Most Cricket Weirdest Bowling Actions Ever Seen In History: Each bowler has a unique way of bowling.
Some bowlers use a traditional style with a straight arm, while others experiment with different techniques, achieving varied results. When a new style appears, it often faces criticism and even mockery.
This list includes some of the most successful and memorable bowlers, along with a few who were famous for their unusual styles but only had brief success.
Lasith Malinga Cricket
‘Malinga the Slinga’ is one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers, especially in the final overs. Known for his low round-arm action, he learned to bowl with a tennis ball, which helped him develop his unique style. Malinga has 338 ODI wickets and ranks ninth in the format. In T20Is, he ranks fifth all-time with 107 wickets. He led Sri Lanka to win the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014.
There were questions about the legality of his action, but it never violated the ICC’s permissible flexing angle of 15 degrees. His unique action put a lot of strain on his hips and knees, leading to injuries later in his career. Remarkably, he is the only male player to take four wickets in four balls twice in international matches, doing so against South Africa in 2007 and New Zealand in 2019.
Paddy Dooley Cricket
Australian Paddy Dooley has impressed in the Big Bash League since his debut. In the latest tournament, he took 19 wickets at an average of 12.78. The 25-year-old left-arm spinner has a unique ‘windmilling’ action, which he developed from imitating Jasprit Bumrah. This peculiar style has caught batters off guard.
Dooley’s best performance was taking 4-16 for the Hobart Hurricanes against the Perth Scorchers, including the wickets of Marcus Stoinis and Faf du Plessis. He believes his action’s novelty may wear off but is prepared for when it does.
Paul Adams Cricket
Paul Adams, a South African left-arm spinner, had one of cricket’s most unusual bowling actions, described as a “frog in a blender” by Mike Gatting. He played 45 Tests from 1995 to 2004, taking 134 wickets. His action involved a blend of arms and legs, making it difficult for batters to read.
Adams bowled with his head facing away from the wicket, appearing to be blind, but he insisted he could see enough to bowl effectively. Injuries and the diminishing surprise factor led to his decline after his last Test in 2004.
Shivil Kaushik Cricket
Shivil Kaushik, inspired by Paul Adams, had a brief but memorable cricket career. He performed well in the Karnataka Premier League, earning an IPL contract with the Gujarat Lions in 2016. Kaushik’s action, involving a head drop and wrist spin, was unpredictable even to himself.
Despite a promising start, including almost getting Steve Smith out, his inconsistency led to a short career. His most memorable moment was conceding 30 runs in an over to Virat Kohli in 2016.
Sohail Tanvir Cricket
Sohail Tanvir, a Pakistani fast bowler, is known for his unorthodox action, bowling ‘off the wrong foot.’ He has played for over 20 teams in various domestic T20 leagues and took 54 T20I wickets. Tanvir’s unique style helped him win the first IPL ‘purple cap’ for most wickets in the tournament.
His Test career was short-lived, with only two matches in 2007. Frustrated during a match against India, he switched to left-arm spin but found no success.
Dan Lawrence Cricket
Dan Lawrence, an English part-time off-break bowler, has an eccentric run-up. During England’s 2022 tour of the West Indies, his unusual action gained attention on social media. Lawrence’s run-up involves a winding motion and several unnecessary steps, leading to a relatively standard delivery.
Mike Procter Cricket
Mike Procter, a South African all-rounder, had a brief but impactful Test career, averaging 36.01 with the bat and 19.53 with the ball in first-class cricket. Despite South Africa’s ban from Test cricket during his prime, Procter’s unconventional action, bowling just before his front foot planted, made him a standout player.
Procter’s chest-on bowling style did not hinder his success, and he is remembered as one of cricket’s great talents despite limited international exposure.