5 changes to ODI cricket rules over the years

#4 Two bouncers rule

The bouncer rule has seen quite a few changes in the past

The use of bouncers in cricket has been controversial, to say the least. Some critics say that the use of bouncers in cricket should come under intimidation tactics and therefore be done away with. This however, is not the case as per the two bouncers rule. In the 70s and 80s, teams like West Indies and Australia used bouncers to dominate the sport with their all pace-battery teams.

The rules for bouncers were first formed in 1991 which allowed for one bouncer per batsman per over. This rule was amended in 1994 to two bouncers per over with a two-run penalty if the bowler exceeded the limit. In 2001, the ICC again reverted to the original one bouncer rule with a one-run penalty in case the limit was breached. In the wave of 2012, wherein sweeping changes were made to the game, two bouncers were once again allowed without any run penalty.