No-Balls in Cricket: Every Type Explained
A no-ball is one of cricket's most important fielding offences. Learn every category of no-ball — from the front-foot infringement to an illegal fielding position — and understand the consequences each carries.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batsman be run out from a no-ball?
Yes — a run-out is always valid regardless of whether the delivery is a no-ball, wide, or legal ball. If the batsman attempts a run and is short of their ground when the bails are removed, they are out regardless of the delivery type. This is why batsmen are sometimes warned by their partner not to attempt risky runs even on free hits — a run-out on a free hit delivery is just as valid as on any other ball.
How are no-balls detected in modern cricket?
At international level, ball-tracking cameras and dedicated TV footage are used to review front-foot no-balls. A third umpire watches every front-foot landing in real time (in some series) and relays no-ball calls to the on-field umpires who may be positioned differently. In the 2010s, the ICC trialled fully automated no-ball detection systems that removed the on-field umpire's judgment from front-foot calls entirely — these systems proved highly accurate but have been rolled out selectively across different competitions.