What does the law say on chucking? For a delivery to be fair in respect of the arm the ball must not be thrown: Law 24 But isn’t this answer too simple? That takes us to Law 24.3 which gives the definition of a fair delivery: ‘‘A ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowler’s arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand’’. In simpler words: The straightening of the elbow joint — the final action similar to the one when one throws a stone — is ruled out. But a minor flexing, keeping in mind the principles of biomechanics, is allowed. How much of the flexing is allowed? Technically it is called the degree of tolerance. The present law says that it is 10 degrees for fast bowlers, 7.5 degrees for medium pacers, and 5 degrees for slow bowlers. This is likely to be changed, on the recommendations of a high-level ICC committee, to 15 degrees for all bowlers. Why does the doosra always pose a problem? The doosra is bowled from the back of the hand with the only the fingers and wrist giving power to the ball. It’s only a highly flexible wrist that imparts the tweak for the ball to reach the stumps. A longish spell means tired wrists, so the bent elbow has to give strength to the ball.
