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Understanding byes and leg byes

Leg Bye
If a legitimate ball passes the batsman without touching his bat or his body, any runs completed are credited as 'byes'.

If a legitimate ball misses the bat but touches the batsman's body, any runs completed are credited as 'leg byes'.

Runs completed off a bye or leg bye, including boundaries, are added to the extras tally of the batting team but they are not credited against the bowler.

In order for a leg bye to be awarded the umpire must deem that the batsman either attempted to play a stroke or tried to avoid being hit by the ball.

If the umpire considers that the batsman did neither of these then a dead ball is called and no runs can be scored.

RULES IN OTHER SPORTS
 

see also
LBW explained
08 Nov 06 |  Laws & Equipment
The aim of cricket
06 Sep 05 |  Laws & Equipment
How runs are scored
06 Sep 05 |  Laws & Equipment
Guide to umpires' signals
10 Nov 06 |  Laws & Equipment
The field of play
06 Sep 05 |  Laws & Equipment


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