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Underarm bowling

Underarm bowling is the earliest form of delivering the ball in cricket, in which the bowler propels it with the arm remaining below waist height, typically from a position near the armpit or lower.^[1] This technique, though now often perceived as rudimentary, allowed early practitioners to generate both pace and spin, as demonstrated by bowlers like David Harris in the 1780s who achieved notable velocity for the Hambledon club.^[1] In the nascent stages of cricket during the 18th and early 19th centuries, underarm bowling was the exclusive method, suited to the era's uneven pitches where batsmen frequently dominated proceedings.^[2] However, as the sport professionalized, limitations in speed and bounce prompted innovations; by around 1800, round-arm bowling—delivering with the arm at shoulder height—emerged naturally but faced resistance from traditionalists.^[2]^[3] Key controversies marked this shift, including John Willes being no-balled in 1822 for round-arm attempts, leading to temporary bans until partial legalization up to elbow height in 1828 and full permission in 1835.^[2] The progression continued with over-arm bowling, which became widespread despite initial illegality; a pivotal incident occurred in 1862 when Edgar Willsher was no-balled six times at The Oval for over-arm deliveries, prompting his team to walk off in protest.^[2] The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) formalized over-arm as legal in 1864, rendering underarm obsolete in standard play by the time Test cricket began in 1877.^[3] Under the modern Laws of Cricket governed by the MCC and International Cricket Council (ICC), underarm bowling is prohibited except by prior agreement between captains; any unagreed use constitutes a no-ball, with escalating penalties including warnings and suspension for repeat offenses.^[4] Underarm bowling gained renewed notoriety in 1981 during the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl an underarm delivery along the ground on the final ball against New Zealand, with New Zealand needing six runs to tie the match, preventing a potential tie.^[5] The act drew widespread condemnation for undermining the game's spirit, prompting boos from the crowd, criticism from New Zealand's prime minister, and immediate media backlash.^[5] In response, the ICC amended the laws to explicitly ban underarm deliveries in limited-overs international cricket, reinforcing that they contravene fair play principles.^[5]

Definition and Technique

Bowling Action

Underarm bowling in cricket is executed by delivering the ball with the bowler's arm positioned below the horizontal level—typically with the hand below the waist—at the point of release, resulting in the ball being propelled from a low height close to the ground. This underhand motion distinguishes it from other styles. Under the Laws of Cricket, underarm bowling requires prior agreement between teams and is otherwise prohibited in standard play; when permitted, it must constitute a fair delivery (not thrown).^[6] Bowlers employ variations in grip to control the ball's behavior, such as the standard seam grip for straight, predictable paths or a palm-under hold with wrist adjustments—thumb extended outward or reversed—to generate spin through a subtle finger flick. The run-up is generally minimal, often consisting of no more than a few short steps or delivery from a stationary position, which limits speed but enhances precision by allowing the bowler to focus on alignment and release timing.^[7] The resulting ball trajectory emphasizes low flight, with the delivery either rolling directly along the pitch, skidding forward with little initial bounce, or pitching early to create unpredictable low rebounds, all while potential spin alters its deviation upon contact with the surface. This mechanics-based approach offers advantages in superior control and reduced velocity, ideal for novice players learning fundamentals or for strategic scenarios where slowing the game's tempo disrupts batting rhythm.^[7]^[8] In 18th-century cricket, specific delivery types exemplified these traits, such as the "roll," where the ball was propelled smoothly across the ground without pitching, and the "skip" or skimmed variant, which produced a series of low, rapid bounces to challenge early batsmen. Around 1775, innovators like Richard Nyren, Edward "Lumpy" Stevens, and David Harris refined the underarm length ball, pitching it consistently at about four and a half yards before the wicket to replace cruder rolled styles and introduce tactical depth.^[7]

