Underarm bowling in cricket is a bowling technique where the bowler delivers the ball with a swinging arm below the waist. You can always visit the 1xBet India cricket website to make wagers on the best bowlers from the game.
This ensures the ball does not rise above the waist of the batsman. Historically, it was a common form of bowling in the early days of cricket in the 17th century, but it has become a rare and controversial method. This has been due to changes in cricket regulations and its perceived lack of sportsmanship.
Underarm bowling dates back to the early origins of cricket in the 17th century. During these early years, there were no standardized rules, and the game was played in various forms. Not even the usual number of 11 players per team had been agreed by this moment. Underarm bowling was a natural choice as it allowed the bowler to roll the ball along the ground, making it difficult for the batsman to play attacking shots. The cricket section from 1xBet India is also available for wagering on bowlers that employ different techniques as well.
As cricket evolved and codified rules were introduced, underarm bowling continued to be a legitimate method of delivering the ball. However, it gradually gave way to overarm bowling, where the bowler delivers the ball with the arm extended above the shoulder.
A Technique That Fell Out of Favor
The transition from underarm to overarm bowling was a significant development in the history of cricket. The 1xBet website allows you to wager on mobile devices on other interesting things that happen in cricket matches, too.
Overarm bowling allowed for:
- a wider range of deliveries;
- greater speed;
- and more variations.
This made the game more dynamic and challenging for batsmen. The shift was influenced by players like John Willes and Edgar Willsher, who began experimenting with overarm bowling in the mid-19th century.
The most pivotal moment in the transition occurred during a match between England and Surrey in 1864 when Kent’s fast bowler, John Jackson, bowled consistently overarm. This match is often considered the turning point in the acceptance of overarm bowling.
The 1981 underarm bowling incident that is etched in cricketing infamy took place during a One-Day International (ODI). The involved teams were Australia and New Zealand, who played on February 1, 1981, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. New Zealand needed 6 runs from the final ball to tie the match. To prevent the batsman, Brian McKechnie, from hitting a 6, the Australian captain, Greg Chappell, instructed his brother, Trevor Chappell, to deliver the last ball underarm.
Trevor Chappell’s underarm delivery was a deliberate attempt to ensure that the ball did not reach a height that would allow McKechnie to hit a 6. The incident was met with outrage from the cricketing community and fans worldwide. It was seen as a breach of the spirit of the game and led to widespread criticism of the Australian team.
The underarm incident of 1981 prompted cricketing authorities to take action. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced new regulations that explicitly prohibited underarm bowling in limited-overs cricket. The rule stated that the ball must be bowled with a straight arm and not below the batsman’s waist. Overarm bowling became the standard delivery method in all formats of the game.
Historically, underarm bowling played a significant role in the game’s early development. Early cricket matches from the 17th and 18th centuries featured a mix of underarm and roundarm (a precursor to overarm) bowling. Batsmen during this era faced challenges adapting to different bowling styles.
Underarm bowlers relied on line and length, aiming to deceive batsmen with variations in pace and movement off the pitch. Also, this underarm bowling was primarily employed in the formative years of cricket, approximately during the 17th century. The 1xBet platform allows you to wager from mobile devices on the best cricketers from the entire world.
