No-Ball in Cricket — Types, Penalties & the Free Hit Rule
What counts as a no-ball in cricket? Learn the front-foot, high full toss, bouncer, and fielding restriction no-ball types, plus why only front-foot no-balls earn a free hit.
A no-ball in cricket is an illegal delivery that results in a penalty for the bowling side: one extra run is added to the batting team's score, and the delivery must be re-bowled (it does not count as one of the over's six legal balls). Certain types of no-ball also earn the batting side a free hit on the next delivery.
Types of no-ball
| Type | Rule | Free hit? |
|---|---|---|
| Front-foot no-ball | Bowler's front foot lands beyond the popping crease | Yes |
| High full toss | Ball passes above waist height without bouncing (above hips on impact) | No |
| Excess bouncer | More than 2 bouncers per over per batter in Tests/ODIs; 1 per over in T20Is | No |
| Fielding restriction violation | Too many fielders outside the circle during powerplay | No |
| Dangerous short-pitched delivery | Ball pitches short and passes above the shoulder | No |
Front-foot no-ball — the most common
The front-foot no-ball occurs when the bowler's front foot (the foot that lands first when bowling) goes past the popping crease (the white line at the bowling end) before the ball is released. The ball can bounce anywhere on the pitch — the no-ball is called purely based on where the foot lands. TV broadcasts usually show a crease camera replay for front-foot no-ball decisions.
High full toss no-ball
A full toss is a ball that reaches the batsman without bouncing. If it passes above waist height (roughly the hips on impact), it is called a no-ball for being a 'dangerous' delivery. The batsman gets one extra run. This type of no-ball does NOT earn a free hit. In T20 internationals, the umpire has the right to call two consecutive high full tosses as a wide as well.
Bouncer limits
Bouncers — short-pitched deliveries that rise sharply towards the batsman — are limited per over to protect batters. In Test cricket: a maximum of 2 bouncers per over per batsman. In T20Is: a maximum of 1 bouncer per over per batsman (any extra bouncer is a no-ball). Any ball that passes above shoulder height is automatically a wide (or no-ball if the bowler has also overstepped).
Dismissals on a no-ball
When a no-ball is called, most dismissal methods are invalid on that delivery. The batsman CANNOT be out bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket off a no-ball. The only dismissals allowed on a no-ball are: run out, obstructing the field, handled the ball (historic), and hit the ball twice. The batting side receives the penalty run regardless of any other event on the delivery.
No-ball scenario
A bowler oversteps and the ball strikes the top of off stump with the bails flying. The umpire calls no-ball — the batsman is NOT out bowled, and the batting team gets one extra run. On the next delivery, the batsman also gets a free hit because it was a front-foot no-ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is a no-ball in cricket?
A no-ball is an illegal delivery. The most common type is a front-foot no-ball, where the bowler's front foot lands beyond the popping crease. A no-ball gives one extra run to the batting side, must be re-bowled, and (if front-foot) earns a free hit on the next delivery.
Does a high full toss give a free hit?
No. A high full toss (above waist height) is a no-ball and gives one extra run plus a re-bowl, but it does NOT earn a free hit. Only a front-foot no-ball (overstepping the crease) triggers a free hit in T20 and ODI cricket.
Can a batsman be out on a no-ball?
On a no-ball, the batsman cannot be bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket. The only valid dismissals on a no-ball are run out, obstructing the field, and hit the ball twice.
How many bouncers are allowed per over in T20 cricket?
In T20 internationals, a maximum of 1 bouncer per over per batsman is allowed. Any additional bouncer is called a no-ball. In Tests, the limit is 2 bouncers per over per batsman.