Comparison to Other Styles

Underarm bowling, characterized by a release point below the waist, fundamentally differs from roundarm and overarm styles in its mechanics, which prioritize a pendulum-like swing of the arm rather than elevation for propulsion.^[2] Roundarm bowling, prevalent before 1864, involved releasing the ball at or below elbow height, allowing for greater arm extension and initial pace compared to underarm, while overarm bowling, standardized post-1864, features an above-shoulder release that maximizes leverage and trajectory control.^[2] These variations stem from historical rule constraints that limited hand height to prevent unfair advantages, with underarm enforcing a grounded, rolling delivery akin to early 18th-century practices.^[2] Strategically, underarm bowling emphasized precision and spin over velocity, often slowing the game's pace to target run accumulation rather than dismissals, in contrast to overarm's focus on generating speed and variable bounce to deceive batsmen.^[2] Roundarm served as a transitional style, offering moderate pace and improved accuracy that bridged underarm's limitations and overarm's aggression, enabling bowlers to exploit pitch conditions more effectively.^[2] This shift allowed overarm practitioners to prioritize wicket-taking through seam movement and lift, transforming bowling from a supportive role to a dominant offensive element.^[2] The impact on batting was profound, as underarm deliveries, being slower and lower in trajectory, posed less difficulty for batsmen, facilitating easier shot-making and higher scoring rates in early cricket, particularly on uneven pitches.^[2] Overarm styles, conversely, introduced sharper bounce and pace, compelling batsmen to adopt defensive techniques and reducing scoring fluidity, which balanced the game's dynamics.^[2] Roundarm partially mitigated underarm's batsman favoritism by adding unpredictability, though it still lagged behind overarm in challenging strokeplay.^[2]

Bowling Style	Approximate Speed	Bounce Height	Wicket-Taking Potential
Underarm	Low (moderate pace, spin-focused)	Low (ground-level trajectory)	Low (batsman-dominant)
Roundarm	Medium (improved propulsion)	Medium (added lift)	Medium (transitional effectiveness)
Overarm	High (leveraged velocity)	High (variable and sharp)	High (deceptive and aggressive)

Historical Development

Origins and Early Use

Underarm bowling emerged as the foundational delivery style in cricket during its formative years in England, tracing its roots to informal games played in the 16th and early 17th centuries.^[2] Initially, the ball was rolled or skimmed along the ground, much like in the game of bowls, with the bowler imparting minimal flight to target the rudimentary wickets.^[7] This method drew significant influence from earlier English pastimes such as stoolball, a striking and fielding game popular in Sussex from at least the 15th century, where players delivered the ball underarm to dislodge a stool or target, emphasizing accuracy over pace.^[9] Prior to the 1730s, deliveries were typically rolled directly along the uneven turf using a hockey-stick-like bat era, reflecting the sport's evolution from rural, low-skill ball games into a more structured activity.^[7] A pivotal advancement occurred in the 1760s when bowlers began experimenting with pitched deliveries while retaining the underarm action, introducing greater flight and the potential for spin. Edward "Lumpy" Stevens, a prominent Surrey bowler active from the 1760s onward, is credited with pioneering this shift by consistently pitching the ball on a good length after giving it air, allowing it to deviate off the pitch and challenge batsmen more effectively.^[10] This innovation marked a departure from the predominant skimming style of the 1730s to mid-1770s, where the ball bounced multiple times before reaching the batsman, and instead enabled controlled variation in pace and direction underarm.^[7] Stevens' techniques, honed on sloping grounds that amplified turn and shooters, exemplified how underarm bowling could evolve to balance the game's dynamics without altering the arm position.^[10] Formal codification of cricket's rules in the 1774 Hambledon Code provided the first standardized framework, though no explicit mention of underarm delivery was made, implicitly establishing it as the default by specifying only that the bowler must deliver with one foot behind the bowling crease and bowl four balls per over.^[11] Prior to this code, matches operated under ad hoc agreements among clubs like Hambledon, with underarm as the unchallenged norm since the sport's documented beginnings in the late 16th century.^[12] Throughout the 18th century, underarm bowling remained the exclusive style in first-class cricket, employed by all notable practitioners from Hambledon's Thomas Brett to Surrey's Stevens, dominating matches until the early 19th century when batsman dominance prompted further evolution.^[7] The practicality of underarm bowling suited the era's conditions, including rough and uneven pitches that were often merely mown rather than rolled flat, which favored low-trajectory deliveries to avoid unpredictable bounces.^[2] With batsmen lacking protective gear like pads or gloves, the style's relative safety and control made it ideal for amateur and village play, where precision in targeting the stumps outweighed raw speed.^[7] This alignment with the social and infrastructural limitations of 18th-century cricket ensured underarm's widespread adoption across England's growing club scene.^[2]

