The no ball rules in cricket represent one of the most frustrating setbacks a bowler can face. Widely viewed as a criminal act from the bowling side, it’s often the last thing you want, especially in a tightly poised contest. Not only do u allow the opposition to sneak an extra run and an extra delivery to score off, but these days all types of no ball in cricket are accompanied by a free hit. Batter gets the freedom to go big while not having to worry about his or her wicket. Such a scenario can severely hinder the bowling team’s ability to restrict a batting side in a limited-overs game. Unfortunately, it is the bowler who typically has to bear the brunt of bowling a no ball in cricket.

What is a No Ball in Cricket? (Brief Definition)

The no ball rules in cricket were first introduced sometime in the 1780s. No ball in cricket constitutes an illegal delivery by the bowler that violates rules regarding foot placement, bowling action, or safety, resulting in a 1-run penalty and an extra ball. An umpire issues a no ball by extending one arm horizontally to the side. Following this, for a free hit, they raise one hand and rotate it in a circular motion above their head. This signal indicates that the batter can play his/her shots with utmost freedom in the following ball, without having to worry about getting dismissed. (Certain restrictions under no ball out rules still apply) Back in the day, the lawmakers mandated that for a delivery to be fair, the bowler shall deliver the cricket ball with one foot behind the bowling crease and within the return crease.

Earlier in the day, the cricket no ball rules were primarily confined to foot-fault no balls alone. For a delivery to be legal in terms of the front foot, some part of the bowler’s front foot must remain behind the line. However, as generations rolled by, the scope of the no ball rule was broadened to feature numerous other forms of no ball rules in cricket, such as waist height and bouncer no ball rules.

All Types of Cricket No Ball Rules

There are over 20 types of no ball in cricket according to MCC Cricket Law 21.7. These no ball rules are generally categorized into bowler infringements, dangerous deliveries, and fielding restrictions. Common types of no ball rules n cricket include front-foot overstepping, back-foot faults, waist-high full tosses (beamers), and the bouncer no ball rule.

• Popping crease no ball rules (a.k.a foot fault no ball)
• Waist height no ball rules (Any non-pitching presumably passing above waist)
• Height no ball rules
• Double bounce no ball rules (Ball bouncing more than once before reaching the batter)
• Wicket keeper no ball rules (Keeper collecting the ball in front of the stumps)
• Chucking (Illegal bowling action)
• Fielder encroaching on the pitch
• Bowler breaking the stumps while delivering the ball
• Leg side no ball rules (Applicable in limited-overs format)
• Fielding restriction violation (Powerplay no ball rules)
• Under-arm bowling (the rarest type of no ball rule)
• Back foot no ball (back foot touching the return crease)
• Ball pitching outside the pitch no ball rule
• Change of Action/Side without prior approval from umpire

While we may not have the capacity to cover all types of no ball rules in cricket, in this article, we will try to go beyond the traditional concept of a front-foot no ball in cricket and explore other mainstream types of no ball rules in cricket. Remember, the bowler is not always the guilty party here!

Waist Height No Ball Rules In Cricket

The waist height no ball rules in cricket are one of the most contentious rules of the game. It’s also one of the hardest decisions to make as an umpire and has long fueled controversies and intense on-field clashes between players and match officials. The game can swing either way if the waist height no ball in cricket is not called correctly without the help of technology.

While it may not always be easy to correctly assess waist height no balls all the time, the fundamental principle behind this ruling is based on a rather simple concept, which can be understood by any ardent cricket lover.

The waist height no ball rules in cricket are covered under Law 41.1 of the MCC Laws of Cricket. It states that any delivery which passes or would have presumably passed over the waist height of a batter standing upright at the popping crease, then a no ball must be called by the umpire.

41.7 Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries

41.7.1 Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is unfair. Whenever such a delivery is bowled, the umpire shall call and signal No ball.

Law 41 (Unfair Play)

Height no ball rules in cricket (When it is NOT A NO BALL)

Let’s explore another instance of when a delivery is not deemed a waist high no ball in cricket. A batter can’t just merely skip down the track and meet the cricket ball on the full and then expect the no ball rule to come to his/her benefit.

