The Free Hit Rule in Cricket: When It Applies and How Batters Can Be Out
What a free hit is in limited-overs cricket, why it follows a no-ball, which dismissals are still possible, and how runs are scored off the extra ball.
The free hit is one of the most exciting rules in limited-overs cricket. After a bowler oversteps the line, the batter gets the next delivery with almost no risk of being dismissed, and most batters respond by swinging hard. The rule is intended to discourage bowlers from bowling no-balls and to give batters some compensation when they are.
What a free hit is
A free hit is the delivery that follows certain no-balls. Under most limited-overs playing conditions it is awarded after a front-foot no-ball, where the bowler’s front foot lands beyond the popping crease. The ball that follows must be bowled again and is called the free hit. The batter facing it can only be dismissed in a small number of ways, so attacking shots carry far less risk than normal.
The idea was introduced in one-day internationals in 2007 and later became standard in Twenty20 cricket as well. It is not used in Test matches, where the no-ball is penalised only by a run and a rebowled delivery. The exact conditions that trigger a free hit can differ between competitions, so it is worth checking the rules for a particular tournament, because some include other kinds of no-ball in addition to overstepping.
How a batter can be dismissed on a free hit
On a free hit the batter cannot be bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or out hit wicket. The ways in which a batter can still be dismissed are:
- Run out.
- Handling the ball.
- Obstructing the field.
- Hitting the ball twice.
The run-out is by far the most common of these. If a batter hits the ball and sets off for a run, a direct hit or a good throw can still dismiss them, so batters must judge their running carefully even when they feel safe from other kinds of dismissal.
How runs are scored
Several different sources of runs can arise from the no-ball and the free hit that follows:
- The no-ball itself adds one run to the batting side’s total as an extra.
- Any runs scored off the no-ball delivery from the bat are added as well.
- On the free hit, runs from the bat count in the usual way, including fours and sixes.
- If the free hit is a wide or a no-ball itself, it must be bowled again and another free hit follows when the rules provide for it.
The free hit does not count as one of the six legal balls in an over, so a bowler who oversteps ends up bowling more than six deliveries in total. A single no-ball therefore costs the fielding side at least one run and an extra ball with a vulnerable position for the bowler.
Field settings and tactics
Captains and bowlers usually prepare for a free hit. Because the bowler knows a batter will try to hit out, the usual approach is to bowl a yorker or a delivery aimed at the stumps, or to bowl wide of the off stump so that the batter has to reach for it. The fielding captain can change the field, though restrictions such as those during a fielding powerplay still apply, and the field must follow the normal rules on the number of fielders allowed in each area.
From the batter’s perspective, a free hit is a chance to take a risk. Many players use it to try an unusual shot or hit a boundary over the top. However, it does not guarantee runs. A good bowler will still try to restrict the scoring, and a good fielder can still threaten a run-out.
Why it exists
A no-ball is a clear error by the bowler, and a rebowled delivery plus one run was seen as insufficient punishment in limited-overs cricket, where every ball is valuable. The free hit adds a stronger deterrent and often creates a moment of excitement for spectators. That combination is why it has become such a familiar part of white-ball cricket.
To summarise, a free hit is a bonus delivery after certain no-balls on which the batter is protected from most dismissals. Remember that run-outs, handling the ball, obstructing the field and hitting the ball twice are the only ways to get out.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be bowled on a free hit?
No. A batter cannot be bowled, caught, lbw, stumped or out hit wicket on a free hit. They can still be run out or dismissed for handling the ball, obstructing the field or hitting the ball twice.
Is there a free hit in Test cricket?
No. The free hit is a limited-overs rule used in one-day and Twenty20 cricket. In Tests a no-ball is penalised by a run and the ball is rebowled.
Does a free hit count as one of the six balls in an over?
No. The no-ball is not a legal delivery, so the free hit is an extra ball and the over takes longer to complete.