As you are already aware, cricket is essentially a contest between bat and ball. The entire playing group on the field must be in the right spirit while playing the game.
But then, there are times when players resort to unfair methods in order to dominate their opponents. An example of this can be seen when bowlers, due to their inability to dismiss batters, resort to bowling beamers targeting the batter directly instead.
To start, what is a beamer delivery? And what are the repercussions for a bowler who delivers a beamer?
Let’s have a look at the beamer delivery rules first.
Dangerous Beamer
Picture a situation where a bowler is running in fast with the ball in his hand. He releases a delivery that travels above your waist at a fast speed without touching the ground.
This could very well be a frightening experience for you and could put you in a vulnerable position. This type of delivery is classified as a beamer and is also called a dangerous delivery.
Read Also:- What is a Maiden Ton in Cricket?
The Dangerous Delivery
Now the question arises, what makes a beamer a dangerous delivery?
The beamer can literally put the life of the batter at risk in the form of injuries. A beamer hitting the upper body or head of the batter, God forbid, can alter the player’s career path.
The very same is the main reason the delivery is called dangerous. Also, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has included the bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries under ‘Law 41: Bowlers’ (no-balls) as a way to discourage the practice of this harmful delivery.
Thus, a beamer is an illegal delivery, and the field umpires will impose a penalty on the bowler, whether it is done on purpose or accidentally.
Consequences of Bowling a Beamer Delivery
The penalty for bowling a beamer is categorised as follows:
1st Beamer: If a bowler bowls such a dangerous delivery for the first time, then the umpire shall signal it as a no ball. Moreover, the umpire shall give the first and final warning to the bowler to not bowl such a delivery again in the match.
2nd Beamer: If the same bowler bowls another waist-high delivery, then the umpire shall again signal it as a no ball. And the bowler shall also be suspended from bowling further in the match.
So, a bowler is only allowed to bowl one beamer, and if they bowl another one, then they are prevented from bowling in the remaining match with immediate effect.
