Expert: Kunal Ganju - 10/27/2009

Question
When the bowler bowls the ball and if it pitches more than once on the pitch before reaching the batsman, is it a valid delivery or is it a dead ball because it has pitched more than once on the pitch ?

Answer
Hi Viresh

Thank you for your question.

If the ball bounces once or even twice, then it is a legal delivery. If it bounces more than twice or rolls along the ground before reaching the pop in crease, it is considered a no ball. It is still in play though, and is not considered dead.

According to Law 24.6 [No ball - Ball bouncing more than twice or rolling along the ground]:
The umpire at the bowler's end shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched the bat or person of the striker,
either (i) bounces more than twice
or (ii) rolls along the ground
before it reaches the popping crease.

Hope this helps
Kunal