Transition to Other Styles

In the 1820s and 1830s, underarm bowling faced increasing challenges as bowlers experimented with roundarm actions to achieve greater pace and bounce, sparking heated controversies within the cricket community. John Willes, a prominent advocate for roundarm bowling, was notably no-balled during a 1822 match between Kent and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord's for delivering with his arm above waist height, prompting him to storm off the field in protest.^[2] This incident, following an 1816 MCC law explicitly banning roundarm deliveries, ignited ongoing debates at the MCC about evolving the game's balance between bat and ball, with bowlers arguing that underarm limited their ability to challenge skilled batsmen.^[1] In response to persistent umpiring inconsistencies, the MCC introduced a partial legalization in 1828, allowing deliveries up to elbow height. By 1835, the MCC relented further to the growing adoption of roundarm techniques, amending the Laws of Cricket to permit the bowler's hand to be raised to shoulder height but not above the horizontal at delivery. This rule change, driven by trial matches and pressure from influential bowlers like William Lillywhite, significantly diminished underarm's prevalence in competitive play, as roundarm offered superior speed and trajectory control.^[2] The transition accelerated further in the mid-19th century, culminating in the 1864 MCC legalization of overarm bowling, which allowed the full arm swing without height restrictions provided the elbow remained straight and no throwing occurred. This followed controversies like Edgar Willsher's 1862 no-balling for overarm at The Oval, where his team briefly walked off in defiance, highlighting the sport's internal tensions. Overarm quickly rendered underarm obsolete in professional cricket by enabling even greater velocity and variation.^[1] Underarm persisted occasionally into the 1880s, particularly among slower bowlers employing lob variations for tactical deception on certain pitches, though it was largely confined to lower levels or specific scenarios by then.^[8] The shift was propelled by bowlers' need for higher bounce and speed to counter improving batsmanship and the trend toward flatter, more prepared pitches that favored aggressive scoring.^[2]

Lob Bowling

Characteristics

Lob bowling, a variant of underarm bowling in cricket, is characterized by its high arc trajectory, where the ball is delivered with an underarm action but looped significantly into the air, often reaching heights of over 20 feet to create a deceptive drop upon pitching.^[13] This elevated flight path contrasts with the flatter deliveries typical of standard underarm bowling, aiming to exploit the ball's unpredictable bounce and hang time, which can confuse batsmen expecting lower trajectories.^[14] The grip and release in lob bowling emphasize spin variation through a palm-up orientation, with the wrist flicked to impart topspin, sidespin, or backspin for added deception. For instance, an off-break is achieved by rolling the ball off the thumb with the forefinger crooked along the seam, while a leg-break involves spreading the fingers with the third finger along the seam and a sharp wrist cock at release.^[13]^[14] This technique allows for greater spin control compared to conventional underarm styles, as the underarm motion facilitates precise finger and wrist adjustments without the constraints of overhead actions.^[8] Tactically, lob bowling serves to disrupt aggressive batsmen by forcing errors through the ball's looping path and variable spin, making it particularly effective on expansive grounds where fielders can cover deep positions for potential catches.^[13] The slower pace, often described as twisty and measured to enhance the arc, typically ranges below fast bowling speeds, prioritizing flight deception over velocity and allowing time for field rearrangements.^[14] Although classified under underarm bowling due to the delivery method below the shoulder, its distinct high trajectory and time-intensive nature have rendered it rare in modern play, as it prolongs the game's tempo.^[8]

