What is a free hit in Cricket?

Question

What is a free hit in Cricket?

Answer 1

In the event of a no ball for bowler overstepping the front foot line, a free hit is allowed. in a free hit, the batsman will not be out by any means except by run out.

The Free Hit rule is used in T20 and ODI only and not in test matches.

Clarification given by ICC regarding free hit are-

The free hit in ODIs applies to all foot fault no balls and not just front foot no balls, the ICC also said

A free hit will apply to the next delivery after a bowler either oversteps with his front foot or if his back foot cuts or does not land within the return crease.

The playing condition are-

24.2 Free Hit after a foot-fault no ball... the delivery following a no ball called for a foot fault (Law 24.5) shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.

For any free hit, the batsmen can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.

Field changes are not permitted for free hit deliveries unless the batsmen switch ends (the provisions of clause 41.2 shall apply).

The umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion

Answer 2

A free hit in cricket occurs after the bowler has bowled a front foot no-ball, i think it only happens in twenty20s but maybe ODIs.

the batter faces the ball and he cannot be dismissed apart from being run out. this means that the batsman goes for the 'slog' trying to hit some runs, without being dismissed

i hope i helped :)