no ball

noun

Cricket.

1. an unfairly bowled ball.

no-ball

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of no ball¹

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.

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

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

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

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

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