A bouncer is a typical short-pitched delivery designed to push the batters on the back foot and keep them inside their crease. According to the latest regulations of the game, a bowler’s ability to bowl bouncers in an over is dictated by the bouncer no ball rules in cricket. This no ball bouncer rule varies in accordance with the format of the game and defines exactly how many bouncers a bowler might be allowed to bowl in an over.
If at any stage during the over, the bouncer count under the bouncer no ball rules in cricket is exceeded, the fielding team is slapped with a penalty of a no ball. So this indeed begs the question. Is second bouncer a no ball in cricket? And how does the 2nd bouncer rule in cricket apply uniformly across all formats? In this cricket rules and regulations guide, we will explore all types of bouncer no ball rules in cricket and understand what happens when a fast bowler exceeds his/her quota of bowling short-pitched bouncers in an over.
Table of Contents
Bouncer No Ball Rules in Cricket: Subtle Differences Between a Bouncer & Short-Pitched Delivery
Any delivery that causes the batter to play the ball on the back foot is deemed a short-pitched delivery, regardless of how high the cricket ball might have passed. Whereas a bouncer is typically bowled above the shoulder height of a batter standing upright at the popping crease. It is imperative to note that for any short-pitched delivery to be considered a bouncer, the cricket ball must have passed above the shoulder height of a batter. This further takes into account any possible deliveries that might have gone above a batter’s head, which is traditionally accompanied by the call of a wide. In other words, all bouncers are technically short-pitched deliveries, but not all short-pitched deliveries are considered bouncers.
Key Differences Table: Bouncer vs Short-Pitched Delivery
| Feature | Bouncer | Short-Pitched Delivery |
| Height at Batter | Above shoulder to head height (or higher). | Knee, waist, or chest height. |
| Pitch Position | Usually halfway or less down the wicket. | Generally back of a good length to halfway down. |
| Restrictions (If any) | 2nd bounce no ball rule applies | No restrictions |
Bouncer No Ball Rules in Cricket: All Formats
| Format | Bouncers Allowed (In an Over) | 2nd Bounce No Ball Rule Valid? | What Follows After The 2nd Bounce No Ball Rule? |
| Test | 2 | No | No ball |
| ODI | 2 | No | No ball + Free-hit |
| T20I | 1 | Yes | No ball + Free-hit |
There are presently three main types of bouncer no ball rules in cricket, split across three main formats – Test, ODI, and T20I.
Test: In Test cricket, a fast bowler is allowed 2 bouncers above shoulder height. When the first bouncer is bowled, the umpire signals one bounce for the over by tapping his/her opposite shoulder with their primary arm. The signal is repeated again in the event of a second bouncer, and the bowler is cautioned politely after reaching the bouncer threshold under the 2nd bounce no ball rule. But as soon as the limit is breached, the bowling team is liable to be penalized under the bouncer no ball rules in cricket. The no ball bouncer rule only kicks in when more than 2 bouncers are bowled in an over.
ODI: In ODIs, a fast bowler is also allowed the same number of bouncers (2) in an over as in Test cricket. The umpire usually taps the opposite shoulder with one arm when the first bouncer is bowled. The process stays the same in the event of a second bouncer in an over, followed by a friendly caution. If at any point in an over, this threshold is breached under the no ball bouncer rule, the fielding team is slapped by a no ball offence. Unlike Tests, a free-hit delivery follows, which further adds to the woes of the fielding side. The 2nd bouncer rule in cricket does not apply as the bowler is permitted to bowl a maximum of two bouncers above shoulder height.
T20I: This is where the 2nd bounce no ball rule comes into picture. In T20s, the bouncer no ball rules in cricket apply a little differently compared to the other two formats. A bowler can only bowl 1 bouncer in an over. Bowling a second bouncer above shoulder height inadvertently results in the 2nd bounce no ball rule. Under the second bouncer rule, the bowler gets penalized for a no ball if the bouncer count exceeds 1. Similar to the ODI format, the 2nd bouncer rule in cricket is followed by a free-hit.
Bouncer No Ball Rules in Cricket: What Happens If A Bowler Does Not Stop Bowling Bouncers?
The bouncer no ball rules in cricket are designed in such a way that they prevent the bowlers from bowling an unlimited amount of short-pitched deliveries in an over. Under the ICC Playing Conditions, clause 41.6.1 states that a bowler is limited to 2 bouncers in ODI and Tests and just one bouncer in T20s.
If the bouncer count exceeds, the umpire signals a no ball. But should the bowler go on an unlimited bouncer spree, the playing conditions guide an umpire to do the following
41.6.1.1. The umpire shall call and signal No ball, and when the ball is dead, caution the bowler and inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
Clause 41.6 (Unfair Play)
41.6.1.2. If there is a second instance, the umpire shall repeat the above procedure and indicate to the bowler that this is a final warning, which shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
41.6.1.3. Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall:
a) Call and signal No ball
b) Direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling
c) Inform the other umpire for the reason. The bowler is not allowed to bowl again in that match.
Points a, b, and c under clause 46.6.1.3 make it very clear that repeated offences under the bouncer no ball rules in cricket would compel the umpire to debar a bowler from bowling again in the match. A maximum of two warnings is issued to a bowler after the second bouncer in an over is bowled, before he/she gets taken out of the attack.
FAQ on Bouncer No Ball Rules in Cricket
What is a bouncer?
A bouncer is any short-pitched delivery that is deemed to have passed above the shoulder height of a batter standing upright at the popping crease.
Difference between a bouncer and a short-pitched delivery?
A bouncer usually passes above the shoulder height of a batter, whereas a short-pitched delivery constitutes any cricket ball (regardless of height) that causes the batter to play the ball off the back foot.
How many bouncer no ball rules exist?
The bouncer no ball rules vary according to the format of the game. At present, there are 3 main types of no ball rules in cricket.
How many bouncers are allowed in an over?
A bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 bouncers per over in tests and ODIs, whereas only a maximum of one bouncer is allowed in the T20s.
Is second bouncer a no ball?
Bowling a second bouncer is not considered a no ball in Tests and ODIs. However, in T20s, the second bouncer rule kicks in as the bowler is only allowed one bouncer, which in turn leads to a no ball.
What is the 2nd bouncer rule in cricket all about?
Under the 2nd bounce no ball rule in cricket, a bowler can get penalized for bowling more than one bouncer in an over. This application of the second bouncer rule can be seen in T20 cricket.
Closing Thoughts on Bouncer No Ball Rules in Cricket
There are primarily three main types of bouncer no ball rules in cricket that apply based on the format of the game. Any cricket ball that is deemed to have passed above the shoulder height of a batter constitutes a bouncer. Only two bouncers are allowed in the Tests & ODIs, while T20 cricket only permits one bouncer in an over. Once the threshold under the bouncer no ball rules in cricket is breached, the fielding team is liable to be punished by a no ball, followed by a free-hit in case of a limited-overs format. The application of the 2nd bounce no ball rule only occurs in the T20I format, where a bowler is allowed no more than one bouncer in an over.
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