When do I call a wide, and what is the penalty?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Law 22 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Judging a wide

For a ball that is not a No ball, call Wide if it passes wide of where the striker is standing or has stood at any point after the ball came into play, and would also have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position.
The ball is wide unless it is sufficiently within reach for the striker to hit it with the bat by a normal cricket stroke.
A delivery that, after landing, passes or would have passed over the head height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is also wide.

When not to call it

Do not call a wide if the striker, by moving, causes the ball to pass wide or brings it within reach of a normal stroke.
Do not call a wide if the ball touches the striker's bat or person only as it passes the striker.
Revoke a wide if there is contact between the ball and the striker's bat or person before it touches a fielder, or if the delivery is called a No ball. A No ball call overrides Wide at any time.

Calling it: call and signal Wide as soon as the ball passes the striker's wicket. It counts as a wide from the instant the bowler entered their delivery stride.

Penalty and effect

One run is awarded instantly and stands even if a batter is dismissed. It is in addition to any other runs scored or boundary allowance.
The ball is not dead on the call.
A wide does not count as one of the six balls of the over.
After a wide, a batter can be out only by Hit wicket, Obstructing the field, Run out or Stumped.