Free Hit

Day by day the rules of games are being amended. Cricket also one such game where rules are being amended.

Under Law 24: NO BALL, a new rule has been added as playing condition in limited overs match. That is FREE HIT.

Free Hit is a benefit given to batting side for the mistake of the bowling side, especially by the bowler bowling No Ball due to foot fault.

For Free Hit, Only dismissals which are not credited to bowler are allowed. They are HIT THE BALL TWICE, HANDLED THE BALL, OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD and RUN OUT. The ball bowled by the bowler which is free hit, will be considered as one of the legitimate delivery of that over, unless that ball is another no ball or wide ball.

The signal shown by the bowler's end umpire for this Free Hit is quite interesting:

The Umpire raises one of his hand ( Usually right hand) above the head and shows a circle signal with index fingure open.