No-Ball in Cricket — Rules, Types, Free Hit & Penalties
A no-ball is an illegal delivery that costs the bowling team a run and, in limited-overs cricket, awards the batter a free hit. Learn every type of no-ball and how penalties work.
A no-ball in cricket is an illegal delivery bowled by the fielding side. It adds one run to the batting team's extras, cannot dismiss the batter (with certain exceptions), and requires the bowler to re-bowl the delivery. In T20 and ODI cricket, a no-ball for overstepping the crease also triggers a free hit — an additional delivery on which the batter can only be dismissed by a run-out.
Types of No-Ball
- Front foot no-ball: the bowler's front foot lands beyond or on the popping crease at delivery — the most common type
- Back foot no-ball: the bowler's back foot touches or crosses the return crease on either side
- Full pitch above waist: a full-toss delivery that reaches the batter above waist height on the full
- Beamer: a full-toss aimed above the batter's waist — a serious no-ball with potential for the bowler to be removed from bowling
- Fielding restriction no-ball: more than the permitted number of fielders outside the fielding restriction circle
- Bouncer no-ball: more than the permitted number of bouncers per over (one per over in T20Is, two per over in Tests and ODIs)
- Dangerous short-pitched delivery: a second bouncer in an over becomes a no-ball in limited overs cricket
The Free Hit
Introduced in T20 cricket and later adopted in ODIs, the free hit is awarded when a bowler delivers a front-foot no-ball (overstepping). The very next delivery becomes a free hit: the batter cannot be dismissed by any means other than a run-out, handling the ball, obstruction, or hitting the ball twice. The fielding restrictions from the no-ball delivery are maintained. Crucially, if the free hit delivery is itself a wide or no-ball, the next delivery after that also becomes a free hit.
How Is a No-Ball Signalled?
The on-field umpire signals a no-ball by extending one arm horizontally. If technology is available (Hawk-Eye or the TV umpire), the square-leg umpire may use replays to check front-foot no-balls. In elite cricket, the third umpire can check any delivery for no-ball if a wicket falls — a system introduced to reduce the impact of dismissed batters from illegal deliveries.
No-Ball Dismissals — What Can and Cannot Dismiss a Batter
| Dismissal Type | Possible Off a No-Ball? |
|---|---|
| Bowled | No |
| Caught | No |
| LBW | No |
| Stumped | No |
| Hit wicket | No |
| Run out | Yes |
| Handled the ball / obstruction | Yes |
| Hit the ball twice | Yes |
Famous Free Hit That Changed a Match
2016 ICC World T20 Final, Eden Gardens: West Indies needed 19 off the last over from Ben Stokes. A no-ball was called during the over, granting a free hit. Carlos Brathwaite used the extra deliveries — hitting four consecutive sixes — to win the match for West Indies. Stokes' legal over would have been sufficient; the no-ball dramatically altered the equation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a no-ball count as one of the over's six deliveries?
No. A no-ball is a 'dead' delivery that does not count towards the over. An extra ball must be bowled to complete the required six legitimate deliveries.
Can a batter be out stumped off a no-ball?
No. Stumping is not permitted off a no-ball. However, the batter can still be run out if they leave their crease and fail to make their ground.
Is a free hit always awarded for a no-ball?
No. Only a front-foot no-ball (overstepping the crease) triggers a free hit in ODI and T20 cricket. Other types of no-ball (fielding restriction, height, etc.) do not result in a free hit.