The Free Hit in Cricket: Rules, Strategy, and When It Applies
A free hit is a delivery where the batsman cannot be dismissed (except by run out) — awarded to the batting side after a no-ball. This guide explains how free hits work in T20 and ODI cricket, the fielding restrictions that apply, and how batting and bowling teams adapt their strategy.
The free hit was introduced in ODI cricket in 2007 and T20 cricket simultaneously — awarded to the batting side after a no-ball (foot overstepping the crease). On a free hit, the batsman cannot be dismissed except by run out — they can edge it, miss it completely, or mishit it without any chance of being caught, bowled, or stumped. It's cricket's version of a penalty kick: a guaranteed advantage for the batting team that punishes the bowling side for the most common error in bowling.
Free Hit Rules in Detail
After a no-ball, the next delivery is a free hit. The umpire signals the free hit by rotating their arm in a circle above their head. The fielding restrictions that applied at the time of the no-ball remain in place for the free hit — fielders cannot move to boundary-protecting positions. The batsman can only be dismissed on a free hit by run out (being out of their crease when the ball hits the stumps) or by handling the ball, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice. A wide or no-ball on the free hit results in another free hit.
Free Hit in Tests
Free hits do NOT apply in Test cricket. A no-ball in Test cricket results only in a penalty run (one extra) and an extra delivery being bowled — but the next delivery is not a free hit. This is one of several rule differences between Test cricket and the limited-overs formats. The ICC debated whether to introduce free hits in Test cricket when it introduced day-night Tests, but decided against it to preserve Test cricket's distinct character.
Batting on a Free Hit
A batsman on a free hit can take significant risks that they would never attempt on a normal delivery. They might step down the pitch early, pre-meditate a big shot, or try an outrageous ramp or switch hit. The best T20 batsmen treat free hits as near-certain boundary opportunities. Andre Russell, Chris Gayle, and Kieron Pollard are renowned for consistently scoring sixes on free hit deliveries — turning a bowling error into maximum damage.
Frequently asked questions
What is a free hit in cricket?
A free hit is a delivery where the batsman cannot be dismissed except by run out — awarded after a no-ball (bowling overstepping). The umpire signals with a circular arm motion. It applies in ODI and T20 cricket but not in Test matches.
Can a batsman be caught out on a free hit?
No. On a free hit, the batsman cannot be dismissed by a catch. They can only be run out, or dismissed by hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field, or handling the ball. A mishit, edge, or misconnection that goes to a fielder is safe.
Do fielding restrictions change for a free hit?
The fielding restrictions that applied at the moment of the no-ball remain unchanged for the free hit. Fielders cannot move to new positions — they must stay where they were when the no-ball was bowled. This prevents the fielding team from using the free hit to reposition their field.