Boundary (Four and Six)
Also known as: boundary four, boundary six, boundary rope, boundary line, boundary allowance, runs for a six, six in cricket
A boundary is scored when the ball reaches or crosses the edge of the playing area. If the batter hits the ball and it lands beyond the boundary without touching the ground first, it is six runs. If it bounces or rolls over first, or reaches it without being hit by the bat, it is four. A ball that touches the rope, or a fielder who is touching the ground beyond it, counts as reaching the boundary.
Law 19 covers boundaries. The boundary is usually a white line or a rope. For a line, the edge nearest the pitch is the boundary. For a rope or other object, it is the edge of the part touching the ground nearest the pitch. The ball is beyond the boundary if it touches the boundary, the ground beyond it, an object beyond it, or a fielder grounded beyond it.
A six is scored only if the ball was hit by the bat and first lands beyond the boundary without touching the ground inside it. That holds even if a fielder touched the ball on the way. Everything else that reaches the boundary is four, including byes, leg byes and overthrows. Six and four are the standard allowances, though the umpires and captains can agree different ones for a ground before the toss.
If the batters had already run more than the boundary allowance, they get the higher number. For an overthrow that reaches the boundary, the team gets the boundary plus the runs completed when the throw was made. The run in progress counts too if the batters had already crossed.
Fielders near the rope have their own rule. A fielder in the air counts as beyond the boundary if their last contact with the ground was not fully inside it. Under the current Laws and ICC playing conditions, the first touch must come from inside. After that, a fielder may jump from outside to knock the ball back in the air. But must then land inside the field and stay there until the ball is dead. Otherwise it is a boundary.
Tips by skill level
When fielding on the boundary, stand a stride inside the rope. That gives you room to move without stepping on it.
For relay catches and saves at the rope, practise the one-touch rule with a partner. Push the ball back inside before you land, then make sure you land inside the field.
Example
The batter lofts the ball over long-on and it lands just past the rope without bouncing: six runs. The next ball is driven along the ground and rolls over the rope: four runs.
Why it matters
Boundaries are the fastest way to score. Knowing exactly when the ball counts as over the rope helps batters, fielders and scorers alike.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a ball that lands on the rope on the full is four, when it is six
- Fielders touching the rope while stopping the ball, which gives away the boundary
- Assuming byes or leg byes over the rope can be six
- Landing outside the rope after an airborne touch made from outside it
Frequently asked questions
How many runs is a boundary in cricket?
Six if the batter hits the ball over the boundary without it touching the ground first, and four if it bounces or rolls over. Grounds can agree different allowances before the toss, but six and four are standard.
Is it six if the ball lands on the rope on the full?
Yes. The rope is the boundary, so a ball off the bat that lands on it without bouncing first is six.
Is it six if the ball touches a fielder and goes over?
Yes, if the batter hit it and it goes over the boundary without touching the ground inside. A fielder touching it on the way does not change that.
Can a fielder jump from outside the boundary to stop a six?
Only after a first touch made from inside the boundary. They may then jump from outside to knock the ball back in the air. But must land inside the field and stay there until the ball is dead.
Sources
Related terms
- Power Hitting (Six Hitting)Power hitting comes from a stable base, a still head and fast bat speed through the ball, not from swinging harder with the arms. Read the length early and clear your front leg if you need room. Swing through the line with a full face and full extension.
- Outfield PlayOutfield play refers to fielding beyond the inner ring near the boundary, where players must intercept, chase, slide, and throw powerfully to prevent boundaries and effect run-outs.
- CaughtCaught is a way of being out in cricket. The batter is out when a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, after it has come off the bat or a glove on the hand holding the bat (Laws 33.1 and 5.6).
- Byes and Leg ByesByes are runs the batters take when the ball misses both the bat and the batter's body, usually because it also beats the keeper. Leg byes are runs taken after the ball hits the batter's body but not the bat. The umpire allows leg byes only if the batter tried to play the ball with the bat or tried to get out of its way. Both are extras: they count for the team but not for the batter, and they are not charged to the bowler.
- Lofted DriveA lofted drive lifts the ball over the fielders instead of along the ground. Get close to the pitch of the ball, keep your head still and swing through the line with a full face and a high finish. Choose a full ball and check the field first. Decide whether you only need to clear the infield or go all the way.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.