Notable Practitioners

One of the pioneering figures in the use of lob bowling in county cricket was Digby Jephson, an amateur all-rounder who played for Cambridge University and Surrey between 1890 and 1904.^[15] Jephson, known for his distinctive underarm lobs that often deceived batsmen into mistimed shots or stumpings, took all ten wickets in an innings on two occasions with this style, including notable performances in club matches.^[15] Over his first-class career spanning 207 matches, he claimed 297 wickets at an average of 25.10, with his best figures of 7 for 51 coming against Yorkshire in 1899, demonstrating the technique's potential in competitive settings before its widespread decline.^[16] Another highly successful lob bowler was Walter Humphreys, who played for Sussex from 1888 to 1908 and took 873 first-class wickets at an average of 24.32, including a remarkable 150 wickets in the 1893 season.^[8] Perhaps the most prominent and successful lob bowler in the pre-World War I era was George Simpson-Hayward, who represented Worcestershire and England from 1895 to 1914.^[17] Unlike traditional lob bowlers who relied heavily on flight, Simpson-Hayward imparted sharp off-spin with his underarm "donkey drops," making the ball break awkwardly and contributing to his effectiveness on varied pitches.^[8] In first-class cricket, he took 503 wickets across 200 matches at an average of 21.39, including two five-wicket hauls in Tests.^[18] He remains the last lob bowler to feature in Test cricket, appearing in five matches during the 1910-11 tour of South Africa where he captured 23 wickets at 18.26, with best figures of 6 for 43.^[19] The viability of lob bowling, as exemplified by these practitioners, waned sharply by the 1920s due to the increasing emphasis on faster-paced play and overarm dominance, rendering the style obsolete in professional cricket after World War I.^[8]

Legality and Rules

Current Laws

Under the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket, specifically the 2017 Code (3rd Edition, 2022), underarm bowling is governed by Law 21.1.2, which states that it shall not be permitted in international matches and most professional cricket unless there is prior special agreement before the match.^[4]^[20] If a bowler delivers the ball underarm without such prior agreement, the umpire at the bowler's end must immediately call and signal "No ball," resulting in a one-run penalty awarded to the batting side, with the delivery not counting toward the over. On the first instance, the umpire shall also issue a first and final warning to the bowler for the innings (Law 21.3.1). On any subsequent instance, the umpire shall call and signal "No ball" and direct the captain to suspend the bowler from bowling for the remainder of the innings (Law 21.3.2). Additionally, under Law 21.7, if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the popping crease, it constitutes a further no-ball, enhancing the penalty in cases where the underarm delivery rolls or bounces excessively.^[4]^[20] Exceptions to this prohibition exist in non-professional contexts, such as junior cricket programs and net practice sessions, where underarm bowling may be permitted to prioritize player safety and skill development without formal umpiring.^[21] Enforcement varies by context: in informal or recreational settings, umpires exercise discretion, often overlooking underarm deliveries to maintain game flow, whereas in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and other elite formats, adherence is strictly monitored to uphold competitive integrity.^[4]^[20] The 2017 Code introduced clarifications emphasizing the spirit of cricket and fair play, particularly in delivery modes, but no substantive changes to underarm bowling rules have occurred through the 2022 edition or subsequent updates as of 2025.^[22]^[23]

