No-Balls and Free Hits in Cricket: Rules, Types, and When They Apply
The no-ball rule in cricket — front-foot no-balls, wide no-balls, head-high full tosses, and the free hit rule in limited-overs cricket that gives batters a bonus delivery.
A no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket that does not count as a legitimate ball faced, allows the batting team an extra run, and — in limited-overs cricket — triggers a free hit on the next delivery. No-balls can be bowled for several reasons: the front foot lands past the popping crease, the ball is delivered full-toss above waist height, the fielding side has more players on the leg side than permitted, or the bowler delivers from outside the bowling crease. The no-ball law exists to protect batters and maintain fair playing conditions.
Types of No-Ball
- Front-foot no-ball: The most common type. If any part of the bowler's front foot lands in front of (or on) the popping crease, it's a no-ball. The ball of the foot must land behind the line.
- Back-foot no-ball: The bowler's back foot lands outside the return crease or not within the bowling crease.
- Height no-ball: A full-toss (ball not bouncing before reaching the batter) above waist height for a normal standing batter is a no-ball — and if it's above shoulder height, it's an automatic no-ball and a warning.
- Wide no-ball: A delivery that goes down the leg side AND bounces above waist height is called as both a wide and a no-ball.
- Field placement no-ball: More than two fielders behind square on the leg side, or too many fielders outside the powerplay circle in limited overs cricket.
The Free Hit
In limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is), a no-ball for overstepping the front-foot crease (and only for this reason) triggers a free hit on the next delivery. On a free hit, the batter cannot be dismissed except by run-out, obstructing the field, handled the ball, or hitting the ball twice. This means the batter can swing without fear of being bowled, LBW, or caught — a significant advantage. The free hit rule was introduced in ODIs in 2007 and T20Is from the format's inception to increase penalties for no-balls.
Frequently asked questions
What happens on a no-ball in cricket?
When a no-ball is bowled: the batting team receives 1 penalty run added to their total (scored as an extra); the delivery does not count as one of the over's six legitimate balls (the over will continue until 6 legal balls are bowled); the batter cannot be dismissed off a no-ball except by run-out, handling the ball, or obstructing the field; in limited-overs cricket, a no-ball for overstepping triggers a free hit on the next delivery.
Is a batter out if they hit a no-ball?
A batter can only be out off a no-ball in the following ways: run-out (the fielding team runs them out while the ball is in play), handled the ball (rare), obstructing the field, or hit the ball twice. The batter cannot be dismissed bowled, LBW, caught, stumped, or hit wicket off a no-ball. This is why the free hit (on the next delivery after a no-ball for overstepping) is particularly valuable — the batter can play with complete freedom on a free hit ball.
What is the free hit rule in T20 cricket?
In T20 cricket, any no-ball bowled for overstepping the front-foot crease results in a free hit on the next delivery. On the free hit ball, the batter can only be dismissed by run-out, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice. The batter cannot be bowled, LBW, caught, stumped, or hit wicket. The umpire signals a free hit by raising a circular motion with their finger. The free hit cannot be changed even if a wicket falls off a run-out on the free hit delivery — the next ball to the new batter is still a free hit.