Summary
A delivery is a no-ball if the bowler oversteps the crease, bowls a dangerous full toss, exceeds bouncer limits, or breaks other bowling laws. A no-ball awards one extra run and a free hit in limited-overs cricket.
Full Explanation
The no-ball law covers several types of illegal deliveries:
1. Front foot no-ball: The bowler's front foot must land behind (or on) the popping crease. Any part of the foot behind the line is sufficient. 2. Back foot no-ball: The bowler's back foot must land within the return crease. 3. Height no-ball: A full toss above waist height is a no-ball and called dangerous (above shoulder height is also a no-ball for pace bowlers). 4. Bouncer limits: In ODIs and T20Is, only one bouncer per over is allowed (two in Tests). Exceeding the limit results in a no-ball. 5. Beamer: A delivery that reaches the batsman above waist height without bouncing. Two beamers in an innings and the bowler is removed from the attack.
Since 2016, the ICC has used technology to check front-foot no-balls, with the third umpire monitoring every delivery in international matches. This was introduced after concerns that umpires were missing many no-balls.
Key Points
- •Front foot must land behind or on the popping crease
- •One bouncer per over in ODIs/T20Is, two in Tests
- •Full toss above waist height is a no-ball
- •Two beamers and the bowler is removed from the attack
- •Free hit awarded after a no-ball in LOIs (since 2007)
- •Third umpire now checks front foot in international matches
Notable Controversies
- •Pakistan Lord's 2010 — deliberate no-balls bowled as part of spot-fixing
- •Many matches in history lost due to no-balls on the last ball
- •Technology for checking front-foot no-balls was delayed for years
- •IPL has had several incorrect no-ball calls that affected match outcomes
Related Rules
Free Hit
After a no-ball in limited-overs cricket, the next delivery is a free hit where the batsman cannot be dismissed by the bowler (caught, bowled, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket).
Bouncer / Short-Pitched Bowling Rules
Limits on the number of short-pitched deliveries (bouncers) a bowler can bowl per over — 2 in Tests, 1 in ODIs/T20Is. Introduced after the Bodyline era led to safety concerns.
Beamer (Dangerous Full Toss)
A full toss above waist height is a no-ball. Two beamers in an innings and the bowler is removed from the attack.