Historical Rule Changes

The earliest formal codification of cricket rules, known as the 1774 Hambledon Code drafted by the Hambledon Club, implicitly established underarm bowling as the standard delivery method, with no specified height restrictions on the bowler's arm.^[7]^[11] This code focused on aspects like the bowling crease and stump dimensions but assumed underarm action as the norm, reflecting the game's 18th-century practice where deliveries were either rolled or skimmed along the ground.^[24] In 1816, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) issued a clarification that formalized underarm bowling by stipulating the bowler's hand must remain below the level of the elbow at the point of release, effectively prohibiting emerging roundarm styles and reinforcing underarm as the legal baseline.^[2]^[24] This rule aimed to preserve the integrity of the delivery amid growing experimentation, though enforcement varied in matches.^[2] The legalization of roundarm bowling in 1835 marked a pivotal shift, as the MCC amended Law 10 to permit the hand to be raised as high as the shoulder, indirectly demoting underarm by accommodating higher trajectories that offered greater pace and variation.^[25]^[2] Bowlers increasingly adopted roundarm for its advantages, reducing underarm to niche use despite its prior dominance.^[25] By 1864, the MCC further evolved the laws to allow overarm bowling without height limits, provided the arm remained straight and the ball was not thrown, completing the transition away from underarm as the primary style while retaining it for specialized lobs or exceptional circumstances.^[2] This change, prompted by incidents like the 1862 no-balling of bowler Edgar Willsher, solidified overarm as standard, with underarm persisting only in limited contexts.^[2] In the 20th century, the 1947 revision of the Laws of Cricket under MCC custodianship introduced regulations requiring bowlers to declare their intent to use underarm delivery in advance, thereby restricting unauthorized underarm bowling to maintain fairness and prevent surprise tactics.^[26] This codification emphasized transparency, as Law 26 entitled the batter to prior knowledge of the bowling style.^[26] The 2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket, promulgated by the MCC, further curtailed underarm bowling by deeming it illegal unless both captains agreed to its use before the match, effectively relegating it to consensual or informal scenarios.^[4]^[27] This provision, under Law 24.1 (now Law 21.1), underscored the style's diminished role in competitive play while preserving flexibility for non-standard games.^[4]

Notable Incidents

1981 Underarm Delivery

The 1981 underarm delivery occurred during the third final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, a best-of-five one-day international series between Australia and New Zealand, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 1, 1981.^[5] Australia, captained by Greg Chappell, had scored 235 for 4 in their 50 overs, setting New Zealand a target of 236 to win or 235 to tie.^[28] New Zealand needed 15 runs from the final over bowled by Trevor Chappell; after scoring 8 runs and losing two wickets in the first five balls, they were 229 for 8, needing 6 runs from the last ball to force a tie, with Brian McKechnie on strike.^[29] With the match hanging in the balance, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his younger brother Trevor, the bowler, to deliver the final ball underarm along the ground, rolling it like a lawn bowl to prevent McKechnie from attempting a six.^[5] McKechnie patted the ball away, scoring no run and ending New Zealand's innings at 229/8, 6 runs short of a tie and securing victory for Australia.^[28] Although underarm bowling was legal under the Laws of Cricket at the time, the tactic was seen as unsportsmanlike, as it eliminated any chance of a legitimate boundary.^[29] The delivery sparked immediate outrage on the field and in the stands, with the MCG crowd booing loudly and McKechnie throwing his bat to the ground in frustration.^[5] New Zealand players protested to the umpires, who ruled the delivery fair, while commentator Richie Benaud described it as "one of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field."^[29] Global media coverage amplified the uproar, focusing on questions of sportsmanship; New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon labeled it "the most disgusting incident in anything I have seen in sport," calling it an act of "true cowardice," and former Australian cricketer Keith Miller declared, "Yesterday one-day cricket died, and Greg Chappell should be buried with it."^[5] In the aftermath, Trevor Chappell faced severe personal repercussions, including death threats that forced him to alter his routine for safety, while Greg Chappell endured widespread abuse, including a young girl accusing him of cheating during a public appearance.^[5] The International Cricket Conference (ICC) responded by convening discussions on the Laws of Cricket, ultimately amending them to prohibit underarm bowling in limited-overs internationals on the grounds that it was not within the spirit of the game, though no immediate ban was imposed on the players involved.^[5] The incident highlighted the need for clearer international agreements on bowling actions, prompting ongoing debates about ethics in competitive cricket. The 1981 underarm delivery has endured as an iconic moment in cricket history, symbolizing the tension between winning and fair play, and it continues to be referenced in discussions of rule updates and Australia-New Zealand rivalries.^[29] Greg Chappell later reflected that the controversy exceeded his expectations, stating, "This might be a bit bigger than I’d even imagined," underscoring its lasting impact on the sport's ethical landscape.^[29]

