Bowled
The ball delivered by the bowler hits the stumps and dislodges a bail, whether or not it first touches the bat or the batter's body.
Cricket laws
Nine ways to get out in cricket
Every dismissal in the Laws, in plain language, with who is credited with the wicket and a few special cases.
The nine dismissals
The Laws of Cricket set out nine ways a batter can be out. The bowler is credited with a wicket for only some of them, which matters for bowling averages and records.
Caught
A fielder catches the ball cleanly before it touches the ground after it has hit the bat or the glove holding the bat.
Leg before wicket (LBW)
The ball hits the batter's body without touching the bat first, would have gone on to hit the stumps, and did not pitch outside leg stump. If the ball hits the batter outside off stump, the batter must not have been playing a shot.
Run out
A fielder breaks the wicket while the batter is out of their ground. Since 2022 this includes a non-striker out of their ground before the bowler releases the ball.
Stumped
The wicketkeeper breaks the wicket while the batter is out of their ground and not attempting a run, after the batter has missed the ball.
Hit wicket
The batter breaks their own wicket with the bat or body while playing a shot or setting off for a run.
Hit the ball twice
The batter hits the ball a second time deliberately, other than to protect the wicket or with a fielder's consent.
Obstructing the field
The batter deliberately obstructs a fielder. Handling the ball is covered under this dismissal.
Timed out
A new batter does not take their place, ready to face, within the time set by the playing conditions after the last wicket falls.
Who is credited with the wicket?
| Dismissal | Credited to the bowler? |
|---|---|
| Bowled | Yes |
| Caught | Yes |
| Leg before wicket (LBW) | Yes |
| Run out | No |
| Stumped | Yes |
| Hit wicket | Yes |
| Hit the ball twice | No |
| Obstructing the field | No |
| Timed out | No |
Out off a no-ball or a wide
A no-ball is a free hit in limited-overs cricket in many competitions, and in every format a batter cannot be bowled, caught, LBW or stumped off it. They can still be run out, hit the ball twice or obstruct the field. Off a wide, a batter can be stumped, run out or hit wicket.
Appeals and the umpire
Most dismissals need the fielding side to appeal. Bowled and a few others can be given without an appeal, but the fielding side usually asks the umpire. Where the Decision Review System is in use, a team can ask for technology to check a decision. Ball tracking for LBW has an "umpire's call" band, where a marginal result stays with the on-field decision.
Not dismissals
- Retired hurt. The batter leaves injured and is not out.
- Declaration. The captain ends the innings voluntarily.
How dismissals appear on a scorecard
A scorecard writes "b Bowler" for bowled, "c Fielder b Bowler" for caught, "lbw b Bowler", "st Keeper b Bowler" for stumped, "run out (Fielder)" and "hit wicket b Bowler". Compare the fielding positions to see where catches are taken.
Common questions
How many ways are there to get out in cricket?
Nine under the Laws of Cricket: bowled, timed out, caught, hit the ball twice, hit wicket, leg before wicket, obstructing the field, run out and stumped.
Which dismissals are credited to the bowler?
Bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped and hit wicket. Run out, timed out, hit the ball twice and obstructing the field are not.
Can a batter be out off a no-ball?
Only in some ways. Off a no-ball a batter cannot be bowled, caught, LBW or stumped, but can still be run out, hit the ball twice or obstructing the field.
Is retired hurt a dismissal?
No. A batter who retires hurt is not out and may return later in the innings if fit.