A full toss in cricket is a type of delivery that a bowler bowls. This type of delivery does not pitch and is received directly by the batter. Unlike other deliveries which are bowled by pitching at accurate line and lengths, a full toss does not have a length.
A full toss is rarely strategic. In most cases, the delivery becomes a full toss when it is actually attempted as a yorker. A yorker is where the ball is bowled near the batter’s toes. A low full toss is a gift for the batters as it can be very easily hit. Moreover, if it is above the waist of the batter, then the umpires rule it as a no ball. This would result in a no ball and a free hit on the subsequent delivery for the batter. On a free hit, the batter cannot be ruled out except a run out and has the liberty of scoring as many runs as possible on that ball.
A full toss can be a lethal delivery some times. Even though a bowler does not intend to do so, a slip of the hand can result in the bowler hurling the ball directly to the batter’s body which can result in a serious injury.
A full toss can be strategic during the death overs only. This can only be when it is below the waist level and directed near the wide line. In this case the ball pitches outside the margins of pitch, behind the keeper and the batter.
A full toss is rarely opted for by the bowling side as it has more disadvantages than advantages in terms of scoring.
