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Cricket · Laws of Cricket

Law 23: Bye and Leg Bye

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

Law 23 sets out Byes (runs from a ball that passes the striker without touching bat or person), Leg byes (runs after the ball first strikes the striker's person, when the striker played at it or tried to avoid it), to whom the runs are credited, a wilful lawful second strike, the No ball penalty incurred with Byes and Leg byes, and when Leg byes are not awarded and the umpire calls Dead ball, disallows the runs and returns the batters.

23.231Bye and Leg Bye: Byes, Leg Byes and the Striker's Person

Byes from a ball that passes untouched, the two conditions for Leg byes after the ball strikes the striker's person, to whom the runs are credited, the wilful lawful second strike, the No ball penalty incurred with Byes and Leg byes, and what counts as the striker's person (Appendix A.12).

Test 1Byes: the ball passes untouchedTake a test

  1. Byes arise when a ball that is not a Wide goes past the striker having touched neither bat nor person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  2. Law 23.1 credits them to the batting side, not to any batter.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  3. Law 23.1 opens with a ball, not being a Wide.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  4. Law 23.1 lists the runs completed and a boundary allowance.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  5. Nothing touched the bat or person, so the runs are Byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  6. A boundary allowance from an untouched ball is scored as Byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  7. The Bye is scored and the one-run No ball penalty is added.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  8. Law 23.1 adds that the one-run penalty is incurred additionally.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  9. Law 23.1 is headed Byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  10. Byes come from a ball that never touched the bat.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

Test 2Leg byes: the two conditionsTake a test

  1. Law 23.2.1: he attempted to play the ball or tried to avoid being hit.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  2. Either condition suffices: Law 23.2.1 joins them with or.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  3. The second condition is tried to avoid being hit.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  4. A stroke at the ball meets the first condition.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  5. Ducking away is a way of trying to avoid being hit.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  6. Law 23.2.1 puts the decision with the umpire.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  7. Law 23.2.1 is the first sub-clause of Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  8. Leg byes need the ball to first strike the person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  9. Law 23.2.1 applies only when the person is struck first.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  10. Either playing at the ball or avoiding it satisfies the Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

Test 3Leg byes: to whom the runs goTake a test

  1. With no later contact the runs are scored as Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · recall

  2. Since nothing touched him afterwards, the runs stay as extras for the batting side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  3. Only inadvertent contact with his person leaves them as Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · applied

  4. Subsequent contact with his bat means the runs are credited to the striker.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · applied

  5. Law 23.2.3 says the runs, unless credited to the striker, shall be scored as Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · recall

  6. Law 23.2.2.1 sets out when the striker is credited.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · recall

  7. A boundary allowance from a pad hit is scored as Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  8. Leg byes are extras for the batting side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · recall

  9. Law 23.2.2.1 credits the striker in the case of subsequent contact with his bat.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · recall

  10. Leg byes are credited to the batting side, not the striker.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

Test 4A second strike, the No ball penalty and the striker's personTake a test

  1. Law 23.2.2.2 sends the reader to Laws 34.3 and 34.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.2 · recall

  2. Law 23.2.2.2 is the second-strike sub-clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.2 · recall

  3. Law 34.3 is Ball lawfully struck more than once.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.2 · recall

  4. Law 34.4 governs the runs allowed once the striker has legally hit the ball a second time.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.2 · recall

  5. A No ball brings its own run on top of the Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  6. Two Leg byes plus the one-run No ball penalty.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  7. Byes carry it in 23.1 and Leg byes in 23.2.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · recall

  8. Appendix A.12: a hand, gloved or not, that is not holding the bat is part of the batter's person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  9. Appendix A.12 says a glove being held but not worn is part of the batter's person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  10. Appendix A.12 excludes a batter's bat from his person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

Test 5Byes and Leg byes: casesTake a test

  1. An untouched ball gives Byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  2. A condition is met and the pad was struck first.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  3. Contact with the bat first means Leg byes do not arise.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  4. Byes need an untouched delivery that is not a Wide.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  5. Leg byes need the person struck and a condition met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · recall

  6. Law 23.2.1 asks the umpire to be satisfied for Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  7. Appendix A.12 counts worn protective equipment as part of the person, and he tried to avoid the ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  8. Contact with a fielder does not change Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · applied

  9. Law 23 is headed Bye and Leg bye.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  10. Law 23 covers Byes and Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

23.232Bye and Leg Bye: Leg Byes Not to Be Awarded

When Leg byes are refused because neither condition is met, the umpire's Dead ball call at the boundary or the first run, the four actions that follow (disallow all runs, return a not out batter, signal No ball, award a 5-run Penalty except under Law 28.3), and true statements, errors and mixed cases on the whole of Law 23.

