Retired Hurt and Retired Out
Also known as: retired out, retired hurt, retired not out, retiring out in cricket, batter retiring, retire a batter
Retired out means a batter chose to leave the field for a reason other than injury or illness, and did not come back. Retired hurt, recorded as retired not out, means they left because of injury, illness or another unavoidable cause. A retired-hurt batter may resume. A retired-out batter may resume only with the opposing captain's consent.
Under Law 25.4, a batter may retire at any time when the ball is dead. The umpires must be told why. If the reason is illness, injury or another unavoidable cause, the batter may come back later. If they do not, they are recorded as Retired not out.
If the batter retires for any other reason, they may come back only if the opposing captain agrees. If they do not resume, they are recorded as Retired out. Teams sometimes use this tactically in limited-overs cricket, to bring in a faster scorer. A batter who resumes can only come in at the fall of a wicket or when another batter retires.
ICC international playing conditions are stricter. A batter who retires for any reason other than injury, illness or another unavoidable cause is recorded as Retired out. There is no option to resume with consent. ICC conditions also do not permit runners. Check your own competition's rules.
Tips by skill level
If you are hurt, wait until the ball is dead and tell the umpire before you leave.
In limited-overs cricket, retiring a struggling batter late in an innings can be a tactical option. Check your competition's playing conditions first.
Example
In a T20 match, a set batter is struggling to score in the last two overs. The team retires him out so a big hitter can come in.
Why it matters
Retiring can protect an injured player or change the batting order. Knowing the difference keeps the scorebook right and avoids surprises.
Common mistakes
- Retiring while the ball is still in play
- Not telling the umpires the reason
- Assuming a retired-out batter can always come back
Frequently asked questions
What does retired out mean in cricket?
It means a batter left for a reason other than injury or illness and did not resume. Under the Laws they can come back only with the opposing captain's consent.
What does retired hurt mean?
A batter left the field because of injury, illness or another unavoidable cause. They may come back later. If they do not, they are recorded as retired not out.
Can a retired hurt batter come back in?
Yes. They can resume at the fall of a wicket or when another batter retires.
Sources
Related terms
- Ways to Be Out in CricketThe Laws of Cricket list nine ways to be out. They are bowled, caught, hit the ball twice, hit wicket, LBW, obstructing the field, run out, stumped and timed out. A batter can also be recorded as 'retired out'. Off a no ball, only hit the ball twice, obstructing the field and run out apply.
- Batting Order and Batting RolesThe batting order is the sequence in which a team's batters come in. Openers face the new ball, the number 3 steadies or attacks, the middle order builds and finishes, and the lower order adds late runs. In limited-overs cricket, teams also name roles such as anchor, finisher and floater.
- Timed OutUnder Law 40, the next ball must be ready to be faced within 3 minutes of a wicket falling or a batter retiring. If not, the incoming batter is out timed out. ICC playing conditions shorten this to 2 minutes in Tests and ODIs and 90 seconds in T20 internationals. The fielding side must appeal.
- Concussion After a Blow to the HeadIf a batter is hit on the head or helmet and might be concussed, they should stop playing straight away. If in doubt, sit them out. They should be assessed by a healthcare professional within 24 hours. Under ECB recreational guidelines, there is no return to competitive cricket for at least 21 days after a confirmed concussion. Severe warning signs, such as repeated vomiting or worsening drowsiness, need emergency care.
- Concussion Substitutes (Concussion Replacements)In international cricket, a concussion substitute is a like-for-like player who replaces a concussed player for the rest of the match. The team doctor must confirm a concussion or suspected concussion from a head or neck injury during play. The match referee must then approve the request.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.