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Cricket · Laws of Cricket

Law 17: The Over

2 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Law 17 gives the over: 6 valid balls bowled from each end alternately, when an over has started (run-up or action), which deliveries are valid balls and which do not count (not delivered, dead before the striker could play, no balls, wides and the Laws in 17.3.2.5), the call of Over, an umpire who miscounts, a bowler changing ends without bowling consecutive overs, finishing an over in progress (and after an interval or interruption), and a bowler incapacitated or suspended during an over.

17.171The Over: Six Valid Balls, the Start of an Over and Calling Over

Overs of 6 valid balls bowled from alternate ends, when an over has started, delivered and valid balls, deliveries that do not count (no balls, wides, dead balls and the Laws listed in 17.3.2.5), counting valid balls, and the call of Over.

Test 1Six valid balls, and the start of an overTake a test

  1. The ball is bowled in overs of 6 valid balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · recall

  2. The ball shall be bowled from each end alternately.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · recall

  3. Law 17.1 is headed Number of balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · recall

  4. An over has started when the bowler starts the run-up.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.2 · recall

  5. If there is no run-up, when the bowler starts the action for the first delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.2 · recall

  6. The over starts with the run-up, not with the delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.2 · applied

  7. Law 17.2 is headed Start of an over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.2 · recall

  8. Overs alternate between ends.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · applied

  9. The ball is bowled from each end alternately.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · applied

  10. Overs of 6 valid balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · recall

Test 2Delivered balls and valid ballsTake a test

  1. Law 17.3.1: only a ball actually delivered can be one of the six; a dismissal or other incident before delivery, such as the non-striker being run out, does not use up a ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.1 · recall

  2. An incident may occur without the ball having been delivered.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.1 · applied

  3. As in Law 38.3 (Non-striker leaving his/her ground early).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.1 · recall

  4. Any deliveries other than those listed are valid balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · recall

  5. Only valid balls shall count towards the 6 balls of the over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · recall

  6. Law 17.3.3 is the clause that defines them.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · recall

  7. A ball counts only if delivered.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.1 · applied

  8. Only valid balls count, so one more is needed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · applied

  9. It is not one of the 6 balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.1 · applied

  10. Law 17.3.2 lists them.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2 · recall

Test 3Deliveries that do not countTake a test

  1. Law 17.3.2 lists the excluded balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2 · recall

  2. Law 17.3.2.1 excludes it.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.1 · applied

  3. See Law 20.7 (Dead ball; ball counting as one of over).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.1 · recall

  4. Law 17.3.2.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.3 · recall

  5. Law 17.3.2.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.4 · recall

  6. See Law 21 (No ball).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.3 · recall

  7. See Law 22 (Wide ball).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.4 · recall

  8. Law 17.3.2.5 lists them.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.5 · recall

  9. Laws 24.4, 28.2, 41.4 and 41.5 are named.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.5 · recall

  10. Law 24.4 is Player returning without permission.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.5 · recall

Test 4Counting valid ballsTake a test

  1. 6 minus 4 valid balls is 2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · applied

  2. 6 plus 2 is 8.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · applied

  3. 6 plus 1 is 7.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · applied

  4. A wide is not one of the 6 valid balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.4 · applied

  5. 6 minus 3 valid balls is 3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.3 · applied

  6. The ball does not count as one of the 6.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.1 · applied

  7. Over is called when 6 valid balls have been bowled and the ball is dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · applied

  8. Law 17.1 fixes an over at 6 valid balls, bowled from each end alternately, so two complete overs hold twelve.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.1 · applied

  9. No balls do not count.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.3 · applied

  10. The dead ball is not counted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.1 · applied

Test 5Calling OverTake a test

  1. Six valid balls and a dead ball are the trigger.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  2. The umpire shall call Over before leaving the wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  3. See also Law 20.3 (Call of Over or Time).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  4. 6 valid balls and the ball becoming dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  5. The ball must become dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · applied

  6. The umpire shall call Over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  7. Law 17.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

  8. The no ball is not a valid ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · applied

  9. Over is called before leaving the wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · applied

  10. The Law says 6 valid balls.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.4 · recall

17.172The Over: Miscounting, Changing Ends, Finishing an Over and a Bowler Who Cannot Finish

An umpire who miscounts, a bowler changing ends without bowling consecutive overs, finishing an over in progress and completing it after an interval or interruption, a bowler incapacitated or suspended, and cases across Law 17.

