Cricket is a game for batters, and the rules of the game reflect this. One rule that changes the situation of the game and can also break the rhythm of the bowler in a crunch situation is the free hit. The chance of an error in white-ball cricket is very low. If a bowler bowls a no-ball, that results in an extra run, and he has to bowl that ball once again.
Thus, a free-hit is given to the batter in order to penalize the bowler for bowling the no-ball. This comes with a number of advantages for the batsman, and the biggest plus is that a batter can’t get out of a free-hit (apart from a run-out). And so on until the bowler bowls a legal ball. The free-hit rule is only used in white-ball cricket (T20 and ODIs).
Free Hit in Cricket
Free-hit is an interesting rule in the game of cricket that is used in white-ball cricket. When a bowler bowls a no-ball (of any type, including waist-high full tosses), the batter is given a free hit. The free-hit rule came into recognition in 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa for the very first time.
Previously, it was only used for front-foot no-ball, but the ICC changed the rule in 2015, and now it is used for all types of no-ball. However, in case the bowler bowls a wide or another no-ball on free-hit then he will have to bowl it again until it is a legal delivery. But for the bowler, the only thing he can do is change the field. Only if the batter has changed ends on the no-ball.
Rules for the Free-hit in cricket
As per the ICC rule no. 21, the ball after a no-ball given by the umpire, will be a free-hit. The rule further says that it includes all types of no-ball, such as front or back foot no-ball, for throwing the ball, waist-high no-ball, and changing the bowling side without notifying the umpires, to name a few. A batter can only get out on a free-hit just like a no-ball rule. The ways to get out are by running out, obstructing the field, and hitting the ball twice.
- The fielding captain can only change the field if there is a change of strike.
- If a batsman gets bowled on a free-hit, he or she can still run to collect runs. Those runs will be counted as byes. If the ball hits the pad and both batters ran then it will be counted as leg-byes.
- The only way to get out for a batter is by running out, obstructing the field, and hitting the ball twice.
- If the batter is caught on the free-hit, the batters can still score by running.
- The fielding can be changed if the strike has changed. But if the same batter stays on strike, then the keeper can move up and back for safety reasons.
- A fielding change is also possible if the no-ball was given because there were too many fielders outside the circle. Then the fielding captain can change the field on a free-hit.
Free-Hit rule in T20 leagues around the world
Notably, this is not limited to international white-ball cricket. The free-hit rule is the same in all leagues around the world. The Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, and Caribbean Premier League are among the leagues that adhere to the no-ball rule. When it comes to no-ball, however, a 100-ball league in England called “The Hundred“ has a slightly different rule. The only difference is that, compared to other competition in a game of The Hundred, the no-ball will be awarded with a free-hit and two runs, unlike one run in the white ball format.