Cricket No Balls: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding

 

In cricket, a series of regulations aim to maintain fairness between batters and bowlers, and one of the key rules involves the cricket no balls. A no-ball is an illegal delivery bowled by the bowler, resulting in an extra run awarded to the batting team. Additionally, in limited-over formats, a no-ball gives the batting side a free hit opportunity. Crucially, a no-ball does not count as one of the six legal deliveries required to complete an over, a rule that applies in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) cricket.

No-balls, along with wides, byes, leg byes, and penalties, constitute the five types of extras in cricket. Among these, no-balls feature several variants. Let’s explore the different types of no-balls in cricket and their implications.

All Types of Cricket No Balls

1. Front Foot No-Ball
   A front-foot no-ball is called when any part of the bowler’s foot is over the popping crease at the point of delivery. The popping crease is located approximately four feet in front of the stumps. To deliver legally, the bowler must ensure that at least part of their foot is behind the popping crease when landing. If the foot slides forward afterward, the delivery remains legal.
2. Back Foot No-Ball
   A back-foot no-ball is indicated by the umpire when the bowler’s trailing foot crosses or touches the return crease at the time of ball release. The return crease consists of two lines on either side of the wicket, perpendicular to the bowling and popping creases. According to Law 21.5 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the bowler’s back foot must land within this area.
3. Waist-High No-Ball
   A no-ball for height is signaled by the umpire when the bowler delivers a full toss above the waist of the batsman. According to the ICC’s match clause 41 on unfair play, if a bowler delivers two waist-high full tosses (known as beamers) in a match, the umpire may prevent the bowler from bowling further if deemed dangerous to the batsman.
4. No-Ball: Bouncing Over the Head
   According to MCC Law 21.10, the umpire can declare a no-ball if the ball passes over or would have passed over the head of the striker while standing upright. Additionally, umpires can call a no-ball if the bowler consistently delivers dangerous short-pitched balls, as per Laws 41.6 and 41.7.
5. No-Ball: Delivery Pitching Outside the Playing Area
   If a bowler delivers a ball that pitches outside the playing area or the cut strip before reaching the striker, the umpire can declare it a no-ball.
6. No-Ball: Bowler Disturbing Wickets During Delivery
   If the non-striker remains within their crease without attempting a run, the umpire may call the delivery a no-ball if the bowler breaks the wickets at the non-striker’s end during their delivery stride. This includes instances where clothing or objects cause the stumps to break.
7. No-Ball: Ball Throwing (Chucking)
   Chucking refers to an illegal bowling action where a bowler’s arm extends beyond the permissible limit. Bowlers can only extend their elbow or arm by up to 15 degrees; exceeding this will result in a no-ball.
8. No-Ball: Underarm Delivery
   Underarm bowling, as per Law 21.1.2, is considered a no-ball unless there’s a specific agreement allowing it. Underarm deliveries have been banned since the controversial 1981 World Series match when Trevor Chappell bowled underarm against New Zealand.
9. No-Ball: Throwing the Ball Towards the Striker Before Delivery
   If a bowler releases the ball towards the striker before completing their delivery stride, the umpire will classify it as a no-ball.
10. No-Ball: Failure to Notify Umpires of Mode of Delivery
    Under Law 21.1.1, bowlers must inform the umpire of their delivery mode (e.g., right or left-handed, pace or spin) before delivering the ball. Failure to do so may result in a no-ball being called.
11. No-Ball: Fielder Intercepting Delivery
    If a ball touches a fielder before reaching the striker, their bat, or passes above the stumps, the umpire can declare it a no-ball. In this case, the delivery will be ruled a dead ball immediately.
12. No-Ball: Breaching Fielding Restrictions
    According to MCC Law 28.4, no more than two fielders can be placed behind square leg, excluding the wicketkeeper. If this rule is violated, the umpire will signal a no-ball.
13. No-Ball: Delivery Coming to Rest Before Reaching the Striker
    Under Law 21.8, if a delivery comes to rest in front of the striker without contacting them or their bat after release, it is deemed a no-ball.
14. No-Ball: Wicketkeeper Standing in Front of Stumps
    According to Law 27.3.1, the wicketkeeper must remain behind the stumps at the striker’s end once the ball is in play. If the wicketkeeper collects the ball in front of the stumps before it touches the batter or their body, the umpire may call a no-ball. However, if the batters attempt a run, the wicketkeeper can collect the ball in front of the stumps.

Understanding the various types of no-balls is essential for players and fans alike, as they can significantly impact the outcome of a match and influence the strategies employed by both teams.