Short Run in Cricket
Also known as: short run, one short, running short, short run rule, deliberate short run, not grounding the bat
A short run happens when a batter turns for another run without first making their ground at the end. That run does not count, and the umpire signals one short. If the umpires decide batters ran short on purpose, no runs count, and the fielding side gets 5 penalty runs.
Law 18.3 defines a short run. A batter must ground their bat or body behind the popping crease before turning back. If they turn early, the run is short. Each completed run after that is not short, even though the short run shortened it. The striker can also set off for the first run from in front of the popping crease without penalty.
For an accidental short run, the umpire calls and signals Short run, and that run is not scored. If both batters run short in the same run, it counts as one short run. If a boundary is scored after a short run, the short running is ignored. That does not apply when the boundary comes from an overthrow or a fielder's wilful act.
Deliberate short running is treated as unfair play. That is when batters try to look as if they ran more runs while one does not make their ground. Under Law 18.5, no runs count except penalties. The fielding side gets 5 penalty runs, and the fielding captain chooses which batter faces next.
Tips by skill level
Slide your bat over the line at the end of every run, even if you are not turning back.
On tight turns, ground the bat early and low. Turn your body after the bat is behind the line.
Example
The batters run two. On the turn, the striker's bat lands a few inches short of the crease. The umpire taps his shoulder to signal one short, and only one run counts.
Why it matters
Every run counts in a close match. Grounding the bat properly costs nothing and saves runs.
Common mistakes
- Turning before the bat is grounded over the line
- Easing up on the first run when trying for two
- Not sliding the bat in at the end of each run
Frequently asked questions
What is a short run in cricket?
It is a run where a batter turns back before grounding their bat or body behind the crease. That run is not counted.
What happens if you deliberately run short?
No runs count except penalties. The fielding side gets 5 penalty runs, and their captain chooses who faces the next ball.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 18.3 (Short runs), pp. 52-53; Law 18.4 (Unintentional short runs), p. 53
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 18.5 (Deliberate short runs), pp. 53-54
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 2.13 (Short run signal: touching the nearer shoulder), p. 16
Related terms
- Calling Between the WicketsMany coaches teach that the striker calls for balls hit in front of the wicket and the non-striker calls for balls behind square, where the striker cannot see. Use three clear words: "yes", "no" and "wait". It is a coaching convention, not a Law. Agree it with your partner before you bat.
- CreaseThe crease is any of the white painted lines on the cricket pitch. These lines define legal bowling positions, the safe zone for batters, and the starting point for LBW and run-out adjudications.
- Run OutA run out happens when a fielder puts down the wicket while a batter is out of their ground, whether or not a run is being attempted (Law 38.1). The batter is out.
- 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.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.