Cricket, the game of tradition and technique, has seen its share of unconventional bowling over the years. These distinctive techniques have challenged the established norms in the sport and confused opponents as well as fans. Some of these bowlers went on to become legends but others’ peculiarities made an enduring impression, let’s explore the world of unconventional bowling actions and the bowlers who defied convention.
Mike Proctor the wrong Footed Speedster
Mike Proctor, a name that may be familiar to modern cricket fans for a different reason, was formerly a formidable fast bowler for South Africa. Proctor was an unusual person in every way, and he was well-known for his rapid pace. In a rare instance of bowling with the wrong foot, he did so “at 100mph from mid-off”. For any cricket enthusiast, this meant that he delivered the ball while landing on his right foot, an odd sight.
Colin Croft Caribbean’s Enigma
Colin Croft contributed his distinct flair to the game, the Caribbean born player makes it difficult for batsman to pick his deliveries since he frequently blocked the umpire’s view by running in so close to the stumps. Croft’s mystery was enhanced by his unusual angle and the perception that he was a left-arm pacer while being a right-arm player
Muttiah Muralitharan The Wizard of Spin Bowling
No doubt the best off-spinner in the cricket history, but Muttiah Muralitharan, had a questionable bowling action. His bent-arm movement caused debate, despite his famed square turn on pitches across the globe. Even though ICC repeatedly overturned his action, people laughed at his mysterious looks as he released the ball.
Sohail Tanvir The Incorrect Footed Mystery
Similar to Mike Proctor, Sohail Tanvir was also included in the group of bowlers with incorrect footing. He performed a peculiar motion during delivery by landing on his left foot.
Jasprit Bumrah The IncorrectThe Modern Day Oddity
The pace phenol from India, Jasprit Bumrah, added a special touch to the match. When he jumps to bowl, his hands strike an add stance that resembles a clock, contributing to his wide-arm movement, which is frequently referred to as unconventional.
Shivil Kaushik The Chinaman Mystery
Reminiscent of South African spinner Paul Adams, Shivil Kaushik rose to prominence in the Indian Premier League. Batsman was left scratching their heads by his odd movement and Chinaman bowling style.
Paul Adams The “Frog in a Blender”
During the 1996 World Cup, Paul Adams the first Chinaman bowling maestro grabbed international notice. His odd actions, which included a high-jump, a neck jerk, and a little run-up, left onlookers perplexed. He was dubbed the “frog in a blender” by Mike Gatting.
Shiva Singh The 360 Degree Bowler
The bowler made a full 360-degree turn during his run-up, but the umpire called it a dead ball. This unusual bowling action may have gone unnoticed by the cricket community. On the third day of the CK Nayudu Trophy match, a famous four-day domestic competition involving India’s Under-23 state teams, this unusual incident took place. The game in issue was played in Kalyani, which is on the outskirts of Kolkata, and it featured Bengal against Uttar Pradesh.
Even while these unconventional bowling motions caused some controversy at first, they enhanced cricket by demonstrating the range of skill and styles present in the game. These bowlers have left their mark on cricket history with their mark on cricket history with their oddities and peculiarities, which adds to the game’s allure and unpredictable nature
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