Different ways of getting out

Vaibhav Arora

How many ways do you think a batsman can get out. Bowled, caught, run-out, LBW, hit-wicket…go on. While no batsman in the game of cricket, no matter at which position he bats at, likes getting out, the rule book puts the total number of ways in which a batsman can be dismissed at 10. Some of these modes of dismissal are seen in every game while others are a rarity.

Here is a detailed explanation of these various ways of getting out in cricket:

Caught: The most common mode of dismissal in cricket, a batsman is declared out caught when a fielder catches the ball off his bat before it hits the ground. There has to be a contact between the bat (or the glove) and ball before being caught by the fielder, which means the batter is out even if the ball hits the pad and then the bat or vice versa. A batsman can’t be given out caught off a no-ball.

Bowled: A batsman is declared out bowled when a bowler manages to beat his defenses and hit the three wooden stumps behind him in such a manner that at least one of the two tiny pieces of wood known as the bails placed on top of the stumps is completely removed. It does not matter if the ball comes off the bat or pad but the batter can’t be out of a no-ball.

LBW: Leg before wicket is one of the more confusing rules in the game of cricket. A batsman is considered out LBW when the ball hits his pads in such a way that the umpire thinks it would have hit the stumps had it carried on unobstructed. However, certain factors that the umpire needs to consider before giving the batsman out in this fashion include that:

The ball should not have pitched outside the line of the leg stump and should not have hit the bat before striking the pad.

The ball should not strike the batter’s pads outside the line of the off stump when he is attempting to play a shot. One cannot be given out LBW off a no ball.

Run-out: A batsman is run out if he falls short of the crease, before the fielder breaks the stumps with the ball, while attempting a run. A batsman can be given run-out even off a no-ball.

Because the action takes place so quickly, the on-field umpire can refer the decision to a third umpire if he is unsure of the batsman having fallen short. The third umpire makes the decision with the help of slow motion TV replays.

Stumped: It is quite similar to being run-out with the only difference being that the batsman may not be attempting a run in this case but may have left the crease in an attempt to manufacture a shot.

A batsman is out stumped when the wicket-keeper manages to remove the bails while the batsman is outside the batting crease. While a batter can’t be given stumped out off a no ball, such a dismissal off a wide delivery is a common occurrence.

Handling the ball: A dismissal seen rarely in the game, a batsman can be given out handling the ball is he uses his hands to stop the ball from hitting the stumps after attempting a shot.

However, the use of pads, bat or feet to stop the ball from rolling on to the stumps is allowed.

Timed out: The law makes it mandatory for a new batter to enter the field and be ready to face the next ball within three minutes of the fall of a wicket, failing which the batsman can be declared timed out.

No particular person from the fielding side is credited for such a dismissal.

Double hit: If a batsman hits the ball deliberately for a second time in quick succession, he can be declared out double hit. However, he is allowed to prevent the ball from hitting the wicket with his bat.

Hit wicket: If a batsman hits the wickets with his body or bat while attempting to play a shot he is given out hit wicket. The bowler, in this case, is credited with the dismissal.

Obstructing the field: A batsman can be given out obstructing the field if the umpire thinks that he was deliberately attempting to prevent a fielder from taking a catch or making a run out. It is another rarely seen mode of dismissal in cricket.