Other Instances

In 1960, during the first Test match between England and South Africa at Edgbaston, South African fast bowler Geoff Griffin became the first bowler in Test history to take a hat-trick, but his over was marred by repeated no-balls for throwing. Advised by captain Jack McGlew to switch styles, Griffin bowled the remaining three deliveries underarm along the ground, only to be no-balled again by umpire Frank Lee for failing to notify him of the change in action. This incident highlighted the technical legality of underarm bowling while underscoring its rarity and potential for umpire oversight in high-stakes professional play.^[30]^[31] A rare semi-professional use occurred in 1990 when Australian Philip Gerrans, playing for Oxford University, employed underarm medium-pace bowling during matches, but was no-balled for not informing the umpire of the change in action, sparking minor discussion on adherence to notification rules, with no formal ban resulting.^[32] In professional cricket, underarm deliveries have occasionally appeared in light-hearted contexts, such as the inaugural T20 International in 2005 between Australia and New Zealand, where Glenn McGrath bowled an underarm ball to New Zealand's Kyle Mills, prompting umpire Billy Bowden to jokingly issue the first red card in international cricket as a nod to the 1981 controversy. This playful tactic, used when Australia needed just one run to win, emphasized the style's diminished competitive role amid ongoing stigma.^[33] Underarm bowling has seen sporadic tactical employment in lower-level club games, though these remain outliers without widespread adoption. Overall, the technique's use has declined sharply due to the enduring negative perception stemming from the 1981 incident, resulting in no major professional controversies post-1990 and its ban in limited-overs cricket following the 1981 incident, with England implementing the prohibition in 1979.^[34]

Contemporary Use

In Professional Cricket

In professional cricket, underarm bowling has been virtually absent since the 1981 incident, with no documented uses in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), or Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as of 2025. It is standard in blind cricket variants, including the 2025 T20 Women's Blind Cricket World Cup, and used in regional domestic leagues like Tulunad underarm cricket in India, where entire matches are played underarm by agreement.^[35]^[36]^[37] The International Cricket Council (ICC) responded to the controversy by amending the laws for limited-overs cricket, declaring underarm deliveries illegal in those formats on the grounds that they contravene the spirit of the game. This rarity stems from the medium's evolution toward faster, more dynamic bowling styles, where underarm tactics offer little competitive edge in high-stakes scenarios.^[5] Under the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 21.1.2, underarm bowling is permissible only if both captains agree prior to the match.^[20] In professional settings, this restricts it to pre-arranged exhibitions, warm-up games, or inconsequential "dead rubber" matches where competitive integrity is not at stake, such as certain domestic T20 leagues' novelty events. Even in shorter formats like T20, where it could theoretically disrupt aggressive batting and slow the run rate by limiting big hits, captains avoid it due to reputational risks and the potential for fan backlash, prioritizing the game's entertainment value over tactical novelty. The practice's limited role upholds the ICC's Code of Conduct, particularly the Preamble to the Laws emphasizing the spirit of cricket, which discourages actions perceived as unsportsmanlike. Post-2017 updates to the ICC Code reinforced this by strengthening sanctions for conduct breaching fair play principles, further entrenching underarm avoidance in professional play. Looking ahead, a revival seems improbable amid the dominance of pace and spin bowling, which better suits modern formats' demands for speed and variation.

