Bouncer in Cricket — Rules, Limits and Technique
What a bouncer is in cricket, the Law 21 rules on how many are allowed per over, when a bouncer becomes a no-ball, and the greatest bouncers in history.
A bouncer — also called a short-pitched delivery — is a ball bowled at high speed that is pitched short of a good length, rises sharply, and passes the batter at shoulder height or above. It is a legal and legitimate weapon in fast bowling, designed to unsettle batters and induce mistimed shots. Law 21.10 of the Laws of Cricket governs how many bouncers are permitted per over.
The Bouncer Limit Rule
In international cricket, the ICC playing conditions limit bouncers to two per over per batter in ODIs and T20Is. In Tests, there is no strict limit — umpires use their judgment under Law 21.10 to rule a delivery unfair if it is deemed persistent short-pitched bowling clearly designed to intimidate without genuine cricketing purpose. The first bouncer in an over is called a no-ball if it passes above the batter's head in the air. The umpire uses 'passing above the batter's head' as the threshold for an illegal short-pitched delivery.
When a Bouncer Becomes a No-Ball
Under ICC playing conditions for limited-overs cricket: if a short-pitched delivery (bouncer) passes above the batter's shoulder height in the normal batting position, it is called a wide or a no-ball (a 'beamer' above the waist on the full is a no-ball and a warning). Crucially, in T20s and ODIs, if a second bouncer in an over passes above shoulder height, it is a no-ball. The first bouncer above shoulder height is called a wide; the second is a no-ball with free hit.
Bodyline — The History of the Bouncer
The bouncer has a controversial history. In the 1932-33 Ashes, England captain Douglas Jardine employed 'leg theory' (Bodyline) — directing Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to bowl fast short-pitched deliveries at the body to a packed leg-side field, making it almost impossible for Australian batters (particularly Don Bradman) to score. The series sparked a diplomatic incident between England and Australia and led to the Laws being amended to restrict persistent intimidatory bowling.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bouncer the same as a beamer?
No. A bouncer pitches short and rises to shoulder/head height after bouncing. A beamer is a full-pitched delivery (no bounce) that arrives at the batter above waist height — always a no-ball and typically a warning or suspension.
Can a batter be given out hit wicket off a bouncer?
Yes — if the batter's attempt to dodge a bouncer causes them to hit the stumps and dislodge the bails, they are out hit wicket.
Can spin bowlers bowl bouncers?
Technically yes, but spinning deliveries don't generate the speed or trajectory to produce effective bouncers. The bouncer is almost exclusively a pace bowling weapon.