No-Ball Rules in Cricket — What Counts, What Doesn't, and Penalties

What Is a No-Ball?

A no-ball is an illegal delivery that results in one extra run being added to the batting team's score, and the delivery must be rebowled. Crucially, a batter cannot be dismissed off a no-ball except by run-out, hit the ball twice, handled the ball, or obstructing the field — the most dangerous dismissals (bowled, caught, LBW, stumped) are all void.

Front-Foot No-Ball

The most common no-ball type: the bowler's front foot lands wholly beyond the popping crease (the batting line) at delivery. The foot can land on the crease — it must be grounded behind it with some part of the foot behind or on the line. This rule prevents bowlers from gaining an unfair positional advantage by getting too close to the batter.

Height-Based No-Balls

A full toss (a ball that reaches the batter without bouncing) delivered above waist height is called a no-ball. A ball that passes above shoulder height (when the batter is in their normal stance) is also called a no-ball if it is judged as a wide or if the second such delivery in an innings is bowled — the Laws of Cricket treat deliberate short-pitched bowling at the body as dangerous bowling.

The Free Hit

In limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is), a front-foot no-ball is followed by a free hit on the next delivery. On a free hit, the batter can only be dismissed by run-out, hit the ball twice, or obstructing the field — effectively making it a near-safe ball to attack. Field restrictions from the no-ball delivery are carried over to the free hit, preventing the fielding side from repositioning.

Other Types of No-Ball

Other no-ball varieties include: back-foot no-ball (back foot lands outside the return crease at delivery), the ball bouncing more than twice before reaching the batter (rare but possible), and fielders being out of position (e.g. more than 2 fielders behind square on the leg side in limited-overs formats).