How ODI rules have changed since the 1992 World Cup

The bouncer rule

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

Bouncers have always been controversial in cricket as they are considered to be a deliberate ploy to injure or intimidate the batsmen. Using such tactics of course has a long history starting from the controversial bodyline series to the 70s where the West Indian quicks dominated the game.

More recently, the death of the Australian cricketer Phil Hughes after he was hit by a bouncer cast a long shadow of gloom over the game and raised questions once again over whether bouncers should be allowed.

Nevertheless, bouncers in ODI cricket have been in vogue at the time of the World Cup 1992 when one bouncer per over was allowed. In 1994, the ICC allowed two bouncers per over with a two-run penalty for exceeding the limit.

In 2001, the ICC went back to allow one bouncer per over with a one rule penalty for exceeding the limit. But the latest rule change in 2012 has allowed two bouncers once again and the run penalty has been done away with. Exceeding the limit only results in the delivery being called a no-ball.