No-Ball in Cricket: All the Types and What Happens Next
Every type of no-ball in cricket — front foot, height, beamer, throwing — what the batter gets, whether a wicket can fall, and how no-balls affect limited-overs scoring.
A no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket that results in a run being added to the batting team's extras and (in limited-overs cricket) a free hit on the next delivery. There are many types of no-ball — most players and fans are familiar with the front-foot no-ball but there are several others.
Types of No-Ball
- Front-foot no-ball: The bowler's front foot lands fully beyond the popping crease at the moment of delivery. Most common type.
- Back-foot no-ball: The bowler's back foot lands outside the return crease (the side boundary of the bowling crease). Less common.
- Height no-ball: A full-pitched delivery reaching the batter above waist height (beamer) — automatically a no-ball.
- Bouncer no-ball: Bowling more than the permitted number of bouncers per over (typically one per over in limited-overs cricket).
- Throwing / illegal action: If the umpire considers the bowler's delivery action constitutes a throw (straightening of the elbow joint), it is called a no-ball.
- Fielding position: If fielders are not in permitted positions at the moment of delivery (e.g., too many on the leg side), a no-ball is called.
What a No-Ball Means
Every no-ball: (1) adds one run to extras ('penalty' run or 'no-ball' extra); (2) must be re-bowled as a free delivery; (3) prevents the batting team losing a wicket from most dismissals. The only ways a batter can be out from a no-ball are: run-out, handled the ball (now 'obstructing the field'), hit the ball twice, or timed out.
Free Hit in Limited-Overs Cricket
In ODI and T20 cricket, a front-foot no-ball (or back-foot no-ball) results in the next delivery being a 'free hit' — the batter cannot be dismissed by any method except a run-out. The free hit is signalled by the umpire circling their arm above their head. In Tests, there is no free hit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a front-foot no-ball in cricket?
A front-foot no-ball occurs when the bowler's front foot — at the moment of delivery — lands completely beyond the popping crease (the line at the batter's end). The foot can land on the crease line but not beyond it. It is the most common type of no-ball in cricket.
Can a batter be out from a no-ball?
A batter can only be dismissed from a no-ball by: run-out, obstructing the field, hitting the ball twice, or timed out. They cannot be bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket off a no-ball. The free hit rule in limited-overs cricket adds a further layer of protection on the subsequent delivery.
What is a free hit in cricket?
A free hit is the delivery following a front-foot or back-foot no-ball in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20s). On a free hit, the batter cannot be dismissed by any method except a run-out. The free hit is announced by the umpire circling their arm overhead and is indicated on scoreboards and broadcasts.