An illegal delivery in cricket generally occurs when the bowler breaks specific rules outlined in the Laws of Cricket. According to provided reference, this often happens when a bowler:
- Bowls from too close to the batter.
- Delivers the ball out of the batter's reach.
While the reference provides general reasons for illegal deliveries, there are more specific actions that result in a delivery being deemed illegal. These include:
Types of Illegal Deliveries
In cricket, an illegal delivery is called a "no-ball". Here's a breakdown of common no-ball scenarios:
- Foot Fault: The most common type of no-ball. This occurs if the bowler's foot (or any part of their foot) lands completely outside the return crease or on the popping crease during the delivery stride.
- Overstepping: This is also a foot fault related to the popping crease.
- Throwing (Chucking): A bowler must bowl with a legal arm action. If the arm is straightened during the delivery, it's considered a throw and a no-ball.
- Bouncer Limit: In some formats, there are limits on the number of bouncers (short-pitched deliveries) allowed per over. Exceeding this limit results in a no-ball.
- Dangerous Bowling: If the umpire deems a delivery dangerous or intimidating (e.g., bowled at head height without bouncing), it can be called a no-ball.
- Bowling from off the field: The bowler must deliver the ball from within the field of play.
- The ball bouncing more than twice: The ball must not bounce more than twice before it reaches the batter.
- Fielding Restrictions: Breaching fielding restrictions at the time of delivery can also result in a no-ball.
Consequences of a No-Ball
When a no-ball is called:
- The batting team receives one extra run, which is added to the score as an extra and not attributed to any batter.
- The batter cannot be dismissed from a no-ball, except by run out, handling the ball, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice.
- After the no-ball, the next ball bowled is a "free hit" (in certain formats, like T20). During a free hit, the batter can only be dismissed by run out, handling the ball, obstructing the field, or hitting the ball twice.
