no ball

American  

noun

Cricket.

1. an unfairly bowled ball.

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no-ball British  

noun

1. cricket an illegal ball, as for overstepping the crease, throwing, etc, for which the batting side scores a run, and from which the batsman can be out only by being run out

2. rounders an illegal ball, esp one bowled too high or too low

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1. cricket rounders a call by the umpire indicating a no-ball

verb

1. (tr) cricket

   1. to declare (a bowler) to have bowled a no-ball

   2. to declare (a delivery) to be a no-ball

Etymology

Origin of no ball

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

Four of their six bowlers conceded more than 15 runs per over and Rabada was responsible for four of his side's no balls.

From BBC

Play experts want to ban "no ball games" signs and protect playtime during school breaks, to reduce the time children spend on screens.

From BBC

“Or, ‘I’m gonna high five myself, no balls were dropped today.’”

From Salon

England debutant George Scrimshaw bowls six no balls in his first two overs, but ends his second over with his maiden wicket.

From BBC

The idea was to impose their game on South Africa but they had no ball, no possession, no respite.

From BBC