No Ball in Cricket: All the Ways a Bowler Can Bowl a No Ball

A no ball is a delivery that breaks one of several Laws of Cricket relating to the bowler's action, foot placement, or the ball itself. No balls cost the fielding side a run and, in limited-overs cricket, give the batter a free hit on the very next delivery — a ball off which they cannot be dismissed except by run out.

Front Foot No Ball

The most common no ball is the front-foot no ball. When the bowler lands their front foot over — rather than behind — the popping crease, it is a no ball. The foot may land on the crease line itself: it must not go completely beyond it. Umpires watch the front foot closely, and in many professional competitions third umpires use video replays to assist.

Back Foot No Ball and Other Foot Faults

A back-foot no ball occurs when the bowler's back foot lands outside — not touching — the return crease at the moment of delivery. Bowling from the wrong side of the wicket without notifying the umpire, or changing from over to around the wicket mid-delivery stride, are also no balls.

Illegal Ball Height and Bouncers

A ball that passes or would have passed over the batter's head on the full is a no ball. In addition, most formats limit the number of bouncers per over (usually two). Exceeding that limit results in a no ball. Bowling underarm without consent in a format where overarm is expected is also a no ball.