No-Ball in Bowling Explained
The many ways a bowler can bowl a no-ball — overstepping the crease, dangerous deliveries, fielding violations — and the consequences for the batting team.
What Is a No-Ball?
A no-ball is a delivery that is illegal under the Laws of Cricket. When a no-ball is called, the batting side receives one penalty run (added to extras), the delivery is not counted in the over and must be re-bowled, and — critically — the batter cannot be dismissed off the delivery except by a run-out, hit the ball twice, or obstructing the field.
Types of No-Ball
- Overstepping the crease: the bowler's front foot lands with some part of it beyond the popping crease at the delivery stride — the most common no-ball.
- Back foot no-ball: the bowler's back foot lands outside the return crease during the delivery stride.
- Full toss above waist height (beamer): any full-pitched delivery above the batter's waist height without bouncing is a no-ball (and potentially a dangerous delivery).
- Bouncer limit exceeded: in most formats, bowlers are limited to two bouncers per over — a third is a no-ball.
- Fielding restriction no-ball: if more fielders than allowed are outside the fielding restrictions at the point of delivery.
- Unsafe delivery: the umpire may call no-ball for any delivery deemed dangerous under Law 41.
Consequences in Detail
Each no-ball adds one run to the extras tally. In T20 cricket and some ODI competitions, a free hit follows every front-foot no-ball — the next delivery cannot result in the batter being dismissed except by a run-out. The delivery itself must be re-bowled, adding a ball to the over beyond the standard six.
Free Hit in T20
Smith bowls a no-ball (overstepping) in the 19th over of a T20 match. One run is added to the extras. The next delivery is a free hit — the batter can only be dismissed by a run-out. The batter hits the free hit to the boundary for 4, scoring 5 runs total from the sequence (1 no-ball penalty + 4 runs off the free hit).
DRS and No-Balls
In international cricket, the third umpire checks for front-foot no-balls on all legitimate dismissals — regardless of whether the on-field umpire called no-ball. If a wicket falls and the third umpire detects an overstepped front foot, the dismissal is overturned regardless of whether the batter reviews or the umpire noticed in real time.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be out off a no-ball?
A batter can be dismissed off a no-ball by run-out, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice. They cannot be given out caught, bowled, stumped, LBW, or hit wicket off a no-ball.
What is a free hit?
A free hit is the delivery following a front-foot no-ball in T20 (and many ODI competitions). The batter cannot be dismissed off a free hit except by run-out. If the free hit itself is also a no-ball, another free hit is awarded.
Does a no-ball count in the over?
No — a no-ball does not count as one of the six balls in the over. The bowler must bowl an additional legal delivery to complete the over. An over containing two no-balls requires eight deliveries to complete.