Ways to Be Out in Cricket
Also known as: modes of dismissal, ways to get out, how many ways can you get out, types of dismissal, methods of dismissal, ways of getting out, timed out, obstructing the field, handled the ball
The 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.
Bowled (Law 32) means the bowler's delivery breaks the striker's wicket, even after touching the bat or body. Caught (Law 33) means a fielder catches the ball off the bat before it touches the ground. A glove on the hand holding the bat counts as bat. LBW (Law 36) covers a ball that would have hit the stumps but hits the batter first, within the Law's conditions. Run out (Law 38) and stumped (Law 39) both need the batter to be out of their ground when the wicket is broken. Hit wicket (Law 35) means the striker breaks their own wicket with the bat or body. It covers receiving the ball and setting off for a first run.
Hit the ball twice (Law 34) means wilfully striking the ball a second time, except to guard the wicket. Obstructing the field (Law 37) covers wilfully obstructing or distracting the fielders. It also covers striking the ball with a hand not holding the bat. That used to be a separate dismissal, handled the ball, until the 2017 Code. Timed out (Law 40) applies when a new batter is not ready within 3 minutes of a wicket falling or a batter retiring. ICC playing conditions cut this to 2 minutes in Tests and ODIs and 90 seconds in T20 internationals.
Some dismissals depend on the delivery. Off a no ball, a batter can be out only hit the ball twice, obstructing the field or run out. Off a wide, a batter can be out hit wicket, obstructing the field, run out or stumped. A batter who retires through illness or injury is 'retired not out' and may come back. One who retires for another reason is 'retired out' unless the opposing captain agrees they can resume. An umpire will not give a batter out unless the fielding side appeals.
Tips by skill level
Start with bowled, caught, LBW, run out and stumped. Then learn which dismissals still apply off a no ball or a wide.
Know how each dismissal works with no balls and wides. It changes how you run and how far you can safely leave your ground on those deliveries.
Example
A club scorebook shows one innings with batters out bowled, caught, LBW, run out and stumped. The last batter is timed out after taking too long to reach the crease.
Why it matters
Knowing every way you can be out helps you protect your wicket. It also helps you understand umpires' decisions and the scorebook.
Common mistakes
- Thinking you cannot be out at all off a no ball, when run out still applies
- Calling handled the ball a separate dismissal, though it is now part of obstructing the field
- Assuming the umpire will give you out without an appeal
- Forgetting that a new batter can be timed out for being slow to the crease
Frequently asked questions
How many ways can you get out in cricket?
Nine, under the Laws of Cricket: bowled, caught, hit the ball twice, hit wicket, LBW, obstructing the field, run out, stumped and timed out. A batter who retires for a reason other than illness, injury or another unavoidable cause, and does not resume, is recorded as retired out.
What are the different ways to be dismissed in cricket?
The main ones are bowled, caught, LBW, run out and stumped. The others are hit wicket, hit the ball twice, obstructing the field and timed out. A batter can also be recorded as retired out.
Can you be out off a no ball?
Yes, but only three ways: hit the ball twice, obstructing the field or run out. You cannot be bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or out hit wicket off a no ball.
Is handled the ball still a way of getting out?
Not as a separate dismissal. Since the 2017 Code, striking the ball with a hand not holding the bat is covered by obstructing the field.
How long does a new batter have to come in after a wicket falls?
Under the Laws, 3 minutes from the wicket falling to being ready to face, or for the other batter to be ready. ICC playing conditions cut this to 2 minutes in Tests and ODIs and 90 seconds in T20 internationals. Miss it and the new batter is out timed out.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Laws 32-40 (Bowled to Timed out), pp. 103-117
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 25.4 (Batter retiring), p. 84; Law 31.1 (appeals), p. 100
- 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
- MCC: Summary of changes to the Laws of Cricket 2017 Code (Handled the ball merged into Obstructing the field)
- ICC Men's Test Match Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 40.1.1: two minutes (p. 60)
- ICC Men's T20I Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 40.1.1: 1 minute 30 seconds (p. 57)
- ICC Men's ODI Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 40.1.1: two minutes (p. 58)
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.
- BowledBowled is a dismissal where the ball, delivered by the bowler, hits the stumps and dislodges at least one bail. It still counts as bowled if the ball first touches the batter's bat or body on the way to the stumps (Law 32.1.1).
- 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).
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)LBW is a mode of dismissal. Under specific conditions, the umpire can rule the batter leg before wicket. That applies if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first.
- 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.
- StumpedA 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.
- Hit WicketA batter is out hit wicket if they break their own stumps with their bat or body while preparing to play, or playing, the ball. It also applies when they knock the stumps while regaining balance after the shot, or while setting off for their first run. You cannot be out hit wicket off a no ball, but you can be off a wide.
- Running Out the Non-Striker (Mankad)The bowler can run out a non-striker who leaves their crease too early. If the non-striker is out of their ground before the bowler's arm reaches the top of the normal delivery swing. The bowler may break the wicket by hand or with a throw. It is a legal run out under Law 38.3, often called 'Mankading'. Once the bowler's arm passes that point, it is too late.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.