Byes and Leg Byes in Cricket: Rules and Scoring Explained
Byes and leg byes are extras charged to the fielding side rather than the bowler — knowing when they are (and are not) awarded clears up one of cricket's most confused scoring rules.
Byes and leg byes are two categories of extras that add runs to the batting side's total without the bat making contact with the ball. Both are scored as extras under the fielding side's account, meaning they do not count against the bowler's figures.
When Byes Are Awarded
Byes are awarded when a legitimate delivery (not a wide or no-ball) passes the striker without touching the bat or the batter's body, and runs are completed. The most common source of byes is a wicketkeeper missing a ball down the leg side or failing to collect a sharp delivery that beats both bat and keeper.
When Leg Byes Are Awarded
Leg byes are awarded when the ball hits the batter's body — not the bat — and runs are completed, provided one of two conditions is met: the batter was genuinely attempting to play the ball with the bat, or the batter was attempting to avoid the ball. If the batter deliberately uses the body to deflect the ball and neither condition applies, leg byes are not awarded.
Impact on Wicketkeeper Statistics
Byes are considered the wicketkeeper's responsibility. A keeper who concedes many byes through missed takes, dropped balls, or poor positioning hurts the team. Statisticians track byes per innings as a measure of keeping quality, particularly in Test cricket where the ball can swing and seam unpredictably.
Frequently asked questions
Can leg byes be scored off a no-ball?
Yes. If a no-ball is called and the batter hits the body (not the bat) and runs are taken, they are scored as no-ball plus leg bye. Both extras are added to the total.
Are leg byes counted in a batter's individual score?
No. Leg byes are extras credited to the team total, not to the individual batter's score. Only runs made off the bat count toward a batter's personal tally.