No-Ball Penalties in Cricket Explained
All the ways a no-ball can be called in cricket, the penalties it carries, and how no-balls affect the match.
What Is a No-Ball?
A no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket that results in a penalty run for the batting side and must be rebowled. The Laws of Cricket define multiple grounds for calling a no-ball, most of which relate to the bowler's foot position, the height of the delivery, or other aspects of the delivery action that breach the Laws.
Grounds for Calling No-Ball
- Front-foot infringement — any part of the front foot is beyond the popping crease at delivery
- Back-foot infringement — the back foot lands outside (beyond) the return crease
- Illegal action — the elbow straightens more than 15 degrees during delivery (throwing)
- Full toss above waist height — a ball not pitching that reaches the batter above waist height
- Dangerous short-pitched delivery — two bouncers per over in Tests; one in ODIs/T20Is
- Ball bouncing more than twice — the ball must not touch the pitch more than twice before reaching the batter
- Ball rolling along the ground — must reach the batter above the crease
- Fielding position infringement — fielder not in a legal position at the time of delivery
The Free Hit
In ODI and T20I cricket, a no-ball results in a free hit on the next delivery. The umpire signals the free hit with a circular motion of the raised arm. Off the free hit, the batter cannot be dismissed by any method except run-out, obstructing the field, or hit the ball twice. The batter is free to swing at the delivery without any fear of being caught, stumped, or bowled.
No-Balls in Tests
In Tests there is no free hit provision — a no-ball results in one extra run to the batting side and the delivery must be rebowled. However, wickets cannot stand off a no-ball except for run-out. A batter can still be run out attempting a run off a no-ball delivery. The test match no-ball toll can mount significantly over five days — some teams accumulate 20 or more no-ball extras in a single innings.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be out caught off a no-ball?
No. A batter cannot be dismissed caught, bowled, stumped, LBW, or hit-wicket off a no-ball. The only valid dismissals off a no-ball are run-out, obstructing the field, and hit the ball twice.
What if the bowler bowls a no-ball on a free hit delivery?
Another free hit is called for the next delivery. Free hits accumulate — if a bowler bowls consecutive no-balls, consecutive free hits are awarded until a legal delivery is bowled.