In such a scenario, ONLY the batter’s original position will be considered while adjudicating the waist height no ball rules in cricket. Take a look at the illustration video above to understand how the bowler, T Natarajan, got a massive reprieve under the waist height no ball rule as Ben Stokes had advanced a long way down the wicket to meet the ball.

Height No Ball Rules in Cricket

Did you know that, as a bowler, you can also get called for a no-ball due to height? This is where the height no ball rule in cricket comes into the picture. Also known as the bouncer no ball rule in cricket, the height no ball rule applies when a bowler exceeds their quota of bowling bouncers in an over. According to the new no ball rules in cricket imposed by the ICC under the second bounce ruling, a bowler is only allowed to bowl a maximum of 2 bouncers each in an ODI or a Test match, while only one bouncer is allowed in T20 cricket. As soon as the cricket ball is delivered above shoulder height, the concerned umpire signals one bouncer for the over by tapping his or her opposite shoulder with their hand.

For a complete explanation of this rule with detailed illustrations and examples, check out the Height No Ball Rule in Cricket.

Bowler Breaking Wicket No Ball Rules in Cricket

A bowler can now be penalized for a no ball in cricket if he or she, while delivering the cricket ball, makes contact with the bowler’s end stumps and subsequently breaks them in the process. This variant of no ball rules in cricket will also apply even if the wickets are broken with the help of a bowler’s clothing.

Cricket law 21.7, which specifically covers all possible scenarios of no ball rules in cricket, describes the exact circumstances that might lead to a bowler being called for a no-ball for breaking the wicket.

21.7 Bowler breaking wicket in delivering ball
If the ball is delivered and if the non-striker is not dismissed under Law 41.16 (Non-striker leaving his/her ground early), either umpire shall call and signal No ball if the bowler breaks the wicket at any time after the ball comes into play and before completion of the stride after the delivery stride. This shall include any clothing or other object that falls from his/her person and breaks the wicket. See Appendix A.12. Laws 20.4.2.8, 20.4.2.10 (Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball) and 21.12 will apply.

Law 21 (No Ball Law)

Instances of this type of no ball rule in cricket is generally not seen on a widespread scale. While it might be a rarity in modern-day cricket, players at the amateur level or from junior cricket are generally more susceptible to bowling such a type of no ball in cricket. Additionally, bowlers who get too close to the stumps while in their delivery stride risk flicking the stumps with their bowling arm. You might be interested in checking out how New Zealand’s Zak Foulkes wicket-breaking no ball in cricket proved costly for his side.

Ball Bouncing More Than Once (Second Bounce No Ball Rules In Cricket)

We begin this section by asking ourselves – Is two bounce a no ball in cricket? The short answer is yes!

But let’s dig deeper to uncover what the exact rule has to say. It’s seen as a moment of embarrassment for the bowler if a cricket ball delivered reaches the batter after bouncing more than once. It’s often the sluggish nature of the delivery that causes it to bounce twice before it reaches the batter. This gives away the impression that the bowler is simply not quick enough, which can, in turn, be a morale crusher.

According to MCC Law 21.7, the umpires are required to signal a no ball in cricket if they consider the ball to have either bounced more than once before reaching the striker’s popping crease or rolled along the turf.

21.7 Ball bouncing more than once, rolling along the ground or pitching off the pitch
The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he/she considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker,
bounces more than once or rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease

Law 21 (No Ball Law)

Did you know you could also be called for a no ball in cricket if the ball pitches outside the pitch? Yes, you heard it right, but only in certain instances. Know what the rules say if the ball pitches outside the pitch by visiting the link below.

Wicket Keeper Encroachment No Ball Rules in Cricket

Under the No ball rules in cricket, a wicket-keeper’s encroachment is a specific type of no ball in cricket that occurs when the keeper does not remain in the correct position at the time the ball is delivered.

Wondering how this unfolds in a real-life scenario?

Well, according to Law 27.3, the entire body of the wicket-keeper must fully remain behind the wickets till the cricket ball has either made contact with the bat or the batter’s body, or gone past the striker’s wicket. Failure to meet either of those conditions can lead to a call of no ball in cricket.

27.3 Position of wicket-keeper
27.3.1 The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler
touches the bat or person of the striker or
passes the wicket at the striker’s end or
the striker attempts a run.
27.3.2 In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball.

