.
Why Beamers Are Illegal
A beamer is inherently dangerous: it arrives at full pace at head or body height with no bounce warning. Unlike a bouncer (which rises from a short-pitched delivery and a batter can see and evade), a beamer comes from a full-length delivery position — the batter expects it to arrive at the feet. The pace and trajectory combination makes a beamer far more likely to cause injury.
The Law Response
Under Law 41.7 of the Laws of Cricket: a full-pitched delivery reaching the batter above waist height (or above shoulder height for slower balls) is called a no-ball AND a warning is issued. On a second beamer from the same bowler, the umpire immediately removes the bowler from bowling — they cannot bowl again in that innings. All beamers are automatically no-balls, regardless of intent.
Intent vs Accident
Beamers can be deliberate (aimed at intimidating a batter) or accidental (the ball slips from the bowler's hand at the delivery point). Umpires must issue the warning regardless of intent — the Law protects the batter without requiring proof of deliberate action. Repeated beamers from the same bowler suggest either poor control or deliberate intimidation, both of which result in removal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a beamer in cricket?
A beamer is a full-pitched delivery that reaches the batter at or above waist height without bouncing — a dangerous ball that bypasses the normal bounce warning. It is illegal in cricket, called as a no-ball, and the bowler receives a warning on their first beamer; a second results in the bowler being banned from bowling for the remainder of the innings.
Is a beamer always a no-ball?
Yes — under Law 41.7, any beamer (a full-pitched ball reaching the batter above waist height) is automatically a no-ball. The umpire calls no-ball simultaneously with or immediately after the delivery. This applies regardless of whether the bowler intended to bowl the beamer.
What happens if a bowler bowls two beamers?
On the second beamer by the same bowler, the umpire removes the bowler from bowling for the remainder of the innings — they cannot bowl again in that innings. The on-field umpire makes this decision immediately, without needing the captain's agreement.