How do I deal with full tosses above waist height (beamers)?
Rule- England
- Wales
- MCC Laws of Cricket
- ECB
- ECB Safety Regulations
- Junior cricket
- Under 9-Under 18
- 2026
- Umpires
Under Law 41.7 (2026 Laws):
- Every delivery that passes, or would have passed, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease without landing is unfair: call and signal No ball.
- If you consider it also dangerous (risk of injury), judged on its speed, height and direction, the striker's skill and how often such deliveries have happened, and ignoring any protective equipment:
- First time: when the ball is dead, repeat the No ball signal to the scorers and give the bowler a first and final warning for the rest of the innings. Tell the other umpire, the fielding captain and the batters.
- Any further dangerous non-landing delivery that innings: call No ball, and have the fielding captain suspend the bowler for the rest of the innings. Another bowler (who did not bowl the previous over and will not bowl the next) finishes the over. Report it after the match.
- If you think a beamer was deliberate, skip the warning: call No ball and have the bowler suspended for the rest of the match, then report it.
This sequence is separate from the warnings for short-pitched bowling under Law 41.6.
Updated 21 Oct 2026