In Recreational and Informal Games

Underarm bowling remains a staple in backyard and garden cricket, particularly among children and novice players, where it prioritizes safety and ease of participation by minimizing the speed and trajectory of deliveries, thereby reducing the risk of injury from fast-bowled balls.^[38] Programs like the ECB's All Stars Cricket initiative for ages 5-8 incorporate underarm techniques in throwing and introductory bowling to build confidence without overwhelming young participants.^[39] This approach allows beginners to focus on fundamental skills such as timing and hand-eye coordination in a low-pressure environment. In beach and street cricket variants, underarm deliveries—often rolled along the ground—are adapted to uneven surfaces like sand or pavement, shifting emphasis from competitive precision to communal enjoyment and accessibility for all ages. These informal games, common in urban areas, encourage rolled bowling to navigate obstacles and maintain play flow, fostering social bonds over formal scoring.^[40] Soft-ball leagues and school programs frequently permit underarm bowling under modified rules to enhance inclusivity, such as using softer balls and plastic bats to accommodate diverse abilities and lower barriers to entry. For instance, physical education curricula recommend underarm deliveries with soft equipment to promote participation among students with varying physical capabilities, ensuring the game remains engaging and safe.^[41] Australian school lesson plans integrate underarm techniques in early cricket sessions to develop competence progressively, aligning with national strategies for youth engagement.^[42] The advantages of underarm bowling in these settings include building core fundamentals like accuracy and strategy without the intimidation of faster styles, making it ideal for novices to gain experience. In developing nations, it persists in informal play, supporting grassroots participation where resources for formal training are limited.^[43] Culturally, underarm bowling endures in worldwide community matches and casual gatherings, remaining unaffected by professional-level restrictions as of 2025, as recreational rules prioritize flexibility and enjoyment over standardized legality.

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[33]
Geoff Griffin - The Telegraph
Nov 23, 2006 · Cruelly, when he switched to underarm in order to finish the over, he was no-balled by Lee for not informing him of his change of action.
[34]
[PDF] OXFORD UNIVERSITY CRICKETERS - E to K
1 match. Did not bat. 1 catch. 2 wkts @ 31.00, BB 2/25. No other first-class cricket. GERRANS, Philip Simon ... RHB, underarm bowler (medium pace). Oxford ...
[35]
Watch: 'The stage is made for Billy' – Bowden shows a red card for ...
Apr 11, 2023 · Umpire Billy Bowden jokingly show a red card to Glenn McGrath for trying to imitate the infamous underarm ball by Trevor Chappell in 1981.
[36]
Grim prophecy fulfilled - ESPNcricinfo
Feb 1, 2006 · In England, underarm bowling in limited-overs cricket was banned two years ago. Australia clinched the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup -- and ...
[37]
[PDF] MCC-LAWS-OF-CRICKET.pdf
LAW 21. NO BALL. There are several different reasons for a no ball ... Underarm bowling is not permitted unless match regulations allow or there is prior.
[38]
[PDF] Backyard Cricket Download
CRICKET: Younger kids. Terms: wicket-object the bowler is trying to hit. 1. 2. Adult tosses a tennis ball underarm, and child uses a small, light bat. 3. Can ...
[39]
ECB All Stars Programme - England and Wales Cricket Board
What will my child be doing? · Batting – hitting a moving ball · Throwing – underarm and overarm · Catching – small and large balls · Bowling – overarm · Running – ...Register Interest · Parents · FAQs · Dynamos Cricket (8 - 11 years)
[40]
World Cup has rules, so does Indian street cricket - Sportstar
Jun 16, 2019 · Here's a look at the rules that govern street cricket, gully cricket, backyard cricket, and many other variants.Missing: fun | Show results with:fun
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[PDF] Inclusion In Physical Education And School Sports - pdnet
• Cricket – bowling underarm and using a soft ball with a plastic bat, or using a larger ball placed on a tee, scoring by measuring the distance hit.
[42]
[PDF] Cricket lesson plans - Australian Sports Commission
The lesson plans aim to build students' confidence and competence to participate in cricket over the 8-week game-based program. As the activities become ...
[43]
[PDF] Why Cricket? - Youth Sport Trust
Bowling styles can be adapted to include underarm bowling or a teacher/leader bowl if necessary. • Games can be reduced to 4- ball overs. • Adapted versions ...