Which balls count in an over?

Under Law 17 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

• An over is 6 valid balls, bowled from each end alternately (17.1).
• A ball does not count as one of the 6 balls of the over unless it is delivered (17.3.1).
• A delivered ball does not count if it is:
  • called dead, or considered dead, before the striker has had an opportunity to play it
  • a No ball
  • a Wide
  • called dead in the circumstances of Law 20.4.2.6
  • a delivery where Law 24.4 (Player returning without permission), 28.2 (Fielding the ball), 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract or obstruct striker) or 41.5 (Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter) is applied.
• Any other delivery is a valid ball, and only valid balls count towards the 6 (17.3.3).
• When 6 valid balls have been bowled and the ball becomes dead, the umpire calls Over (17.4).
• If the umpire miscounts, the over as counted by the umpire stands (17.5.1).
• A bowler may not bowl two overs consecutively, nor parts of each of two consecutive overs, in the same innings (17.6). If a bowler is incapacitated or suspended mid-over, another bowler completes it from the same end under the same restriction (17.8).