Is This Really Cricket?

[sir.prize]

During the tea break, Nasser Hussain is discussing Broad's bowling. He says that the bowler is deliberately aiming at the batsman's ribs and chest. He also says that bouncers must be aimed at the shoulder. Primarily attempting to 'break' the batsman's wicket/dislodge the bails is 'real cricket'.

Deliberately aiming at the higher body is not how we played cricket some years ago. But then neither did we wear all the ridiculous protective headgear.

. . . and the appeals to the umpire for an lbw! Well, screaming in unison like kids throwing tantrums. Absolutely ridiculous. and

not really cricket.

[factor-fiction]

>Deliberately aiming at the higher body is not how we played cricket some years ago.

You must be too young to remember Sir Douglas Jardine's England side

[sir.prize]

Very true factor, I was not around in the early 'thirties.

And from what I have heard Jardine particularly disliked the Australians and his bodylijne action was considered by some to be intimidating.

I still don't think that kind of action is really necessary.

[factor-fiction]

I don't like it either but it's always been around. The phrase 'chin music' used to be used. The West Indies sides of the 70s and 80s bowled a lot of bouncers as did Lillee etc for the Aussies, and these were aimed at the head

[doctordb]

Yes it is and it always has been. :)

[Allen Crisp]

The bouncer has always been allowed. It is a valuable tool for a fast bowler, making the batsman uncertain about playing forwards and keeping him on the back foot. What is against the spirit (and the Laws) of cricket is persistent short-pitched bowling. Whether or not this is unfair is a matter for the bowler's umpire to decide. Personally I think they let it go a bit too far sometimes. I also don't like to see it directed at lower order batsmen (although when an Aussie no 11 can come in and score 98 it's probably justified).

Jardine's tactics did not even meet with the approval of the whole England team. Gubby Allen flatly refused to bowl to a leg side field.

[grumpy01]

Don't think Douglas Jardine was ever knighted F.F. .

[jno]

I think intimidatory bowling has been outlawed for decades, but it was up to the umpires to enforce them and they never seemed to do so, even against tailenders. Just like they don't take any action against time-wasting.