Cricket, often referred to as the gentleman’s game, has a unique set of rules that govern the ways a batter can be dismissed. There are exactly ten official ways in which a batter can be given out in cricket according to the Laws of Cricket.
While some dismissals occur frequently in matches, others are so rare that they’ve seldom been witnessed even at the international level. This article explores all ten legal ways to dismiss a batter in cricket, from the common caught and bowled to the exceedingly rare timed out.
12 Legit Ways to Dismiss A Batter in Cricket
The art of dismissing a batter is fundamental to cricket, as it’s the primary way for the bowling team to restrict scoring and ultimately win matches. Getting a player out is the most efficient way for bowlers to halt scoring since it not only removes a set batter but also forces a new batter to take the crease.
New batters typically need time to adjust to pitch conditions before scoring freely, making dismissals crucial for the bowling side’s strategy.
| Type of Dismissal | Description |
|---|---|
| Bowled | When the ball hits and dislodges the stumps |
| Caught | When a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground |
| Leg Before Wicket (LBW) | When the ball would have hit the stumps if not for the batter’s leg/body |
| Run Out | When a batter fails to reach the crease before the stumps are broken |
| Stumped | When the wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batter is out of the crease |
| Hit Wicket | When the batter accidentally dislodges their own stumps |
| Handled the Ball | When a batter deliberately handles the ball with their hand |
| Hit the Ball Twice | When a batter deliberately hits the ball twice |
| Obstructing the Field | When a batter deliberately obstructs or distracts the fielding team |
| Timed Out | When a new batter takes more than three minutes to take guard |
| Retired Out | When a batter voluntarily leaves the field without umpire’s permission |
| Mankading | When the non-striker leaves the crease before the bowler releases the ball and bowler removes the bails |
1. Bowled
This is one of the most common dismissals in cricket. A batter is declared out bowled when the bowler’s ball strikes the wicket and the bails fall off. The dismissal stands even if the ball hits the batter’s pad, clothes, or equipment before hitting the stumps. Importantly, at least one bail must be dislodged for the batter to be considered bowled out.
2. Caught
Another frequent dismissal is when a batter is caught out. If a ball from the bowler touches a batter and then falls into the hands of any member of the fielding team—including the bowler—the batter is declared out caught. The ball must be caught before it touches the ground, and any fielder can take the catch, including the wicketkeeper and bowler.
3. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
This is one of the more complex ways a batsman can be dismissed. If the ball strikes the batsman’s leg (or any part of their body) and the umpire believes the ball would have hit the stumps if not for the interception, the batsman can be given out LBW. The decision involves several factors, including where the ball was pitched, where it struck the batsman, and whether it was in line with the stumps.
4. Run Out
A run-out occurs when a fielder hits the stumps with the ball while the batsman is out of their crease, attempting to take a run. Batters can be run out even off a no-ball. Another form of run out can take place when a bowler decides to run out the non-striker who is leaving the crease too early before the ball is delivered, commonly referred to as a ‘Mankad’.
5. Stumped
A batter may occasionally leave their crease to execute a cricket stroke. If the wicketkeeper gathers the ball and strikes the stump before the batter can return to the batting crease, they are ruled out stumped. This dismissal is most common against spin bowlers when batsmen advance down the pitch to counter the spin.
6. Hit Wicket
Sometimes a batter will unintentionally hit the stumps and knock the bails off, perhaps while attempting a shot. The bat, pad, or any other component of the batter could knock the bails loose. This can happen when the batsman loses balance or when a powerful stroke results in the bat swinging back onto the stumps.
7. Handled the Ball
A batsman can be given out if they intentionally handle the ball with a hand that is not holding the bat, except when returning the ball to the fielding side with their consent. Only ten times in Test cricket and three times in one-day internationals has a batsman fallen this way. Most of the dismissals involved a batsman knocking the ball away to stop it hitting the wicket.
8. Hit the Ball Twice
Another rare mode of dismissal is hitting the ball twice. If the batsman intentionally strikes the ball a second time, except to defend their stumps from being hit, they can be given out. No batsman has ever been dismissed hit the ball twice in any form of international cricket.
9. Obstructing the Field
Obstructing the field occurs when a batsman deliberately interferes with a fielder’s attempt to field the ball. This could involve using their bat or body to block a throw or prevent a catch. Only once in Test cricket has a batsman been dismissed obstructing the field, in 1951.
10. Timed Out
Timed out is a unique dismissal that occurs when the next batsman fails to appear at the crease within three minutes of the previous dismissal. Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews, due to a helmet malfunction, became the first player to be timed out in international cricket during the 2023 ODI World Cup against Bangladesh.
11. Retired Out
When a batter voluntarily leaves the field of play without the umpire’s permission and without a genuine injury. Unlike “Retired Hurt,” this is not a temporary pause and results in dismissal unless the opposing captain consents to a return.
12. Mankading
When the non-striker leaves the crease before the bowler releases the ball, and the bowler removes the bails at the non-striker’s end. This is a legal dismissal under the Run Out law, though often debated for its “spirit of the game” implications.
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Conclusion: There are 12 Official Ways That A Batter Can Be Dismissed in Cricket
The ten methods of dismissal add layers of complexity and excitement to cricket. While dismissals like caught, bowled, and LBW occur regularly in matches, others such as hit the ball twice, handled the ball, and timed out are exceptionally rare.
These varied dismissal methods contribute to cricket’s tactical depth and unique character as a sport. For batters, understanding all these dismissal types is essential to developing defensive techniques and scoring strategies, while bowlers and fielders constantly seek opportunities to exploit these rules and send batters back to the pavilion.
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