| Rule/Aspect | Test Cricket | One Day Internationals (ODIs) | T20 Internationals (T20s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bouncers per Over | Unlimited, but must not be above head height (Law 21.10) | Maximum 2 bouncers per over allowed (ICC ODI Playing Conditions) | Maximum 1 bouncer per over allowed (ICC T20 Playing Conditions) |
| Short-Pitched Deliveries | Legal as long as below head height | 2 per over legal | 1 per over legal |
| Full Toss Height | Legal if below waist height | Legal if below waist height | Legal if below waist height |
| Front Foot Rule | Legal if some part of the foot lands behind popping crease | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Free Hit After No Ball | Not applicable in Tests | Yes, after every no-ball | Yes, after every no-ball |
| Bowling Variations | Any legal spin, seam, swing, cutters, yorkers, slower balls | Same as Tests | Same as Tests |
| Over Rate | No limit, 90 overs/day target | 50 overs limit | 20 overs limit |
| Powerplay Field Restrictions (Affecting Bowling Strategy) | None | First 10 overs: only 2 fielders outside 30-yard circle | First 6 overs: only 2 fielders outside 30-yard circle |
| Number of Overs Per Bowler | No restriction | Max 10 overs per bowler | Max 4 overs per bowler |
| Use of Bouncers to Attack | Common and legal | Controlled due to over restrictions | Highly limited (1 per over) |
| Umpire’s Call on Dangerous Bowling | Umpire may warn if repeated short balls are deemed dangerous (Law 41.6) | Same rule | Same rule |
👉 Summary Insight for Readers:
- Tests allow the most freedom for bowlers, especially with bouncers.
- ODIs add limits on bouncers and overs per bowler.
- T20s are the most restrictive, with just 1 bouncer per over and fewer overs per bowler.
⚡This table helps readers immediately understand how legal deliveries change format to format.
đźš« Illegal Deliveries by Format (Test, ODI, T20)
| Rule/Aspect | Test Cricket | One Day Internationals (ODIs) | T20 Internationals (T20s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Foot No-Ball | Illegal if front foot lands beyond popping crease (Law 21.5) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Back Foot No-Ball | Illegal if back foot touches return crease (Law 21.6) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| High Full Toss (Beamer) | Illegal if above waist height on full (Law 41.7) | Same rule | Same rule |
| Dangerous Short-Pitched Bowling | Illegal if above head height (Law 21.10, 41.6) | Illegal if more than 2 per over | Illegal if more than 1 per over |
| Excessive Bouncers | Umpire may warn, then call No-Ball | 3rd bouncer in an over = No-Ball | 2nd bouncer in an over = No-Ball |
| Throwing (Illegal Bowling Action) | Any elbow extension beyond 15° is illegal (ICC Rule) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Double Bounce Rule | Illegal if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the striker (Law 21.7) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Ball Pitching Outside the Pitch | Illegal if the ball lands outside the 22-yard pitch area (Law 21.8) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Delivering Before Batsman Ready | Illegal if batsman is not ready (Law 20.4.2.1) | Same rule applies | Same rule applies |
| Underarm Bowling | Illegal unless agreed before match begins (Law 21.1) | Illegal | Illegal |
| Penalty for No-Ball | 1 run penalty, re-bowl | 1 run penalty, re-bowl, Free Hit next ball | 1 run penalty, re-bowl, Free Hit next ball |
| Penalty for Wide | 1 run penalty, re-bowl | 1 run penalty, re-bowl | 1 run penalty, re-bowl |
âś… Quick Insight for Readers
- Tests: Illegal deliveries = No-Ball or Wide, but no free hits.
- ODIs: Stricter on bouncers + free hits after no-balls.
- T20s: Toughest on bowlers (only 1 bouncer allowed, every no-ball = free hit).
đź“Ś Case Studies on Illegal Deliveries in Cricket
1. Jasprit Bumrah’s No-Ball – Champions Trophy Final 2017
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a no-ball against Pakistan early in the innings. The ball dismissed Fakhar Zaman, but since it was a no-ball, the batsman survived. Zaman went on to score a match-winning century.
👉 Lesson: Even one illegal delivery can change the entire course of a big match.
2. Brett Lee’s Beamer Incident – 2005 Ashes
During the 2005 Ashes, Brett Lee accidentally bowled a head-high full toss (beamer) to Andrew Flintoff. The umpire immediately signaled a no-ball and gave a stern warning. While it wasn’t intentional, beamers are classified as dangerous deliveries under Law 41.7.
👉 Lesson: Safety is always prioritized over pace in cricket.
3. Andre Russell – Multiple Short Balls in T20
In a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match, Andre Russell exceeded the one bouncer per over rule in T20 cricket. The umpire called the second bouncer a no-ball, awarding a free hit to the batting side.
👉 Lesson: Limited-overs formats are stricter, and bowlers must carefully manage their short-ball strategy.
4. Murali’s Bowling Action Controversy
Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action was heavily debated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. After biomechanical testing, the ICC introduced the 15-degree elbow extension rule for defining legal actions. Murali was eventually cleared, but the case redefined how “throwing” was judged in cricket.
👉 Lesson: ICC laws evolve with technology to ensure fairness.
5. Steve Harmison’s Wide – 2006 Ashes First Ball
In the first Test of the 2006 Ashes, Steve Harmison bowled the opening ball of the series that went straight to second slip – a shocking wide. While not dangerous, it became one of the most famous wides in cricket history.
👉 Lesson: Even legal bowlers can deliver pressure-induced wides at the highest level.
⚡ These case studies show how illegal deliveries (no-balls, wides, beamers, or action-related) can drastically impact a game’s outcome.
