Cricket Bowling Action: Legal Actions, Throwing Controversy, and Biomechanics
A cricket bowling action must not 'throw' the ball — the elbow must not straighten excessively during the delivery. This guide explains what constitutes a legal action, the ICC's 15-degree elbow flex rule, famous throwing controversies, and how bowlers are tested for suspect actions.
A cricket bowler must deliver the ball with a round-arm or overarm action — the elbow cannot straighten beyond 15 degrees during the delivery stride. This distinguishes bowling from 'chucking' (throwing), which would give unfair pace and accuracy advantages. The 15-degree rule, adopted by the ICC in 2004, established an objective, scientifically measurable threshold for legality. Violations — a 'suspect action' — can result in the bowler being banned from bowling in international cricket until their action is corrected.
The 15-Degree Rule
Human elbows naturally flex and extend slightly during a bowling delivery — the question is how much. The ICC's biomechanics panel established that 15 degrees of elbow extension during the delivery swing is the maximum allowed before a delivery is considered a throw. Bowlers with very fast arms (especially pace bowlers generating 90mph+) naturally come close to this threshold, which is why the 15-degree standard was set rather than zero. Below 15 degrees: legal. Above 15 degrees: suspect and subject to reporting.
Famous Throwing Controversies
Throwing controversies have punctuated cricket history. Charlie Griffith (West Indies, 1960s) was accused of throwing his bouncer. Ian Meckiff (Australia, 1963) was called for throwing mid-Test match and effectively retired. Brett Lee's action was tested and cleared. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, and Sachitra Senanayake have all faced ICC action for suspect actions in the modern era — resulting in remodelling or temporary bans from bowling.
The Testing Process
When an umpire or match referee reports a suspect bowling action, the player is subject to ICC-accredited biomechanical testing within 14 days. Testing uses high-speed cameras and motion-capture technology to measure elbow extension across multiple deliveries of all types. If the bowler's elbow extends more than 15 degrees, they are suspended from bowling in international cricket. They may continue to play as a batsman and can return to bowling once they demonstrate a corrected legal action through further testing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rule against throwing in cricket?
Under ICC regulations, a bowler's elbow cannot extend (straighten) more than 15 degrees during the delivery swing. Exceeding this limit constitutes a throw — an illegal delivery. Bowlers reported for suspect actions undergo biomechanical testing; if found illegal, they are suspended from bowling.
What is the 15-degree rule in cricket?
The ICC's 15-degree rule allows bowlers' elbows to flex up to 15 degrees during delivery — this accommodates natural arm movement during fast bowling without classifying it as a throw. Below 15 degrees is legal; above 15 degrees is classified as throwing and is illegal.
Was Muralitharan's action legal?
Yes. Biomechanical testing repeatedly confirmed that Muttiah Muralitharan's elbow extension was within legal limits — despite looking unusual due to a congenital condition that gave him a naturally bent arm. He was reported but never officially suspended, and is considered to have bowled legally throughout his career.