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{{Short description|Delivery in cricket where the batter cannot be dismissed by non-no ball methods}}
In [[cricket]], a '''free hit''' is a [[Delivery (cricket)|delivery]] to a [[Batter (cricket)|batter]] in which the batter cannot be [[Dismissal (cricket)|dismissed]] by any methods other than those applicable for a [[no-ball]], namely [[run out]], [[hit the ball twice]] and [[obstructing the field]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/rules-and-regulations/playing-conditions|title=ICC Men's One Day International Playing Conditions Effective 30 September 2018|publisher=ICC|accessdate=31 July 2019|page=4.44, section 21.19}}</ref>
The rule is used in [[Limited overs cricket|limited overs matches]]. When a [[Bowler (cricket)|bowler]] bowls a [[no-ball]], the immediate next ball is a free hit.
==History==
It came into international cricket in October 2007. Initially only foot fault no-balls resulted in a free hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-media/content/story/313324.html|title=Clarification to free-hit regulation in ODIs|date=2 October 2007|work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|accessdate=31 July 2019}}</ref> From 2015, the rules were changed so that all no-balls result in a free hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/33295761|title=All no=balls concede free hit in ICC ODI & Twenty20 rule changes|date=26 June 2015|work=[[BBC]]|accessdate=31 July 2019}}</ref>
==Advantage gained==
The opportunity afforded by a free hit ball enables the batter to play a more powerful shot without the fear of getting out by any mode that is credited to the bowler, i.e. bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or hit wicket. The fault lies with the fielding side, and the advantage is to the batting side. The only possible modes of dismissal on a free hit delivery are the same as those applicable on a no-ball: [[run out]], [[obstructing the field]] and [[hit the ball twice]].<ref>{{cite news |title=No ball, free hit explained: The rules that sealed Indian victory |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/rules-explainer-india-pakistan-t20-world-cup-final-over-waist-dead-ball-free-hit-nawaz-kohli-ashwin/2022-10-24 |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=[[Cricket Australia]]|language=en}}</ref>
If the batter is [[caught]] or [[bowled]] on a free hit delivery, the ball would still be [[in play]] and the batter can score runs. In case of bowled, the runs would be awarded to the batsman if the bat made contact with the ball before hitting the stumps; in case of [[clean bowled]] the runs are counted under [[bye (cricket)|byes]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/the-laws-of-cricket/dead-ball | title=Dead ball Law &#124; MCC }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India vs Pakistan: Free hit byes proof of Virat Kohli's exceptional match awareness |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cricket/india-vs-pakistan-a-nod-to-virat-kohlis-exceptional-match-awareness-to-take-free-hit-byes-9380931.html |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=Moneycontrol |language=en}}</ref> An instance of the latter happened in an ODI between India and England in January 2017, when [[Liam Plunkett]] clean bowled [[MS Dhoni]] off a free hit delivery and the ball rolled away to the [[Boundary (cricket)|boundary]], giving India four byes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anand |first1=Nikhil |title=Watch: India gets four runs on the ball MS Dhoni was bowled |url=https://www.crictracker.com/watch-india-gets-four-runs-on-the-ball-ms-dhoni-was-bowled/ |access-date=23 October 2022 |work=CricTracker |date=20 January 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Another notable instance took place during the [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] match between India and Pakistan, in which [[Virat Kohli]] ran three byes after being bowled by [[Mohammad Nawaz (cricketer)|Mohammad Nawaz]] off a free hit delivery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brains and brawns: Walking through the soul-stirring final over in India's win over Pakistan|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/brains-and-brawns-walking-through-the-soul-stirring-final-over-in-indias-win-over-pakistan|access-date=23 October 2022 |work=[[International Cricket Council]]|language=en}}</ref>
==Fielding restrictions==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2023}}
The fielding team is not allowed to change the [[fielding (cricket)|field]] for the free hit ball, if the same batter (who received the original no-ball) is on strike. However, for safety reasons, if the [[wicketkeeper]] is standing up at the stumps they are allowed to move back to a more traditional position.
If the batters ran an odd number of runs on the original no-ball, the other batter is now the striker, and the field may be re-positioned for the free hit. In fact re-positioning is also allowed if the striker changes for whatever reason, for example if a new batter replaces a striker who is [[run out]] on the original no-ball, by failing to make his [[Ground (cricket)|ground]] on the second run. The field must also be re-positioned if the no-ball was called for an illegal field placement.
==Signal==
The umpire at the bowler's end signals that the next ball is a free hit by making circular movements in the air with one raised hand. The free hit is carried over to the next ball if the original free hit ball is bowled wide or a no-ball; in this case the umpire is required to signal the free hit again.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Cricket terminology]]