Lasith Malinga's bowling action
Lasith Malinga's bowling action is first-class. He slats it. He whangs it. He slings it. He doesn't chuck it. Better not use the word 'chuck'. No, what Lasith Malinga does is what all of us used to do when we were kids. He just tries to propel the ball as fast as humanly possible. It looks pretty weird, but it's effective. There are pros and cons.
Pros:
Lasith Malinga's action uses every part of his body in generating pace.
The ball is released from an unusually low point, which can catch out batsmen used to more conventional actions.
If he swings the ball in, it will also dip, due to the angle of the seam. Waqar Younis's inswinging yorker did this. Waqar Younis's inswinging yorker was just about the best delivery there's ever been.
If he swings it out, the ball will also rise, pitching fuller than the batsmen anticipates. This is likely to lead to false strokes.
Cons:
Accuracy. If Lasith Malinga releases at the wrong moment, the ball will either go full and down the leg side, or short and on the off-side.
Those of you with modern internet connections or at work can see a video of Lasith Malinga bowling against the West Indies here.
Go on Lasith Malinga. You fire your tennis ball into that piece of wood propped up with a brick. Your bowling action's purer than any in international cricket.
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Pros:
Lasith Malinga's action uses every part of his body in generating pace.
The ball is released from an unusually low point, which can catch out batsmen used to more conventional actions.
If he swings the ball in, it will also dip, due to the angle of the seam. Waqar Younis's inswinging yorker did this. Waqar Younis's inswinging yorker was just about the best delivery there's ever been.
If he swings it out, the ball will also rise, pitching fuller than the batsmen anticipates. This is likely to lead to false strokes.
Cons:
Accuracy. If Lasith Malinga releases at the wrong moment, the ball will either go full and down the leg side, or short and on the off-side.
Those of you with modern internet connections or at work can see a video of Lasith Malinga bowling against the West Indies here.
Go on Lasith Malinga. You fire your tennis ball into that piece of wood propped up with a brick. Your bowling action's purer than any in international cricket.
Read our latest stuff about Lasith Malinga
Read our latest stuff about Sri Lanka
Subscribe to King Cricket
Labels: bowling actions, fast bowling, Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
bowled by Blue and Brown | 4:15 pm
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57 Comments:
uh, yea... not a cheat then??
Ahh.. such quirky and wonderful arm action!
And 'anonymous': no, not a cheat then!
definitey a cheat, and a bad 1 at that. this is the kind of thing that should be stamped out of cricket. he bowling is retarded and doesnt fit the game at all. its not wonderful and its not pure, its talentless and dangerous.
Then perhaps you can elucidate to us on what "pure" bowling is and eliminate most of the good bowlers out there while you're at it.
Lasith Malinga is the "Modern Waqar Younis"
:-)
Malinga is a pure chucker. His action is a 4 o'clock action and is pure cheating. He should be kicked out of cricket at once. This cannot go on. the ICC must review his action.
--
Vineeth Rao
vineethrao93@gmail.com
India
when I first saw him, I thought he chucked-and I hadn't heard of him before then. But hey, 'chucking' is the new in-thing in cricket. Or maybe, I don't know what 'chucking' is!
not a cheat excellant player lovely side sweep not chucking he is good
The Laws of Cricket state that the arm should not straighten during the delivery phase of a bowler's action.
While they imply that the arm should be above the shoulder at point of release, they do NOT say "the arm has to be vertical".
"Chucking" refers to flexing of the elbow, not "oh, that bowler looks a bit funny so he must be chucking it".
If you look closely at the replays, you'll see that Malinga's arm is perfectly straight, just away from his body. Try swinging your arm around like that, and you'll find that it just doesn't work if you try to chuck. Tait has similarities (but obviously isn't as extreme) and so did Thommo in the 80s.
I'll accept that Murali's action looks dodgy, even to the experts...but questioning Malinga's action is the sign of someone who doesn't really know their cricket.
If we had the power to render Mahinda's comment 'the final word', we would.
Unfortunately, we don't have that authority and have only succeeded in making it, temporarily, the penultimate word. And only on this post at that.
We'd have adopted a less Sri Lankan sounding pseudonym, by the way, Mahinda. Something low-key like 'Dirk' for example or 'Carruthers'.
Ha!
I do try to be fair, though. Take Ruchira Perera's action, for instance. It's a wee bit dodgy, even now that it's been remodelled.
hmmmmm looks like this debat is between srilankans and others or not? well but biend a cricketer i dont think he fits in! and i didnt try to bowl like this when i ws kid or havent seen this funny action. and im realy sorry that some one is comparing him with waqar younis, i guess u dont know much about him! well when we had murli's case we heard he has abnormal joints so whts the case with malinga? abnormal shoulder?
i think other teams should hire sergeons to take these kind of benifits rather than depending on there genuine bowlers!
in the end the game has to be fair and all the laws r for make it fair, and icc shud change the laws to keep it fair!
