# Law 22: Wide Ball (MCC Laws of Cricket)

Cricket · Law 22: Wide Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/cricket/laws/law-22-wide-ball/)

Law 22 sets out how the umpire judges a Wide (wide of where the striker stands or has stood and of a normal stance, within reach of a normal stroke), when Wide ball is called and from when it counts, when the call is revoked, when a delivery is not a Wide, that the ball is not dead, the one-run penalty, how runs from a Wide are scored and debited to the bowler, that a Wide does not count as one of the over, and the four ways a batter can be out from a Wide.

## 22.221 Wide Ball: Judging, Calling, Revoking and Not a Wide

How the umpire judges a Wide (wide of where the striker stands or stood and of a normal stance), what within reach of a normal stroke means, when Wide ball is called and signalled and from when it counts, when the call is revoked (contact with bat or person before a fielder, or a No ball), and when a delivery is not a Wide (the striker moved, or a touch only as the ball passes).

### Test 1: Judging a Wide: the two positions of the striker

- Law 22.1.1 asks for both: wide of where the striker is or was standing, and wide of a normal batting position. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- The Wide rule opens with a ball, not being a No ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- Law 22.1.1 is the Wide judgement rule; 22.1.2 defines passing wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- The ball must also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- Both conditions of Law 22.1.1 are met. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- Law 22.1.1 speaks of any point after the ball came into play for that delivery. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- The striker's earlier stance during the same delivery also counts. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- Law 22.1.1 says the umpire shall adjudge it a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- The rule covers a ball, not being a No ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)
- Law 22.1.1 refers to the definition of passing wide in 22.1.2. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.1)

### Test 2: Within reach of a normal stroke

- Law 22.1.2 gives the definition of passing wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- Law 22.1.2: a ball is wide unless sufficiently within reach for a normal stroke. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- The test is a normal cricket stroke. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- Law 22.1.2 speaks of hitting the ball with the bat. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- It is out of reach of a normal stroke. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- It is not a Wide when it is sufficiently within reach. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- Reaching beyond a normal stroke means the ball is wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- Passing the striker outside his reach makes the ball wide by default. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- The test is what a normal stroke could reach, not what he played. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)
- Only the ball out of reach of a normal stroke is wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.1.2)

### Test 3: The call and signal of Wide ball

- Law 22.2: the call is made as soon as the ball passes the striker's wicket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- It counts as a Wide from the delivery stride, even though it cannot be called until it passes the wicket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 22.2 says it cannot be called Wide until it passes the striker's wicket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 22.2 requires both a call and a signal. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 22.2 is headed Call and signal of Wide ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- The call comes later than the point from which it is a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 22.2 sets the striker's wicket as the earliest point. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 22.2 places the call at the striker's wicket, not at release. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- The call depends on the ball passing the striker's wicket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Only when the ball has gone past can its width be confirmed. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)

### Test 4: Revoking a call of Wide ball

- Law 22.3.1: any contact with the striker's bat or person before any fielder. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.1)
- Law 22.3.1 revokes the call. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.1)
- A pad is part of the person, so the touch comes before any fielder's. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.1)
- The contact with the striker came after contact with a fielder. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.1)
- Law 22.3.2: revoke if the delivery is called a No ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.2)
- Law 21.13 is headed No ball to override Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.2)
- The No ball overrides the Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.2)
- Law 22.3.1 and Law 22.3.2. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3)
- Contact with any part of his body before a fielder cancels the Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.1)
- Law 22.6 keeps the penalty unless the call is revoked under 22.3. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)

### Test 5: A delivery that is not a Wide

- Law 22.4.1: not a Wide if the striker by moving causes the ball to pass wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.1)
- Bringing the ball within reach removes the ground for a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.1)
- Law 22.4.2 covers a touch only as the ball passes. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.2)
- Law 22.4.2 covers the bat or the person. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.2)
- Law 22.4.1 covers the striker moving. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.1)
- The touch-as-it-passes rule sits in 22.4.2, the second sub-clause of 22.4. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.2)
- Law 22.4.2 stops the Wide from being adjudged. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.2)
- By moving he brought it within reach. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.1)
- The striker's own walk across is what put the ball wide, so no Wide is given. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.1)
- Law 22.4.2 stops the umpire from adjudging a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.4.2)

