Cricket Rules

Free Hit Rules in Limited Over Matches:


In the event of a no ball for bowler overstepping, a free hit is allowed. in a free hit, the batsman will not be out by any means except by run out.

 

Free Hit rule is applicable in T20 and ODI only and not in test matches.

Clarification given by ICC regarding free hit is reproduced below:

The free hit in ODIs applies to all foot fault no balls and not just front foot no balls, the ICC confirmed.

A free hit will apply to the next delivery after a bowler either oversteps with his front foot or if his back foot cuts or does not land within the return crease.

The playing condition reads as follows:

24.2 Free Hit after a foot-fault no ball... the delivery following a no ball called for a foot fault (Law 24.5) shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.

For any free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.

Field changes are not permitted for free hit deliveries unless there is a change of striker (the provisions of clause 41.2 shall apply).

The umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion.

Here is the New ODI Rules:

• In the first ten overs of an innings (the mandatory powerplay or Powerplay 1), the fielding team may have at most two fieldsmen outside the thirty-yard circle. Additionally, at least two fieldsmen must be in close catching positions, such as slip, gully or short point.
• During the next 5-over restriction, known as the batting powerplay, the fielding team may have at most three fieldsmen outside the thirty-yard circle, but there is no requirement for close catching fieldsmen. The batting captain has discretion on when the batting powerplay is taken. This powerplay must be completed before the 40th overs of an uninterrupted innings, and the team cannot choose not to take its powerplay. If it is not invoked by the start of the 36th over, it is invoked automatically by the umpire so that it is complete by the end of the 40th over.
• For the remainder of the innings, the fielding team may have at most four fieldsmen outside the thirty-yard circle.

Duckworth–Lewis method:

The Duckworth–Lewis method (often written as D/L method) is a mathematical formulation designed to calculate the target score for the team batting second in a limited overs match interrupted by weather or other circumstances. It is generally accepted to be the most accurate method of setting a target score. The D/L method was devised by two English statisticians, Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis.

The basic principle is that each team in a limited-overs match has two resources available with which to score runs: wickets remaining, and overs to play. Where overs are lost, setting an adjusted target is not as simple as to reduce the batting team's run target proportionally, because a team batting second with ten wickets in hand and 25 overs to play can be expected to play more aggressively than one with ten wickets and a full 50 overs, and can consequently achieve a higher run rate. The Duckworth–Lewis method is an attempt to set a statistically fair target for the second team's innings, based on the score achieved by the first team, taking their wickets lost and overs played into account.