I think straight arm rule was introduced to prevent batsman from getting hurt. May be somebody was badly hurt or even killed by a fast ball thrown at him. Nowadays with helmets and all the paddings batsmen are protected and some degree of stretching should be allowed, specially for the spinners.

Good Grief! Adding salt to the sore, as if the 2-0 humiliating series defeat is not enough!

I never understood why bowlers can't bend or straighten their arms when they bowl? If it gives the bowlers more opportunity to take wickets it can't surely be bad. Just curious to know when the straight arm rule was introduced?

I agree with what @Mithilesh Oza says. I want to add to this discussion that players should not be allowed to wear long sleeved shirts when bowling. I feel some bowlers do that to "hide" their bowling action.

15 degree rule should be scrapped.

(1) If it is allowed for one bowler because of the unique genetic formation of his bone structure of the elbow joint, it should be allowed for all. (2) Anything which can not be monitored on a consistent basis will be misused; not because you are a crook, but because of desperation to get a wicket. (Often the bowler may not be even aware of it) (3) Relative superior power of one Board or a group should not be allowed to alter the rule.

(It has worked both ways though. The 15 % rule was influenced by one set of Boards & the current 2-ball rule and field restrictions were effected to pander to the desire of another set)

And, when I see comparison of statistics of players over different era; I feel responding saying that not only grounds and protective playing gears have changed; but rules too. Such comparisons are meaningless.

I simply don't understand the 15 degree rule of ICC.. How can u make a rule which cannot be monitored throughout the match?? the bowlers are called in laboratories to monitor their action where the player knows that all the eyes are on him and he is under no pressure to save runs or take wickets, obviously he is not going to bend his arms... this rule should be scrapped atleast until there is a concrete technology to monitor the action throughout the match...