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BBC Sport Online: Cricket


Tuesday, 5 June, 2001, 14:26 GMT 15:26 UK

The no-ball rule


When is a ball a no-ball? BBC Sport Online attempts to explain the front foot law.

Law 24 (5)

Fair delivery - the feet

For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride:

1. The bowler's back foot must land within and not touching the return crease.

2. The bowler's front foot must land with some part of the foot, whether grounded or raised, behind the popping crease.

If the umpire at the bowler's end is not satisfied that both these conditions have been met, he shall call and signal "No-ball".


LEGAL DELIVERY



No problem with this one.

This delivery is clearly legal as the bowler's entire front foot is behind the popping crease.

Remember the umpire has also to keep an eye on what the back foot is doing as well.


LEGAL DELIVERY



Still a fairly straightforward decision for the umpire as the bowler has kept around half his front foot behind the popping crease.

But the official still has little time to make up his mind before he switches his attention to the other end.


LEGAL DELIVERY



This shows how difficult it can be for the umpire.

This delivery is legal because some of the foot is behind the popping crease.

The fact that the foot is raised does not make it illegal.


ILLEGAL



This again shows how tough no-ball calls are to make.

This is a no-ball as none of the foot is behind the crease.

Unlike some other sports touching the line does not count.


ILLEGAL



This should be a relatively straightforward call - it's a no-ball.

But as the Old Trafford Test showed it is still all too easy for the umpire to miss as he tries to concentrate on the business end.


Related to this story:
Umpiring 'a disgrace' (05 Jun 01 | England v Pakistan)
Time to eye up technology? (05 Jun 01 | Sports Talk)
Cricket chiefs debate 'eye' system (05 Jun 01 | England v Pakistan)
No-ball row mars Pakistan triumph (05 Jun 01 | England v Pakistan)

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