"Change the law to make it fair"?
How are you defining 'fair' there?
If it's such an advantage to bowl like Malinga, then everyone should do it. The truth is, they can't, because it actually makes bowling more difficult.
It's a disadvantage to bowl like Malinga. 99 percent of people couldn't hit the cut strip bowling with his action.
It is chucking. He tries to fool everyone by leaning towards the left side just before releasing the ball and make everyone think that his arm is above shoulder. But if you carefully watch the arm is below shoulder.
He should not be allowed to continue playing cricket.
When I first saw him bowling... I jumped out of my seat... for what I saw was beyond belief... Here you have a guy who is apparently chucking with big jerky movements and the ICC allowed it to happen. They should kick this guy out of cricket... He does'nt fit in cricket... He could try his luck in baseball if he wants too.
Shabbir Ahmed was banned for his action even though his action was legitimate. This is such an injustice with genuine players when chuckers like Malinga (Malign-ga) are allowed to bowl by ICC and supported by Sri Lankans.
Why are Sri Lankans dependend on chuckers for their bowling???
Never mind Malinga's action, that was some really really irresponsible batting by South Africa. Pollock should have done better, but it was a good ball.
Kallis? You got to be kidding me with that shot... Not like him at all.
Hall? Should know better.
South Africa almost gave the match away, but some will paint it as Sri Lanka almost winning.
Okay Mohammad, I'd like to know exactly what is wrong with Lasith Malinga's action.
The official Laws of Cricket can be found here. Please have a read and tell me which one Malinga is guilty of contravening.
BTW, do you remember Paul Adams, the South African "frog in a blender" spinner? Or did no-one care about his weird action (which makes Malinga's look almost normal) because he just wasn't very good?
Malinga is a pure cheater. The way he bowls stops the ball from bouncing and ultimately gains him a lot of bowled and lbw wickets. The way he flings it gives him the speed and to me, he seems completely unplayable. He is not class, otherwise he would be able to do the same bowling normally.
What is it with the sri lankans. Murali's action is complete cheating and now you have malinga. You would be rubbish without these ludicrous actions.
I aren't a Sri Lankan, but I find it sad that people feel the need to label bowlers chuckers just cos they are different.
So ignore all the angry idiots and know that since he is young, he will be around for years for real cricket fans to enjoy, just like we have enjoyed Shoaib and Lee.
As for Malinga, he entertains in a game full of miltary medium pace and boring line and length bowlers.
Just like Thommo when he hit the scene or Waqar or Shoaib.
As for being talentless, none of the professional cricketers are. It's one thing to criticise bad performance but this jealously and raging at a player just shows what little hope there is for the human race.
Hopefully the haters are not representative of real fans.
Most of you are are critisizing on Malinga's bowling action is becauses you cannot stand someone being so good.
I can't see what the problem is, his arms clearly above the shoulder and in slow motion it doesn't flex any more than many other fast bowlers although his lower arm seems unusually bendy.
nobody seems to be able to quote an actual law broken, so as long as that's the case his action is fine with me. Don't understand the fuss really.
and yes, i remember paul 'frog in a blender' adams. Respect to a professional making the top grade, but i couldn't watch him bowl without laughing beer though my nose.
SAD......If you boys think that Malinga is a CHUCKER......CHEAT ..... Oh for Godsake where on earth did you guys learn the game of cricket????
If you have been following the matchers on TV am sure you would hear the expert commence from greats like Holding,Croft,Barry Richards,Rameez Raja .....Think that should educate you morons
I wouldn't be surprised if some donkey were to say that Lara's dismissal was not fair as the bowler was going at 120kmph and as such the keeper shouldn't stand at the stumps.Lets change the laws shall we????????
"It is but a moment's shame,to ask.To be ignorant,remains a life long shame"
I thought his action was clean but when slowed down I'm not so sure. Here's a still I took from a youtube vid, there is definitely a point at which the arm is bent.
That is definitely not chucking. He bowls straight arms and great yorkers. he is the next waqar younis.
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I don't understand what all the fuss is about.People who are experts and who have played cricket all their lives(Most of the tv and radio commentators)seem to be genuinely impressed with malinga's bowling.He has been in the scene for sometime and taken more than 25 test wickets. During all this time neither any umpires nor any opposing players have raised any objections to his action.Just because someone is bowling with an unusual action, that doesn't mean he is bowling with an illegal action.
