Penalty Runs (5-Run Penalty)
Also known as: penalty runs, 5 penalty runs, five penalty runs, five run penalty, fake fielding penalty, ball hits the helmet behind the keeper, penalty runs in cricket, ball hits a fielding helmet
Umpires award 5 penalty runs for unfair play. The batting side gets them when a fielder fields illegally or fakes a fielding action to fool the batters. They also get them when the ball hits a fielding helmet left on the ground. The fielding side gets 5 runs for some batting offences, such as damaging the pitch.
Penalty runs are extras. They go to the team total, not to any batter or bowler. Under Law 41.17 they are scored as penalty extras and are added to any other runs from that ball. The batters do not change ends just because of the penalty.
The batting side gets 5 runs in several cases. A fielder might stop the ball with a cap, or with a shirt held out in the hands (Law 28.2). The ball might hit a helmet left on the ground behind the keeper (Law 28.3). A fielder might pretend to throw, or shout to fool the batters, which people call fake fielding (Law 41.5). Changing the condition of the ball also costs 5 runs (Law 41.3).
The fielding side can get 5 runs too. Batters who damage the pitch, waste time after a warning or try to steal a run can be penalised. When that happens, the runs go onto the fielding side's last completed innings, or their next one (Law 41.17.4).
Tips by skill level
If you are fielding, only ever stop the ball with your body. Never use your cap, a towel or a helmet.
As captain, check where your helmet sits before every over. A ball hitting it costs 5 runs, and the umpire does not need to be asked.
Example
A fielder throws his cap at the ball to stop it reaching the rope. The umpire calls dead ball, signals 5 penalty runs and adds them to the batting side's extras.
Why it matters
Five runs can decide a close match. Knowing the offences helps fielders avoid giving runs away and helps batters know when to ask the umpire.
Common mistakes
- Thinking penalty runs count towards a batter's own score
- Leaving a fielding helmet anywhere except behind the keeper
- Pretending to throw to stop the batters running
- Using a cap or towel to stop the ball
Frequently asked questions
What is 5 penalty runs for in cricket?
It is the standard penalty for unfair play. Illegal fielding, fake fielding, the ball hitting a fielding helmet on the ground and ball tampering all give the batting side 5 runs.
What happens if the ball hits the helmet behind the keeper?
The ball is dead and the batting side gets 5 penalty runs (Law 28.3). Runs already completed also count.
Is fake fielding against the rules?
Yes. A fielder may not try to distract, deceive or obstruct a batter by word or action (Law 41.5). The umpire calls dead ball and awards 5 runs to the batting side.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 28.2 (Fielding the ball illegally) and Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side), pp. 93-94
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 41.3 (The match ball: changing its condition), p. 119; Law 41.5 (Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter), p. 122
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 41.10 (Batter wasting time), p. 129; Law 41.14 (Batter damaging the pitch), p. 132; Law 41.16 (Batters stealing a run), p. 135; Law 41.17 (Penalty runs), p. 136
Related terms
- 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.
- Boundary (Four and Six)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.
- No-BallA no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket. Most commonly when the bowler's front foot lands beyond the popping crease — resulting in one extra run and the delivery being re-bowled. The batter cannot be out bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or hit wicket. Run out, hit the ball twice and obstructing the field still apply (Law 21.17).
- WideA wide is a delivery the umpire judges too wide, or too high, for the striker to hit with a normal cricket stroke from where they stand (Law 22.1). It adds one run and must be bowled again. Many competitions paint wide guide lines and set stricter limits in their playing conditions.
- Saliva Ban and Shining the BallBowlers cannot use saliva because MCC banned it in the Laws from October 2022. It found saliva unhygienic and open to abuse, and data showed sweat polished the ball just as well. Fielders may still shine the ball on their clothing with sweat, but no artificial substance.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.