Bowling (cricket)

In the sport of cricket, bowling is the action of propelling the ball towards the batsman. A player skilled at bowling is called a bowler.

The bowling action

Bowling the ball is distinguished from simply throwing the ball by a strictly specified biomechanical definition.

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Originally, this definition said that the elbow joint must not straighten out during the bowling action. Bowlers generally hold their elbows fully extended and rotate the arm vertically about the shoulder joint to impart velocity to the ball, releasing it near the top of the arc. Flexing at the elbow was allowed, but any extension of the elbow was deemed to be a throw and would be liable to be called a no ball.

Related Topics:
Flexing - Extension

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In 2005, this definition was deemed to be physically impossible, following biomechanical studies that showed that all bowlers extend their elbows somewhat throughout the bowling action. A guideline was introduced to allow extensions or hyperextensions of up to 15 degrees before deeming the ball illegally thrown.

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These definitions rule out the normal throwing action that most people naturally use when throwing a ball, as the elbow clearly straightens from an almost fully bent position during such a throw.

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