If you need to keep the arm straight through out the bowling action, almost all bowlers wound be found wanting. That is why the law say that the arm should be straight at the point of delivery and have allowed players to bend their arm up to 15 degrees.
As for comments made by some regarding Murali. I think that debate has gone on long enough.Everybody, except ignorant few,accept that he is the greatest spin bowler ever to have graced the cricketing field.
I think the problem here is not that people dislike players,it is that they like their own players above anyone else.Love for cricket should surpass all national boundaries. Someone who is a genuine cricket lover, should enjoy any good player.
Eg: The brilliance of Kevin pieterson,
The strength of Mathew Hayden
Determination of Jack Khalis
Genius of Brian Lara(It was sad to see him go though, But I think it was for the best,before he humiliated himself even more)
Speed of Shane bond, to name a few.
Well look whose talking " Vineeth Rao" who is one of the best tea boy in the Indian Team ( The Indian Team which atleast didnt qualify for the super eights). What do you know about cricket and how could you even say that Malinga Should be kicked out of the Cricket Team. Yeah, you guys are just scared of our Man! Scaredy Cats!!!
Why dont you go and play for the Indian Team instead of serving Tea for them... You would make a better bowler... WE HOPE!!! :D
People speak about cricket when they know CRICKET... who are you to say that Lasith is a cheater and a pure Chucker...? Its for the cricket board to decide NOT YOU!
He isnt a cheater..he is a unique bowler!
He is one of the best bowlers dat icc has witnesse through da world cup!!
PLUS HE IS HOT!
SOO HOT!!
HE IS A UNIQUE BOWLER!!
HE DUZNT CHEAT OR CHUCK!
HE IS ONE OF THE BEST BOWLERS DAT ICC HAS WITNESSED THROUGH OUT THE WOLRD CUP!!
HE DESERVES DA RESPECT FOR GODSAKES....
PLUS HE IS SOO HOTT!! SEXIEST CRICKETER EVAA!!
Jesus !
What is this argument. It looks like a war. I think lot of people scared about Lasith Malinga. I have very special facts to tell all of you.
When I saw this guy first I was astonished. What a bowling style. Is that legal. My first question came to my mind. But I was really impressed about his bowling. He is not only making fire but also entertaining the viewers. What a fascinating player. Anyway then I started to solve my doubt. Is that a legal action. Results came out. Of course, that is a legal action( If any one wants to clarify it check out the cricket laws). During my work I found another very special thing. Some people say Malinga's action is more similar to former Aussies fast bowler Jeff Thomson's action. My god.... that is utterly false. Did anyone see Jeff Thomson's action? I saw that and I compare it with Malinga's action. Completely different.
So guys... Don't be silly. He is a bowler with unique action. still he is not a Waqar or great fast bowler. But he is a emerging fast bowler. He may have bright future. But don't be jealous. He is not a chucker. Not a cheater... Real entertainer, match winner, striker. what else?
-Steven Jakobson
Lasith Malinga does not break any laws of cricket when he is delivering. Just because he looks different some try to lable him a chucker.
His arm remains straight and he delivers from above shoulder hight. Why not take off your colored glasses and have a good look?
Maybe you'll notice his rings and awesome hairdo too in the process.
Lasith malinga chucking????.....
have u guys ever watched how jeff thompson(the former Aussie fast bowler) bowled in his entire career.
Recently he admired Lasiths action in a press conference.
according to the lows of the cricket "the bowling arm cannot bent more than 15 degrees in the delivery sride"
since he is doing that he is fine.
for more details visit
http://lasithmalinga.blogspot.com
hhey gyz i've seen lasith bowling once or twice over on satellite here @ usa. i reckon da dudez pretty cool. got a great way ahead. he shud play baseball, hed make a great pitcher!
anyone who copies his action frankly is a complete moron.
Any Sri Lankans on this site, watch chaminda vaas bowl. he has a great action.
I just think he is hot as :)
wish he was my valentine
and I want more pics of him :lol
This is a msg for Vineeth rao.....
do you actually know how to play cricket...or do you know what is the meaning of chucking......
dont just make any comments if you dont know what you talking about.....
He should not be allowed to bowl.
It is not a proper bowling action.
Its like throwing stone @ someone.
He should be BANNED.
i agree to Vineeth rao and want to say that out of 100 yrs history there is no bowler , who did get an idea to bowl with horizontal hand in air /..He should be sacked/
My reasons to say this are two fold..
a. Kumble,Shane Warne and many other people including most ferocious Malcom Marchall or Dennis Lilee , would not look like a villain in the field.