Test 1An umpire who miscountsTake a test

  1. Law 17.5.1: the over as counted by the umpire shall stand.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.1 · recall

  2. Law 17.5.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.1 · recall

  3. Law 17.5.2 allows it after any delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.2 · recall

  4. Even if that delivery is not a valid ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.2 · applied

  5. The over as counted by the umpire stands.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.1 · applied

  6. Law 17.5.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.2 · recall

  7. Law 17.5.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.2 · applied

  8. Law 17.5 is headed Umpire miscounting.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5 · recall

  9. The over as counted by the umpire shall stand.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.1 · applied

  10. The call can follow any delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.2 · recall

Test 2A bowler changing endsTake a test

  1. Law 17.6 lets a bowler switch ends as many times as he or she likes, provided the bowler does not bowl two overs in a row, or parts of two consecutive overs, in the same innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  2. Two consecutive overs, or parts of each, are barred.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  3. Law 17.6 forbids it.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  4. A bowler may not share two consecutive overs either.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  5. The bowler does not bowl two overs consecutively.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

  6. The rule is about consecutive overs, whichever end.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

  7. In the same innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  8. Law 17.6 is headed Bowler changing ends.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · recall

  9. Overs 1, 3 and 5 are not consecutive.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

  10. The limit is in the same innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

Test 3Finishing an overTake a test

  1. A bowler shall finish an over in progress.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.1 · recall

  2. Unless incapacitated or suspended under any of the Laws.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.1 · recall

  3. It begins: other than at the end of an innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.1 · applied

  4. Law 17.7.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.2 · recall

  5. Law 17.7.2 covers an interval or interruption.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.2 · applied

  6. Law 17.7.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.2 · recall

  7. Other than the end of an innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.2 · applied

  8. The over is completed on resumption.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.2 · applied

  9. A bowler shall finish an over in progress.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.1 · applied

  10. Law 17.7.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.1 · recall

Test 4A bowler who cannot finishTake a test

  1. Law 17.8.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

  2. Another bowler shall complete the over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

  3. Another bowler shall complete the over from the same end.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

  4. The same limit as for changing ends applies to the replacement.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

  5. Law 17.8 is headed Bowler incapacitated or suspended during an over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

  6. The replacement may not bowl parts of consecutive overs.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · applied

  7. The replacement may not bowl consecutive overs or parts of them.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · applied

  8. Law 17.8 covers suspension too.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · applied

  9. Another bowler shall complete the over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · applied

  10. Incapacitated while running up to deliver the first ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

Test 5Cases across Law 17Take a test

  1. Under Law 17.2 the run-up starts the over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.2 and 17.8 · applied

  2. No bowler bowls two overs consecutively.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

  3. Consecutive overs are barred whichever end.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.6 · applied

  4. The clauses run 17.1 to 17.8.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17 · recall

  5. Law 17.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3 · recall

  6. Law 17.7.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7 · recall

  7. Under Law 17.2 an over starts with the run-up or action.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.2 and 17.7.2 · applied

  8. Neither the wide nor the dead ball counts.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.3.2.1 and 17.3.2.4 · applied

  9. Law 17.5.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.1 · applied

  10. Law 17.8.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.8 · recall

Sources

MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 17 with Laws 20.3, 20.7, 21, 22, 24.4, 28.2, 38.3, 41.4 and 41.5 as cross-references (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.612
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.411
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.811
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.38
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.17
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.15
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.15
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.5.25
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.15
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.7.25
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.24
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.14
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.33
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.43
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.2.53
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.3.22
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.51
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.2 and 17.81
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 171
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.31
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 17.71
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.2 and 17.7.21
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 17.3.2.1 and 17.3.2.41