How no ball in cricket
Cricket, a sport cherished by billions around the globe, is not merely about smashing boundaries or taking wickets. It has many underlying complexities that make it unique compared to other sports; one such element is understanding the concept of a “No Ball”. While it might seem straightforward on the surface, mastering and comprehensively understanding the application and intricacies involved in a No Ball requires an inside-out comprehension of cricket rules.
The Basis – What Is A ‘No Ball’?
Starting from basics, a ‘No Ball’ is an illegal delivery in cricket. The umpire signals it by stretching out both hands horizontally – it’s one rule every cricket viewer learns first. However, different conditions can categorise a ball as a ‘No Ball.’ From improper bowling actions to overstepping the crease – multiple factors classify a delivery unlawful under this term.
As per Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who are custodians of the laws of cricket: “A ball can be called as ‘no-ball’ by the umpire for several reasons including if the bowler throws rather than bowls the ball, if they bowl underarm instead of overarm, or if they overstep the mark.”
The pivotal Concept – Overstepping
The most well-known reason for calling a no-ball in international games is when a bowler oversteps the popping crease with his front foot while delivering. According to MCC’s rule book: “If either of a bowler’s feet cuts or lands beyond their back foot popping crease before being grounded behind this line, then he/she has overstepped.”
Historically speaking, several important matches have turned because of unintentional overstepping resulting in millions worldwide watching every decisive step taken.
Full Video in Youtube
Impact On The Game
This brings us to how impactful these No Balls could be! More often than not, a ‘No Ball’ has been instrumental in changing the course of entire games. Cricket history is full of occasions where matches were decided because crucial wickets fell off No Balls, resulting in those batsmen staging successful fightbacks.
There are additional disadvantages as well. When an umpire calls for a no-ball, the batting side gets one run added to their total and the bowler has to re-bowl that delivery. In limited-overs cricket, especially during bowling restrictions (Powerplay) and death overs, this could potentially change the result.
Crucial Penalties
On top of everything else, it’s not just runs that make No-Balls dangerous; they can also bring demerits for geopolitical reasons. For instance, chucking or throwing deliveries with suspect actions would likewise call for a “No Ball”. Bowlers repeating such infringements may result in being banned from bowling until their action is rectified and approved by relevant authorities.
The Intricacies – Free Hit & Other Changes
In 2007, international cricket introduced another twist – The ‘Free Hit’ after a no-ball. Initially only used in One-Day Internationals (ODI), but later adopted in T20Is as well in 2015, any front-foot no-ball was followed by a free-hit on the subsequent ball where even if the batsman gets out, he isn’t given out (apart from Run Out). This rule ramped up excitement levels substantially among fans and brought more firepower into already dynamic formats.
Further rules have stated if non-striker leaves his/her ground early on a delivery before it’s released; it will be called a No-Ball; thus penalising fielding team rather than negating advantages for batsmen – showcasing spirit of fairness inherent in noble game of cricket extending beyond gentlemanly expectations.
To summarise, while No Ball forms an integral part of cricket’s rulebook, ensuring performances within bounds, it brings with its own bag of penalties for the erring side. Thus understanding and adherence to No-Ball rules are just as essential for bowlers as perfecting that swinging yorker or a deceptive flighted delivery to outfox batsmen in this captivating sport called Cricket.
