NO Balls in Cricket: Bowling a NO Ball in Cricket is like a crime these days. In the older days, the bowlers used to get away quite easily after they bowled a no-ball.
The batter used to get one extra run and one more ball. But nowadays, if a bowler bowls a no-ball then the batter will not only get one extra run and ball. They would also get a free hit.
The batters can be out when they are stumped or run out. Bowling a no ball also allows the opposition team to gain the lost momentum back.
However, these rules are only applicable to the limited-overs games like One-Day Internationals, T20 Internationals and the franchise tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL). But still not in the traditional format like Test match Cricket.
We are familiar with just two types of No Balls in Cricket. But today, in this segment we will bring a list of 13 more and overall 15 types of such illegal deliveries in this game of bat and ball -
The front foot no-ball is the most common thing and it has been in this game since cricket has been played over the years.
When a bowler puts his foot above the white line, which is also known as the popping crease, then that delivery is called a front foot no-ball.
First, this decision was called by the on-field umpires and many times the bowlers used to get away with that.
But now, the front foot no balls are called by the third umpire who watches the whole match proceedings on the big screen and that’s the reason why the bowlers cannot get away.
The front foot of the bowler should be behind the popping crease/white line when they deliver the ball. Then only it is called a legal delivery.
The second common thing in cricket which has been popular nowadays is the waist height no-ball. When a bowler bowls a full toss delivery that goes above the height of the batter then that delivery is called waist height no-ball.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a rule that if a bowler bowls two waist height no-ball in a match then he can be removed by the on-field umpires.
The ICC laws and rules also take care of the batter and they don’t allow deliveries which are dangerous and they can cause injury to the batsmen.
A Bowler is bowling a back foot no-ball is not heard. But it is in the rules of the ICC. The rule says that if a bowler erases the white line or the popping crease while delivering the ball then that ball can be called a no-ball.
There are two white lines which are made on the pitch on either end at the right angles. Those lines are made for the batters and bowlers.
The rule says that the bowler’s back foot shouldn’t touch the popping crease while delivering the ball. If it touches that then the on-field umpires can call it a no-ball.
It is also a no-ball according to the rules of cricket. The umpire has the right to call those deliveries which pass or would have passed over the head when the batter is in his stance at the crease.
The on-field umpires can declare a no-ball if the bowler purposely keeps bowling the dangerous short-pitched balls.
If a ball bounces multiple times and reaches the batter who is in his stance at the popping crease, then that delivery is considered a no-ball. This is also a part of the rules of the game
A bowler cant ball a delivery which lands outside the playing area which is even called as 24 yards. That delivery is illegal and it can be called as a no-ball.
When the bowler has not completed the delivery stride and yet he/she breaks the stumps thinking that a batter at the no-striker is not on the popping crease, that delivery is considered a no-ball.
The bowler should complete his bowling action and then if he/she breaks the stumps then that is Mankading, which is legal now.
Chucking means throwing the ball. That is not allowed in cricket. Many good bowlers who had this action have been suspended for life.
A bowler can extend his arm and elbow to 15 degrees. If they do more than this then their action will be illegal according to the rules.
In gully cricket, underarm bowling is okay to deal with. But in International Cricket, this bowling action is not allowed and it is termed as illegal since the 1981 world series.
The bowler should make sure that the batter at the striker’s end is ready to face the delivery. If the bowler doesn’t care not doesn’t feel the need to do so is not allowed in the game and it is considered a no-ball.
According to the laws, the bowler should inform the umpire which action, right arm or left arm, he/she will be bowling and also should let the umpire know whether he/she would be bowling pace or spin and around the wicket or over the wicket.
The bowler should deliver the ball to the batter first and then it can go to any fielder. If it goes to the fielder first instead of the batter at the striker’s end, then that delivery is called a no-ball.
Not more than two fielders are allowed on the on side. If this comes to the notice of the umpires on the field then they (umpires) can declare that delivery as a no-ball.
A ball cannot stop or rest before it reaches the batter at the striker’s end. It should directly reach the batter. If it stops before, then the umpire has the right to call it a no-ball.
The list ends with another most common rule in cricket. The wicket-keeper must assume a position behind the stumps and is forbidden from standing in front of them.
If the keeper breaches this rule, the delivery is regarded as a no-ball.
A keeper is only allowed to collect the ball in front of the stumps when a batter tries to steal a run.
