noballs

Noballs, or no-balls, are illegal deliveries in cricket that carry penalties for the bowling side and affect how an over is completed. The umpire signals a no-ball by raising one arm and declaring the delivery invalid. The term is used across formats, from informal games to international cricket.

Common causes include the bowler’s front foot landing entirely beyond the popping crease (a front-foot no-ball) and deliveries made with an illegal bowling action, such as throwing. The laws also cover other unfair deliveries, but the two principales are foot faults and improper action. The no-ball verdict does not depend on the ball’s trajectory after release; it is determined by how the ball is delivered.

The consequences of a noball are significant. The batting side is awarded one penalty run, and the delivery does not count as a legal ball in the over. In addition, the over must be re-bowled, meaning an extra ball is added to the over. In many formats, a no-ball also gives the batting side a “free hit” on the next delivery, during which the batsman cannot be dismissed by most ordinary methods (with some exceptions, such as run out). The batsman may still attempt runs off the no-ball itself, and the batting side benefits from any runs scored off the bat on that delivery.

Noballs are a routine feature and are regarded as a mechanism to deter illegal bowling and to ensure fair play. Scorekeeping typically records noballs as extras and notes the additional ball required to complete the over. The exact penalties can vary slightly by format and competition.