Why a delivery is a no-ball
The bowler oversteps the popping crease, the front foot lands outside the return crease, the arm is illegal, or the ball is dangerous or unfair. The umpire calls it and the scorer records it.
What a no-ball costs
It is one extra run, plus any runs off the bat. The bowler has to bowl the ball again, so it is not a legal ball.
The free hit
In formats that use it, the next delivery after a no-ball is a free hit. The batter cannot be dismissed bowled, LBW, caught or stumped from it. A run out, a hit wicket or handled ball can still happen. Runs off the bat count to the batter.
What the scorer records
- nb with the no-ball run.
- Any runs off the bat credited to the batter.
- FH against the next ball if a free hit applies.
- The bowler's analysis: the no-ball counts against the bowler, but not as a legal ball.
Common mistakes
- Missing the free hit, so a dismissal is recorded that should not count.
- Crediting the no-ball run to the batter.
- Forgetting that the next ball is also a free hit, even if the batter is out.
Citations
MCC Laws of Cricket, the section on no-balls. Check the playing conditions for free hits.
Match questions
Questions scorers actually ask
- 01 Does a no-ball count as a legal ball?
- No. The bowler has to bowl again, and it does not count toward the six balls of the over.
- 02 Is every no-ball followed by a free hit?
- Only in formats that use the free hit. Check the playing conditions.
- 03 Who gets the no-ball run?
- The batting side gets the run as an extra. It is not credited to the batter or the bowler’s runs off the bat.
