In cricket, a no-ball is a delivery that is deemed illegal under the Laws of Cricket. The reasons for a delivery being called a no-ball are varied and pertain to fairness and safety within the game. The umpire signals a no-ball by extending one arm horizontally and shouting "No-ball!".
The primary consequences of a no-ball are:
- Penalty Run(s): The batting team immediately scores one run (or more, depending on the specific reason for the no-ball) which is added to their total as extras. These runs are not attributed to any individual batter.
- Free Hit (in certain formats): In some limited-overs formats (primarily Twenty20 and One Day Internationals), the delivery following a no-ball results in a "free hit" for the batter. During a free hit, the batter cannot be dismissed except by run out, handling the ball, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice. The fielders also have restrictions during a free hit to prevent unfair fielding positions.
- The delivery does not count: The no-ball delivery must be bowled again, meaning it does not count towards the over.
Common reasons for a no-ball being called include:
- Foot Fault: The bowler's front foot landing partially or wholly beyond the popping crease. The entire foot must be behind the popping crease at the moment the foot lands.
- Throwing: The bowler illegally straightening their arm during the bowling action. This is strictly policed and rarely occurs intentionally at higher levels of cricket.
- Dangerous Bowling: Bowling a delivery that is deemed dangerous, such as a beamer (a ball that reaches the batter above waist height without bouncing) or bowling multiple short-pitched deliveries that are considered intimidating.
- Fielding Restrictions: Having too many fielders outside a designated area (e.g., the 30-yard circle in limited-overs cricket) when the ball is bowled.
- Bouncing More Than Twice: A delivery that bounces more than twice before reaching the batter.
- Illegal Action: Any other action by the bowler that contravenes the Laws of Cricket regarding fair delivery of the ball. This includes any unfair or dangerous action.
