No-ball and free hit rules
A no-ball is an illegal delivery. The batting side gets a one-run penalty, and the ball does not count as one of the six in the over. In limited-overs matches, the next ball is also a free hit.
Common reasons for a no-ball
- Front foot: no part of the bowler's front foot, grounded or raised, is behind the popping crease when it lands.
- Back foot: the back foot lands touching or outside the return crease.
- Beamer: a full toss passes above the batter's waist height.
- Too many bouncers: the bowler goes over the limit of short-pitched balls allowed in an over.
- Throwing: the bowler straightens the arm illegally during delivery.
- Field placing: more than two fielders stand behind square on the leg side, or fielding restrictions are broken.
- Other: the ball bounces more than twice or rolls along the ground before reaching the batter.
How many runs does a no-ball give?
The batting side gets one extra run. Any runs the batter scores off the ball are added on top. So a no-ball hit for six adds seven runs.
What is a free hit?
In international limited-overs cricket, every no-ball is followed by a free hit. On that delivery, the batter can only be out in the ways allowed off a no-ball.
Ways you can still be out on a free hit
- Run out
- Hit the ball twice
- Obstructing the field
If the free hit is itself a wide or a no-ball, the free hit carries on to the next ball. The fielding side cannot change field placements for the free hit, unless the batters have swapped ends.
How no-ball runs are scored
| What happened | Runs to the team | How it is recorded |
|---|---|---|
| No-ball, not hit, no runs taken | 1 | 1 no-ball extra |
| No-ball hit for four | 5 | 1 no-ball extra, 4 runs to the batter |
| No-ball hit for six | 7 | 1 no-ball extra, 6 runs to the batter |
| No-ball, batters run 2 without hitting it | 3 | All 3 recorded as no-ball extras |
No-ball runs count against the bowler's figures. The ball still counts as a ball faced by the batter, even though it is not one of the six in the over.
The front-foot rule in detail
This is the most common no-ball. When the front foot lands, some part of it must be behind the popping crease. The foot can be on the line, as long as part of it is behind. It does not have to be touching the ground behind the line. If the whole foot lands beyond the line, it is a no-ball.
A simple way to remember it: the line belongs to the umpire. Some of the foot must be behind the back edge of the line.
Bouncer limits
A bouncer is a ball that passes above the batter's shoulder height when they stand upright. International cricket limits how many a bowler can bowl in an over.
| Format | Bouncers allowed per over |
|---|---|
| Test | 2 |
| ODI | 2 |
| T20 international | 1 |
Some leagues allow more. Check the playing conditions of the event.
Beamers
A beamer is a full toss that passes above the batter's waist height. It is always a no-ball because it is dangerous. If the umpire thinks it was deliberate, or a bowler bowls two dangerous beamers, the bowler can be taken off for the rest of the innings.
A short history of the free hit
The free hit was introduced in ODIs in 2007, but only for front-foot no-balls. In 2015 it was extended to every type of no-ball in limited-overs internationals. It is now standard in T20 leagues too.
Frequently asked questions
How many runs is a no-ball worth?
It gives one penalty run to the batting side, plus any runs scored from that ball.
Can you be bowled on a free hit?
No. On a free hit you can only be out run out, hit the ball twice or obstructing the field.
Is there a free hit in Test cricket?
No. Free hits are used in limited-overs cricket such as ODIs and T20s.
Does a no-ball count as a ball faced?
Yes. A no-ball counts as a ball faced by the batter, but it does not count as one of the six legal balls in the over.
Is a beamer always a no-ball?
Yes. Any full toss that passes above the batter's waist height is a no-ball.
Can a free hit be caught?
The batter cannot be out caught on a free hit, even if a fielder takes a clean catch.