How do I score no balls?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Law 21 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026): Signal: the umpire extends one arm horizontally. The bowler's end umpire repeats it to you when the ball is dead. Penalty: one run is awarded instantly on the call. It stands even if a batter is dismissed, unless the call is revoked, and it is in addition to any other runs scored, any boundary allowance and any other penalty runs (21.14). How it is scored: the one-run penalty goes in the No ball extras column and is debited against the bowler (21.15). Runs off the bat: runs completed by the batters or a boundary are credited to the striker if the ball was struck by the bat. Otherwise they are scored as Byes or Leg byes as appropriate (21.15, 18.10.2). The over: a No ball does not count as one of the six balls of the over (21.16). Revoked calls: if the umpire revokes the call of No ball (for example because Dead ball is called under certain parts of Law 20), remove the penalty. A Revoke last signal is given by touching both shoulders, each with the opposite hand. Dismissals: after a No ball a batter can be out only Hit the ball twice, Obstructing the field or Run out (21.17). No ball overrides Wide: if a delivery is called No ball, any Wide call is revoked (21.12, 22.3.2).