His body , movement, strained-crooked face--looking,paint on his face, 3rd and 4th of the over to be observed and you will agree with me- by no means you can qualify him as Gentleman with clean expressions...
Sreesanth has similar style of shouting showing his canines towards Batsman as if he wants to bite people like a drakula..He can not be called successful by the ball but may get wicket by sheer psychological way...
He is a fuckin bowler --which is reflected in his facial expression ..
His arm is just too low IMO and has been getting lower every year. Not that it makes any differance they will just change the rules like they did for Murali the chucker. Heaven help the white guy that has a suspect action.
The only tangible difference between this chap's so called bowling and baseball pitching - is the angle of body title and the run. This is chucking, and unfortunatly for Mohammad (earlier comment)who does not understand the concept of a fair, gentlemans sport - Waqar Younis along with Malinga will only be recalled in eventual cricket history as fancy-full cheats. If you disagree I suggest you simple look in the WS Encyclopedia (Est.1662) to see the definition of the phrase "Cricket Cheat" - Waqar Younis is refered to 4 times. Im sure post 2011 you will see another name joining this.
It is a horrible bowling action if this is not a TROW ... heck he looks like a baseball playing throwing with that action
Just seen Sri Lanka v Pakistan in the 20/20....that dude is a CHUCKER!! Outrageous!!
chucker chucker chuker......
he is funny bowler...& very strong!!!
you all can't appreciate the malinga slinga as a pace bowler i think its intresting way of bowling . Tbh is like all the t20 shot eg switch hit paddle shot etc
why can't these dumb people who think Malinga chucks look at the black and white facts rather than looking at his bowling action on visual inspection for the very first time and say "oooh it LOOKS like hes chucking"!
Fact 1: the elbow joint of Malinga's arm is dead straight from the point hes in the delivery stride to the point he releases the ball. There is no visible flex (although some hyperextension is visible at an oblique angle). To prove this type in malinga bowling in youtube. You can pause anytime in his bowling action and see for yourself.
Fact 2: he delivers the ball above shoulder height which is another requirement of bowling.
Fact 3: Malingas bowling action is much cleaner than some other bowlers
so just because hes so round arm does not mean he chucks. And if you still think he chucks get over it coz hes still gonna be BOWLING for a long time to come
anonymous, wat exact rule or law is he cheating??
For all the jealous morons: "Chucking" is bending your arm when you're bowling.
Lasith Malinga is NOT bending his arm! There's a maximum of 15 degrees (if I remember right), and his arm is DEAD STRAIGHT.
Malinga's is not a good action. If a bowler could sling that much why should a batsmen not have a bat with twice width? Or why not stumps should be reduced to two or one or even 1/2 in height. This is unfair with cricket itself and the people who allowed him must not be fare cricketing souls at all!
In Hindi he is a bhatta bowler... english mein chucker...
I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE JUSTIFIED MALINGA'S BOWLING, IT IS A FORM OF 'ROUND ARM BOWLING' WHICH IS A TYPE OF PACE BOWLING THAT EMERGED IN THE MID 1800'S. IT GRADUALLY DECLINED AFTER OVER-HEAD PACE BOWLING WAS ALLOWED BUT IT WAS never BANNED.
Once upon a time, when I was in Games lessons at school,if I had bowled like Malinga then the teacher would have become very angry and sent me back to the changing rooms for an early shower.
Frankly, it's just not cricket.
Malinga IS a chucker. Hate to say it, but it's true. He throws the ball. It is his chest muscles that putt the ball forward. That is why his arm is perpendicular to the body - to engage these muscles. He disguises it (sometimes) by turning his body to make the arm look more upright. The elbow flexion is modest but add to the throw. Unfortunately, because the current ICC definition of chucking is based on elbow flexion only, he can get away with what is obviously a throw. He should be banned. Everyone is scared to act because of the Murali controversy. Ironically, Murali was OK. But not Malinga.
The rules were modified to adapt his style of bowling.
While we were young and starting to learn we were asked bowl with our arm going in a round fashion to around 270 degrees.
Can someone differentiate his style of so called bowling & baseball pitching, that is the reason why he gets a different angle , swing and also look at how he holds the ball he spins it,that is the reason why he does not need a long run up.
Guys seriously, if everyone that had a strange action was banned, there wouldnt be half the spinners and medium pacers we have. And Malinga isn't totally unhittable (forgive me if that's incorrectly spelt), it is just the fact that he is unusual more so than most bowlers. If everyone bowled the exact same action for each style, there would be much more 6's and 4's as the batsmen would be able to pick the delivery right away
Hey man only elbow bend more than 15 degrees in prohibited malinga has only round arm action instead of straight arm which is not a cheating
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