What is a no-ball, and what happens after one?
B · Beginner · What is a fair ball, and what does a foul ball cost? · 5 of 14A no-ball is an illegal delivery, most often because the bowler overstepped: no part of the front foot landed behind the crease line. The batting side gets one extra run, the ball must be bowled again and the batter cannot be bowled, caught, LBW or stumped off it.
How it works
The main reasons for a no-ball:
- Front foot: when the front foot lands, some part of it must be behind the crease line. The part behind can be in the air.
- Back foot: the back foot must land inside the side line (the return crease), not touching it.
- Throwing: the bowler must not straighten the elbow once the arm has reached shoulder height.
- Full toss above the waist: a ball that reaches the batter without bouncing, above waist height.
- Too many bouncers: more short balls above shoulder height in an over than the playing conditions allow.
- Others, rarer: the ball bouncing more than once or rolling; more than two fielders other than the wicketkeeper behind the batter's crease on the leg side; the wicketkeeper's gloves in front of the stumps; a fielder touching the ball before the batter does.
After a no-ball:
- The batting side gets one run, plus any runs they make off the ball.
- The bowler has to bowl the ball again.
- The batter can be out only by run out, hitting the ball twice or obstructing the field.
Tricky cases
Is it a no-ball if the bowler's heel is raised behind the line?
No. The front foot only needs some part behind the line, on the ground or in the air.
Can a batter be bowled off a no-ball?
No. Bowled, caught, LBW and stumped are all ruled out.
How high is too high for a full toss?
Above the waist of the batter standing upright at the crease, not crouching. That is a no-ball.
Who checks the front foot in international cricket?
The third umpire, for every ball, in ICC men's internationals. The umpire on the field does not call it.
Can a batter be run out off a no-ball?
Yes.
What happens if a bowler bowls a no-ball on purpose?
The bowler is taken off at once and cannot bowl again in the match. This applies to a deliberate front-foot no-ball, under the Laws and in ICC internationals.
Why the rule exists
It keeps the contest fair and safe. A bowler who oversteps is bowling from closer than allowed; a thrown ball is faster than a bowled one; high full tosses and too many bouncers can injure the batter.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ODIs and T20 internationals | The next ball is a free hit | PC-O 21.18, PC-I 21.18 |
| Tests | No free hit | PC-T (no clause) |
| Bouncers | Two short balls above shoulder height an over in Tests and ODIs, one in T20 internationals; any more is a no-ball | PC-T 41.6.1.4, PC-O 41.6.1.4, PC-I 41.6.1.4 |
| ICC men's internationals | The third umpire calls front-foot no-balls | PC-O 5.5 |
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 21.2, 21.5, 21.7, 21.9, 21.10, 21.14 to 21.17 and 41.7, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. ICC men's playing conditions, October 2026, as listed above. Checked 13 October 2026. Official documents: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF); ICC playing conditions (PDF).