Law 27 (Wicket-keeper)

Such types of no ball rules in cricket can only be applied effectively with the use of technology. But for the naked eye to judge, this could be a tall order to fill. And as always, all types of no ball in cricket come with an added punishment which needs to be faced by the bowler.

Fielder Encroachment No Ball Rules in Cricket

The no ball rules in cricket hardly spare anyone from the fielding side, though it is the bowler alone who has to suffer all the consequences. In this type of no ball rule in cricket, the sin originates from a close-in fielder rather than the bowler.

According to clause 28.5 of the Fielder Law, from the moment the bowler starts his/her run up to the point the ball makes contact with the bat, no fielder reserves the right to extend his/her body or clothing over the pitch. If any of the possibilities were to occur, the concerned umpire would call and signal no ball.

28.5 Fielders not to encroach on pitch
While the ball is in play and until the ball has made contact with the striker’s bat or person, or has passed the striker’s bat, no fielder, other than the bowler, may have any part of his/her person grounded on or extended over the pitch.

Law 28 (Fielder law)

The occurrence of such types of no ball in cricket is usually rare. But encroachment from fielders and the wicket-keeper has occurred in the history of the game. You’d normally get close to seeing these no ball rules in cricket take effect during a Test match, where more players can be seen surrounding the batter when spin is in operation.

No Ball Rules in Cricket Dictated By Fielding Restrictions

Much to the ire of the bowlers, fielders fuel more agony when they find themselves wrongly positioned in the field while the ball is in play. It’s primarily caused when the fielding team has more than the required number of players outside the 30-yard circle. This type of cricket no ball rule originally stems from a fielding infringement, and the punishment for it is one extra run to the opposition followed by a free-hit.

So, how do the fielding violation no ball rules in cricket apply in real-time? The regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) dictate how many fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle depending on the match format. The no ball rules in T20 cricket allow a fielding side to have a maximum of five fielders outside the ring after the completion of the first 6 overs. However, the no ball rules differ considerably in the ODI format, where fielding restrictions are divided across three main types of powerplay as highlighted in the table below.

Cricket No Ball Rules (Fielding Restriction)	Test (Max fielders allowed)	ODI (Max fielders allowed)	T20I (Max fielders allowed)
Fielders Behind Square	Not more than 2 fielders can be placed behind the square leg umpire	Stays same	Stays same
Fielders inside 30-yard circle	Does not apply	P1 – 2 fielders outside P2- 4 fielders to be outside P3- 5 fielders can be out	Over 1-6: Max 2 fielders outside After 6 overs: Max 5 fielders outside

No Ball Out Rules in Cricket: When Can a Batter Be Dismissed?

While the no ball rules in cricket invalidate a majority of the dismissals, the batter can still find ways of being dismissed. Under the no ball out rules in cricket, a batter can be dismissed in three different ways. They are as follows:

• Run out: Either batter can be dismissed in the event of a no ball if he/she wanders outside their crease while the wickets are broken by the fielder at their end.
• Hit the ball twice: This mode of dismissal falls under rare cricket no ball out rules in cricket. Although very uncommon in this day and age, a batter can be out hit the ball twice if he/she is deemed to have hit the ball twice even in the case of no ball.
• Obstructing the field: This is a very controversial mode of dismissal under no ball out rules in cricket. But if any batter is unfortunate enough to block the catch of a throw of a fielding side in the event of a no ball, then regardless of the consequences, the batter will be dismissed.

Interestingly, these no ball out rules in cricket stay the same even when a batter is awarded a free hit. (Applicable only in limited-overs cricket)

FAQ on No Ball Rules In Cricket

Departing Thoughts on No Ball Rules in Cricket

A no ball in cricket carries costly repercussions for the bowling side. A bowler can get it entirely wrong in so many different ways. By now, you must have understood that the cricket no ball rules are very extensive and are not merely confined to front-foot no-balls alone. But in most cases, apart from fielding infringement and keeper encroaching, it’s within the bowler’s control to curtail the no balls. But Game pressure and intense match situations can often dent the mental composure of a bowler, leading him or her to deliver a dreadful no ball in cricket.

If you found our guide on no ball rules in cricket helpful, then you might be interested in knowing what our rulebook has to say about the pitching outside off LBW rule in cricket.