Free Hit in Cricket: Rules, When It's Called, and How Batters Use It
A free hit means the batter cannot be dismissed caught, bowled, or LBW off the next delivery. Learn exactly when free hits are awarded, the dismissal modes that still apply, and how teams exploit them.
A free hit is awarded to the batting side following a no-ball. On the free hit delivery, the batter can only be dismissed by a run out, obstructing the field, or handling the ball — the conventional dismissals (caught, bowled, LBW, stumped) do not apply. The fielding restriction for the no-ball applies to the free hit as well.
When Is a Free Hit Awarded
- In T20 and ODI cricket: every no-ball results in a free hit on the next delivery
- The free hit signal: the on-field umpire circles their arm above their head — like a helicopter rotor
- The scoreboard usually shows 'FREE HIT' in text so the crowd is aware
- If the free hit delivery is also a no-ball, another free hit is awarded for the next ball
- In Test cricket, free hits are NOT used — no-balls simply add a run and the over continues
Dismissal Modes on a Free Hit
| Dismissal Type | Applies on Free Hit? |
|---|---|
| Bowled | No |
| Caught | No |
| LBW | No |
| Stumped | No |
| Run out | Yes |
| Obstructing the field | Yes |
| Handling the ball | Yes (though very rare) |
How Batters Exploit Free Hits
With no possibility of being bowled, caught, or LBW, batters play high-risk shots they would never normally attempt. Full tosses are hit maximally over any fielder. Yorkers are scooped. Any delivery can be aimed at the biggest boundary with no downside. In T20 cricket, a free hit from a no-ball in the 19th or 20th over can swing the final total by 6–10 runs — a no-ball at death is extremely costly.
Fielding Restrictions on Free Hit Deliveries
The fielding restriction that applied for the no-ball also applies for the free hit. If the no-ball was bowled during the powerplay with 2 fielders outside the circle, the free hit is also bowled with only 2 fielders outside the circle. Fielding captains cannot move fielders to the boundary specifically for the free hit — the fielding positions must remain as they were for the no-ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is a free hit in cricket?
A free hit is the delivery following a no-ball in T20 and ODI cricket. The batter cannot be dismissed caught, bowled, LBW, or stumped on that delivery — only a run out can dismiss them.
Is there a free hit in Test cricket?
No — free hits do not apply in Test cricket. In Test matches, a no-ball simply adds one run to the batting total, but the next delivery is a normal ball on which any dismissal can occur.
Can a batter score six off a free hit?
Yes — a batter can score any number of runs from a free hit, including hitting a six. The free hit simply removes the risk of conventional dismissals, encouraging maximum aggression.