Stumped
Also known as: stumping, stumped out, getting stumped, out stumped
A batter is out stumped if the wicket-keeper breaks the wicket while they are out of their ground and not attempting a run. No other fielder may be involved. You cannot be stumped off a no ball, but you can be stumped off a wide. Keep part of your bat or body grounded behind the popping crease.
Stumped is covered by Law 39 and applies only to the striker. Being out of your ground means no part of your bat or body is grounded behind the popping crease. The striker must not be attempting a run. The keeper must break the wicket without another fielder being involved. The delivery must not be a no ball. A wide does not prevent a stumping.
If the striker is attempting a run, the dismissal is run out instead. If the conditions for a stumping are met, it is given as stumped even when run out would also apply. The ball can rebound onto the stumps off the keeper's body or pads, or be kicked or thrown on by the keeper. That still counts. A striker who leaves their ground only to avoid injury is not out stumped. The keeper must stay wholly behind the wicket until the ball passes it, touches the striker or bat, or the striker attempts a run.
Stumpings usually come against spin, or against medium pace with the keeper standing up. The batter comes down the pitch, misses the ball and cannot get back. To avoid it, use your feet only when you can reach the pitch of the ball, and stay balanced. If you are beaten, get your back foot or bat back behind the crease straight away. When playing forward in defence, keep the back foot grounded behind the line.
Tips by skill level
Practise forward defence against spin with the popping crease clearly marked. Check that your back foot stays grounded behind it every time.
When you use your feet, commit early and go far enough to reach the ball. Being only halfway down the pitch leaves you stranded if you miss.
Example
The batter dances down to the off-spinner and misses a ball that turns past the edge. He is still out of his ground when the keeper gathers it and breaks the wicket. He is out stumped.
Why it matters
Using your feet against spin is a valuable skill, but it carries this risk. Knowing exactly how a stumping works helps you take the chance safely.
Common mistakes
- Lifting or dragging the back foot over the popping crease while playing forward to spin
- Coming down the pitch without reaching the pitch of the ball
- Assuming you are safe because the ball was called wide
- Standing still after missing instead of getting the bat or a foot back behind the crease
Frequently asked questions
How do you get stumped in cricket?
You are out stumped if the wicket-keeper breaks the wicket while you are out of your ground and not attempting a run. No other fielder can be involved. It cannot happen off a no ball, but it can happen off a wide.
Can you be stumped off a wide?
Yes. A wide does not stop a stumping, and the one-run penalty for the wide still counts. You cannot be stumped off a no ball.
What is the difference between stumped and run out?
Stumped applies to the striker when they are not attempting a run, and only the wicket-keeper is involved. If the batter is attempting a run, or another fielder is involved, it is run out instead.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 39 (Stumped), pp. 116-117
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 30.1 (When out of their ground), p. 99
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 27.3 (Position of wicket-keeper), p. 91
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 21.17 (Out from a No ball), pp. 74-75; Law 22.9 (Out from a Wide), p. 77
Related terms
- WicketIn cricket, a wicket refers both to the set of three stumps and two bails at each end of the pitch, and to the act of dismissing a batter — "taking a wicket" means getting a batter out.
- 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.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- 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.
- 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).
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.