No-Ball in Cricket: All Types, Rules and Consequences
A no-ball in cricket adds a penalty run and offers a free hit in limited overs. Learn about front-foot, height, bouncer, full-toss, and other no-ball types with their consequences.
A no-ball is a delivery that breaks one of several laws of cricket. It awards the batting team a penalty run, cannot result in a wicket (with limited exceptions), and in limited-overs formats triggers a free hit on the next delivery.
Types of no-ball
| Type | Law broken | When called |
|---|---|---|
| Front foot | Bowler's foot lands beyond the popping crease | Most common type |
| Height | Ball passes batter above shoulder height without bouncing | Full toss too high |
| Bouncer limit | More than 2 bouncers per over (Test/ODI) | Speed violation |
| Fielding violation | Too many fielders outside ring or wrong position | Fielding restriction breach |
| Throwing | Bowler's arm straightens more than 15° at elbow | Illegal action |
| Ball touching ground | Ball bounces more than once before reaching batter | Unusual delivery |
Consequences of a no-ball
- 1 penalty run added to the batting team's score (extras).
- The delivery must be re-bowled (it does not count as a legal delivery).
- The batter cannot be out bowled, LBW, caught, hit wicket, or stumped off a no-ball.
- The batter CAN be out run out, handled the ball, obstructed the field, or hit the ball twice off a no-ball.
- In T20 and ODI cricket, the next delivery is a FREE HIT.
The free hit
In limited-overs cricket, a front-foot no-ball triggers a free hit on the next delivery. On a free hit, the batter cannot be dismissed by any fielding wicket dismissal — only a run-out is possible. The fielding positions cannot change between the no-ball and the free hit (except the wicketkeeper). The free hit rule was introduced to penalise bowlers for no-balls in T20 and ODI cricket.
Bouncer limit rules
In Test cricket, bowlers are allowed 2 bouncers per over before the umpire calls a no-ball. In ODIs, the limit is 1 bouncer per over. In T20Is, 1 bouncer per over. A bouncer that passes over the batter's shoulder height when in a normal batting stance is called a wide (not a no-ball) — unless it is the second bouncer in an over, in which case it becomes a no-ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is a free hit in cricket?
A free hit is a delivery in limited-overs cricket where the batter cannot be dismissed except by run-out. It is awarded after a front-foot no-ball.
How many penalty runs does a no-ball give?
A no-ball gives the batting team 1 penalty run (added to extras). Any runs scored off that delivery are also counted.
Can a batter be out off a no-ball?
A batter cannot be bowled, LBW, caught, stumped, or hit-wicket off a no-ball. They can still be run out off a no-ball.