A wide ball in cricket is a delivery that is deemed too wide or high for the batsman to hit with a normal, legal batting stance. It is considered an illegal delivery, and the bowling team is penalized with an extra run awarded to the batting team.
How is a Wide Ball Signaled?
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The on-field umpire extends both arms horizontally to signal a wide ball.
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A wide is recorded as an extra in the scorebook.
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The delivery does not count as one of the six balls in the over, and the bowler must bowl an additional delivery.
Rules for a Wide Ball:
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Lateral Width: If the ball is bowled too wide of the batsman on either side, beyond the marked wide line.
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Height: If the ball bounces and goes over the batsman's head in a way that is unplayable.
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Down the Leg Side: In limited-overs cricket, any ball passing behind the batsman’s legs is generally called a wide.
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Attempt to Play: In Test cricket, if the batsman moves excessively, making a legal delivery appear wide, it may not be called a wide.
Penalties for a Wide Ball:
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1 run is awarded to the batting team as an extra.
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An extra delivery is added to the over.
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If the wicketkeeper or fielders fail to stop the wide ball, additional runs can be scored as byes.
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In limited-overs cricket, repeated wide balls can lead to penalties for the bowler.
Wide Ball vs. No-Ball:
| Feature |
Wide Ball |
No-Ball |
| Cause |
Too wide or high for the batsman |
Overstepping, high full toss, etc. |
| Extra Runs |
1 run |
1 run |
| Free Hit |
No (except in some leagues) |
Yes (in limited-overs cricket) |
| Delivery Count |
Not counted in the over |
Not counted in the over |
Strategic Considerations:
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Bowlers try to avoid wide balls as they give away free runs and disrupt rhythm.
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Teams in tight games are cautious about conceding wide balls, especially in death overs of limited-overs matches.
Wide balls are costly for bowlers but beneficial for the batting team, adding a layer of precision and discipline to bowling in cricket.