Expert: Vidya Shankar - 11/3/2009

Question
If a batsman runs down the crease to hit the ball and misses it/ or goes on top of his head (above shoulder)... will it be called a wide or not?

Answer
Hi Prasad,

I apologize for the late reply.

If the ball goes too wide above the batsman's head, but the batsman is outside the crease, then it cannot be called a noball, however to be called a wide, it does not matter whether he is inside or outside of the crease. In this scenario too, it will indeed be called a wide & if the umpire feels that it could have injured the batsman, he will warn the bowler of the same.

Hope this answered your question.

Vidi