## 22.222 Wide Ball: Live Ball, Penalty, Runs, the Over and Dismissals

The ball staying live after a Wide, the one-run penalty and how it is awarded, how runs from a Wide are scored and debited to the bowler, why a Wide does not count as one of the over, the four ways a batter can be out from a Wide (Laws 35, 37, 38 and 39), and comparisons with No ball.

### Test 1: The ball stays live, and the one-run penalty

- The call leaves the ball live, so play carries on. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.5)
- The call of Wide does not make the ball dead, so runs may be taken. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.5)
- Law 22.5 is headed Ball not dead. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.5)
- The ball is not dead, so the fielding side may still act. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.5)
- The penalty follows the call, which is made at the striker's wicket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- Law 22.6: the penalty stands even if a batter is dismissed. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- The penalty is tied to the revoking clause, 22.3. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- One Wide penalty and three completed runs. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- Law 22.6 lists runs scored, any boundary allowance and any other penalty runs. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- The penalty is awarded instantly on the call. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)

### Test 2: Runs from a Wide: how scored and who is debited

- The penalty run plus the two completed runs are all Wides. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- The penalty run and four completed runs make five Wides. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- One run added to the Wide gives two Wides; the five are separate. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Apart from an award of 5 Penalty runs, runs from a Wide are debited to the bowler. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Law 22.7 excepts the 5 Penalty runs. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- All completed runs from a Wide are scored as Wides. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Law 22.7 is headed Runs resulting from a Wide - how scored. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Law 22.7: all runs completed by the batters or a boundary allowance, with the penalty. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Four Wides plus the five Penalty runs come to nine. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- The bowler carries the debit for the Wide runs. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)

### Test 3: A Wide does not count as one of the over

- Law 22.8 sends the reader to Law 17.3, Validity of balls. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Wides do not count, so 5 valid balls have been bowled and one is needed. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- A Wide does not count as one of the over. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Wides do not count towards the six, so the total is 6 plus 4. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- The Wide does not count as one of the over. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- The three Wides do not count, so nine deliveries are bowled in all. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- The runs do not turn the Wide into a valid ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Laws 21.17 and 22.8 exclude both. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Law 22.8 is headed Wide not to count. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Only valid balls count towards the six. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)

### Test 4: Out from a Wide

- Law 22.9 allows Laws 35, 37, 38 and 39 only. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Stumped is an exception in Law 22.9. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Bowled is not among Laws 35, 37, 38 and 39. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Caught is not one of Laws 35, 37, 38 and 39. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Hit wicket is an exception in Law 22.9. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Run out is an exception in Law 22.9. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Obstructing the field is an exception in Law 22.9. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- LBW is not one of Laws 35, 37, 38 and 39. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Stumped is allowed off a Wide; a No ball allows only Laws 34, 37 and 38. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Hitting the ball twice is not among the four exceptions. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)

### Test 5: Wide and No ball side by side

- Laws 21.15 and 22.6 both award one run. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- Stumped is in Law 22.9 but not in Law 21.18. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- Law 34 is in Law 21.18 but not in Law 22.9. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)
- The Wide waits for the wicket, unlike the No ball for a foot fault. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.2)
- Law 21.13 and Law 22.3.2 both make No ball override Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.3.2)
- Law 21.14 and Law 22.5 both keep the ball live. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.5)
- Law 22.6 is the penalty for a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.6)
- Law 22.8 is Wide not to count. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.8)
- Law 22.7 and Law 21.16 both debit them to the bowler. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.7)
- Law 22.9 is headed Out from a Wide. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 22.9)

Sources: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 22 with Laws 17.3, 21.13, 21.14, 21.15, 21.17 and 21.18 as cross-references (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

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