Free hit
Encyclopedia
Free hit is a cricket terminology, relevant in One Day Internationals and Twenty20
matches. When a bowler bowls a foot-fault no ball
(front foot or back foot), in the immediate next ball, the batsman cannot be ruled out in any dismissal modes other than; run out
, handled the ball
, hit the ball twice
and obstructing the field
. This freedom enables the batsman to play a powerful shot without the fear of getting out caught, bowled, stumped or leg before
. For this reason, the delivery immediately after a foot-fault no ball is called a free hit. It came into International Cricket in October 2007
).
on the free hit ball, if the same batsman (who received the original no ball) is on strike. However if the wicketkeeper is standing up at the stumps he is allowed to move back to a more traditional position for safety reasons.
, then the free hit carries over to the next ball also. Even if the free hit ball is judged as a wide ball, the striker can only be out 'under the circumstances that can apply for a no ball'.
Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
matches. When a bowler bowls a foot-fault no ball
No ball
In the sport of cricket a no ball is a penalty against the fielding team, usually as a result of an illegal delivery by the bowler. The delivery of a no ball results in one run to be added to the batting team's score, and an additional ball must be bowled...
(front foot or back foot), in the immediate next ball, the batsman cannot be ruled out in any dismissal modes other than; run out
Run out
Run out is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. It is governed by Law 38 of the Laws of cricket.-The rules:A batsman is out Run out if at any time while the ball is in play no part of his bat or person is grounded behind the popping crease and his wicket is fairly put down by the opposing...
, handled the ball
Handled the ball
Handled the ball is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket.-Definition:Law 33 of the Laws of cricket provides that:"Either batsman is out Handled the ball if he wilfully touches the ball while in play with a hand or hands not holding the bat unless he does so with the consent of the opposing...
, hit the ball twice
Hit the ball twice
Hit the ball twice, or "double-hit", is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket.-Definition:Law 34 of the Laws of cricket states:Law 34 1...
and obstructing the field
Obstructing the field
Obstructing the field is a rare method of dismissal in the sport of cricket.-Definition:Law 37 of the Laws of cricket provides that:"Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word or action...
. This freedom enables the batsman to play a powerful shot without the fear of getting out caught, bowled, stumped or leg before
Leg before wicket
In the sport of cricket, leg before wicket is one of the ways in which a batsman can be dismissed. An umpire will rule a batsman out LBW under a series of circumstances which primarily include the ball striking the batsman's body when it would otherwise have continued on to hit the batsman's...
. For this reason, the delivery immediately after a foot-fault no ball is called a free hit. It came into International Cricket in October 2007
Foot-fault no ball
If the bowler delivers the ball without some part of his front foot (either grounded or raised) behind the popping crease, or if his back foot does not 'land within and not touching the return crease', this delivery is ruled a no ball (Law 24.5 of The Laws of CricketLaws of cricket
The laws of cricket are a set of rules established by the Marylebone Cricket Club which describe the laws of cricket worldwide, to ensure uniformity and fairness. There are currently 42 laws, which outline all aspects of how the game is played from how a team wins a game, how a batsman is...
).
Fielding restrictions
The fielding team is not allowed to change the fieldFielding
Fielding may refer to:* Fielding , the action of fielders collecting the ball in cricket* The action of fielders collecting the ball at any of the nine baseball positions* Fielding, Saskatchewan, Canada* Fielding, Utah, United States...
on the free hit ball, if the same batsman (who received the original no ball) is on strike. However if the wicketkeeper is standing up at the stumps he is allowed to move back to a more traditional position for safety reasons.
Other conditions
If the immediate next delivery following a foot-fault no ball is any kind of no ball or a wide ballWide
In the sport of cricket, a wide is one of two things:* The event of a ball being delivered by a bowler too wide or high to be hit by the batsman, and ruled so by the umpire.* A run scored by the batting team as a penalty to the bowling team when this occurs....
, then the free hit carries over to the next ball also. Even if the free hit ball is judged as a wide ball, the striker can only be out 'under the circumstances that can apply for a no ball'.