Cricket is a sport loved and played by millions around the world, with unique rules and gameplay which can sometimes be a little complex. One critical aspect of cricket is the ways a player can be dismissed or “get out.” In this article, we will explore the standard ways to get out in cricket and the rare dismissals that you might encounter during the game. Let’s dive right in and explore the game’s basics and the objective before exploring the many ways to get out.
Understanding the Basics of Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams, with each team consisting of 11 players. The game is believed to have originated in England in the 16th century and has since become a popular sport in many countries, especially in India, Australia, and England.
How “Getting Out” Works
If you’re brand new to cricket, the objective of the game is for a team to score more runs than the other team. A run is scored each time a batter successfully runs to the other end of the pitch without getting “run out”.
When batting, if the ball goes over the boundary and hits the ground or rolls on the way, the batting team scores four runs. If the ball is hit over the boundary without bouncing, the batting team scores six runs.
However, the batter may be dismissed if certain things happen in a delivery, which we’ll be covering in this guide. Once out, the next batter comes in until there are none left. The goal for the bowling team is to get the other team “all out” which means dismissing 10 batters (the eleventh is left without a partner so the innings ends after 10).
This is called “getting out” and there are a few obvious ways, such as the ball hitting the stumps (bowled). But how many ways to get out are there?
The Ten Ways to Get Out in Cricket
Cricket is a sport full of rules and regulations, and one of the most important aspects of the game is how a batsman can be dismissed. There are ten ways in which a batsman can be given out in cricket, and each one has its own unique set of circumstances.
Bowled
Bowled is the most common method of dismissal in cricket, where the bowler bowls the ball towards the batsman’s wicket, and the ball hits the wicket, toppling the stumps. The batsman is then considered out as long as it was a legal delivery. This method of dismissal is often the result of an excellent delivery from the bowler, who has managed to outsmart the batsman with their skill and precision.
Caught
If the batsman strikes the ball, and it is caught by the fielder without bouncing on the ground, then the batsman is considered out. This method of dismissal can be the result of a fantastic catch by the fielder, who has managed to anticipate the batsman’s shot and position themselves perfectly to take the catch. It is also possible that the ball will just nick the outside of the bat, which still counts as caught if a fielder or wicket keeper takes the catch.
Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
If the ball strikes the batsman’s leg before hitting the bat or the stumps and the umpire believes that the ball would have gone on to hit the wicket, then the batsman is out LBW. This method of dismissal can be controversial, as it requires the umpire to make a judgement call on whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps or not.
There are also some complex rules, and the delivery must have hit the leg in a certain place, and pitched in-line with the stumps in order to count.
Run Out
The run-out occurs when a fielder hits the wicket with the ball while the batsman is running between the wickets without having reached the crease area. This method of dismissal can be the result of a miscommunication between the batsmen, or a fantastic piece of fielding by the opposition.
Stumped
The stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper catches the ball from the bowler and removes the bails of the wicket, with the batsman outside the crease. This method of dismissal can be the result of a clever piece of keeping by the wicketkeeper, who has managed to catch the batsman off guard, or bowling that entices the batter down the pitch.
Hit Wicket
If a batsman unintentionally hits their wicket with the bat or any part of his body while batting, then the batsman is considered “hit wicket” and is out. This method of dismissal can be the result of a momentary lapse in concentration from the batsman, who has accidentally made contact with the stumps.
Handled the Ball
If a batsman intentionally touches the ball with his hand, without the permission of the fielders, to prevent being caught or make contact with the ball, then the batsman is out. This method of dismissal is rare, but can occur if the batsman is desperate to avoid being caught and resorts to using their hand to protect themselves.
Obstructing the Field
If a batsman wilfully obstructs a fielder in the act of fielding, the umpires can declare the batsman out by obstruction of the field. This method of dismissal can be controversial, as it requires the umpires to make a judgement call on whether the batsman was intentionally obstructing the fielder or not.
Hit the Ball Twice
A batsman cannot hit the ball twice intentionally; if he does, the non-striker is declared as out by the umpire in accordance with the laws of cricket. This method of dismissal is rare, but can occur if the batsman accidentally hits the ball twice in an attempt to defend their wicket.
Timed Out
If the next batsman doesn’t arrive within three minutes of the previous dismissal, then the umpires can consider the batsman as timed out. This method of dismissal is rare, but can occur if the team is disorganised or if there is a delay in the arrival of the next batsman.
“After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”
Unusual and Rare Dismissals
Mankading
Mankading is the rarest and unconventional dismissal in cricket. It occurs when the bowler notices that the non-striker leaves the crease area before he bowls, and the bowler runs out the batsman instead of bowling. This dismissal is considered to be unsportsmanlike by some, and has been the subject of much controversy.
Retired Out
A batsman must consult the umpires before retiring. Then, he can return to the crease only if another player of his team already gets dismissed, retire in both innings, or some other circumstances. Retiring is usually down to injury and referred to as “retired hurt”.
Understanding these dismissals will make cricket all the more fun to play and watch (and leave you feeling less confused) whether you’re a new player or an avid fan.