Test 1Leg byes not to be awardedTake a test

  1. Law 23.3: if neither condition has been met, Leg byes shall not be awarded.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  2. Both conditions are missing, so Law 23.3 refuses Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  3. Law 23.3 is the third clause of Law 23.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  4. Law 23.3 applies in the circumstance of 23.2.1 with neither condition met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  5. Being on target does not satisfy either condition.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  6. Law 23.3 says the umpire considers this.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  7. Law 23.3 disallows all runs to the batting side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  8. Trying to avoid being hit satisfies Law 23.2.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  9. Law 23.3 begins with neither of the conditions having been met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  10. Every run from the ball is lost to the batting side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

Test 2When the umpire calls Dead ball under Law 23.3Take a test

  1. Law 23.3: as soon as the ball reaches the boundary or at the completion of the first run.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  2. The call is made at the completion of the first run.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  3. The boundary is one of the two triggers.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  4. Two things end play: the ball reaching the rope, or one run being complete.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  5. Law 23.3 names both, so the earlier one triggers the call.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  6. Law 23.3 requires the umpire to call and signal Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  7. The call comes at the completion of the first run.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  8. The first run completing is enough to trigger Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  9. Law 23.3 speaks of a ball that does not become dead for any other reason.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  10. Law 23.3 gives two triggers.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

Test 3What the umpire does after Dead ballTake a test

  1. Disallow the runs, return a not out batter, signal No ball, award a 5-run Penalty.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  2. Law 23.3 returns any not out batter to the original end.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  3. The Law returns any not out batter.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  4. Law 23.3: signal No ball to the scorers if applicable.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  5. In the Law 23.3 procedure the umpire still awards any 5-run Penalty that applies, except the one for a ball striking a fielding-side helmet on the ground (Law 28.3).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  6. Law 28.3 is the one exception.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  7. Law 23.3 excepts Law 28.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  8. Leg byes are refused, not credited.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  9. All runs to the batting side are disallowed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  10. Law 28.3 is Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

Test 4Reading Law 23: true statements and errorsTake a test

  1. Law 23.1 describes an untouched delivery that is not a Wide.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  2. Law 23.2.1 sets the two conditions.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · recall

  3. The refusal is limited to the case where both conditions are absent, no other.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  4. Law 23.1, 23.2 and 23.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23 · recall

  5. A ball that hits the pad gives Leg byes, if a condition is met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  6. The note demands too much; the Law needs only one of the two.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

  7. Leg byes are extras and go to the batting side.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  8. Laws 23.1 and 23.2.3 add the No ball penalty.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  9. Law 23.3 names the boundary and the first run.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  10. A ball touching the bat first gives runs off the bat.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.1 · applied

Test 5Law 23 in mixed casesTake a test

  1. A condition is met, so the runs stand as Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  2. With nothing awarded, the batting side get no runs from that ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  3. All runs are disallowed, but the No ball penalty is still signalled to the scorers.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · applied

  4. Four for the rope, all scored to the side, then the penalty run on top makes five.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · applied

  5. Law 23 deals with Byes and Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.1 · recall

  6. Law 23 is headed Bye and Leg bye.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23 · recall

  7. A fielder's later touch does not alter Leg byes.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

  8. It is only a later touch of the bat that moves the credit to the striker.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.1 · recall

  9. The difference is whether one of the two conditions has been met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.3 · recall

  10. Byes come from an untouched ball; Leg byes from a ball that first struck his person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.3 · applied

Sources

MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 23 with Laws 21.15, 22.7, 28.3, 34.3, 34.4 and Appendix A.12 (the person) 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 23.335
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.119
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.119
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.314
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.17
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 23.2.2.24
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 232