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  • Why is it legal if a batsman takes guard outside the crease, but when the bowler does so it is not


    Wondered why it is perfectly within rules for a batsman to take guard outside his crease, but a bowler is not allowed to step over the crease before he bowls? Cricket experts and fans will try to dispel this confusion in rules.

    This question haunts me ever since I reached the age to understand what is allowed and not allowed in any form of cricket and this one aspect still puts me in confusion.

    The batsman takes the guard outside the crease, of course, to derail the length and accuracy of the bowler so this is allowed. However, if a bowler steps over the crease while bowling it will be declared as a no-ball, and a free hit will be awarded in the shorter format of cricket. Why is it so? After all, coming in to hit the ball outside the crease is an entirely different scenario as the batsman originally stands behind the crease but standing outside the crease before the ball is being bowled surely should not be allowed.

    This different yardstick clearly shows the rule favours mostly batsmen but not the bowlers.
  • Answers

    5 Answers found.
  • ICC change or update the rules and regulations once in a while for a different format of Cricket match. The bowling rules still remain the same except for No Ball and Free hit that was introduced in 2007 (T20I World Cup in South Africa by ICC).

    Likewise few changes time to time announces for different Cricket match format by ICC. For example, One Day match or T20 match bowler's ball going through very little leg side of the Batsman will be considered as 'wide' run whereas the same rules won't apply for the Test match.

    Once upon a time, the rules for Bowler was to be before the crease line steps while bowling or releasing the ball and later it got updated as the bowler can bowl or release the ball on the crease touch limit and shall not exceed the limit by moving or using front toe.

    On the other hand, no law for Batsman stand since a long. It depends on the Batsman comfortable to stand, guard, face the ball avoiding field or pitch issues, getting stumped, bowled and on. They still shall not move forward to stand out of the crease (approx 2 feet or more etc.) to bat (before bowling) and the third umpire will caution them if violate it.

  • I find logic in this. By coming forward the batsman is putting himself in a dangerous situation as the distance between the batsman and the bowler will decrease. The batsman is putting himself at risk. For that again punishing him with a no-ball is not correct. While trying to hit the ball by any chance, if he misses and could not come back to the crease, the wicket-keeper will stump out him. That way chances of getting out or more for him. So keeping this in mind probably there is no no-ball for the batsman coming forward. When a bowler comes forward more than allowed, he is reducing the distance that is naturally allowed to the batsman. That may cause any problem to the batsman and he may get out also. Keeping these facts in mind, I think, a no-ball system is introduced.

    The rules and regulations are made by some experts nominated by ICC and once ICC approves, the rules will become applicable. From time to time based on the condition, some new rules will be coming in and some old rules will also get modified. We have seen many changes like that. Initially, only test matches, then one-day matches and now T20 matches are introduced. We don't know a day may come where new rules will come and noball may be given for the forward movement of the batsman.

    drrao
    always confident

  • Basically cricket is glorifying game for the batsman and most of the rules are favouring him for sure. When the batsman can take guard outside the crease and face the bowler, that is allowed and considered within rule why because, the batsman has the time and knack to face the habitual bowler and changing of his treajectories and if miss the ball to play, then getting out from behind possible. So taking stance outside crease is not recommended for beginners and only seasoned players do it. As far as bowler is concerned he is allowed to take run up even from as far as boundary crease, but he cannot overshoot the line and if crossed that is considered as nobe ball. and one run added to the score.

    K Mohan
    'Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum "
    Even this challenging situation would ease

  • When new rules are formed then may be these ambiguities might get addressed and a uniformity might be there after that. But at present the existing rules are like that and everyone follows them. Moreover both the teams are getting a fair chance to bat and bowl so if any differentiation is there it is well compensated.
    As regards the bowler it is imperative that he should not go beyond the stipulated point because that would change the final velocity of the ball, its travel time, and its impact angle and some expert bowler could take that to the advantage and that is why no one gets that advantage because of the limitation mentioned. For the bowler it is a critical thing but for the batsman it is his risk if he is caught off guard.

    Knowledge is power.


  • Good question. One correction, call him as batter, not batsman as ICC implemented change of name recently. (Because in female cricket, no one would call batswomen, she is batter)

    Coming to your question, batter will be in danger if he takes guard outside the crease and misses the ball. He may have many chances of getting out like stumped and run out. But bowler doesn't have these option. If allowed for bowler, he would extend his steps abnormally and it will be very difficult for a batter to face the ball. It will of course lead to injure the batter. So bowler is not allowed to over step from the bowling crease. Hope you are clear now.


    Jeba.


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