no-ball

thumb|An Umpire (cricket)|umpire signals a no-ball In cricket, a no-ball (in the Laws and regulations: "No ball") is a type of illegal delivery to a batter (the other type being a wide). It is also a type of extra, being the run awarded to the batting team as a consequence of the illegal delivery. For most cricket games, especially amateur, the definition of all forms of no-ball is from the MCC Laws of Cricket.

Originally "no Ball" was called when a bowler overstepped the bowling crease with their back foot, requiring them to try again to bowl a fair ball. Today the test for overstepping is whether the front foot lands behind the popping crease As the game developed, "No ball" has also been called for an unfair ball delivered roundarm, overarm or thrown, eventually resulting in today's overarm bowling being the only legal style. Technical infringements, and practices considered unfair or dangerous, have been added for bowling, field placement, fielder and wicket-keeper actions.