All 10 Ways to Get Out in Cricket: Every Dismissal Type Explained
Cricket has 10 legitimate dismissal types. From the common (bowled, caught, LBW) to the rare (timed out, handled the ball) — here is every way a batter can be dismissed under the Laws of Cricket.
The 10 modes of dismissal
Under the Laws of Cricket (Law 35 to Law 39), there are 10 modes of dismissal: Bowled, Timed Out, Caught, Handled the Ball, Hit the Ball Twice, Hit Wicket, LBW (Leg Before Wicket), Obstructing the Field, Run Out, and Stumped. Of these, 'Handled the Ball' was merged into 'Obstructing the Field' in the 2017 Law revision, effectively making it 9 distinct methods in modern cricket — though 10 modes are still listed historically.
The most common dismissals
1. Bowled — The ball hits and dislodges the stumps/bails directly off the bat (or through/around the bat). 2. Caught — A fielder (including the bowler or wicketkeeper) catches the ball cleanly before it touches the ground after the batter hits it. 3. LBW — The ball would have hit the stumps but is intercepted by the batter's body (usually the leg/pad) in front of the stumps. 4. Run Out — A fielder breaks the stumps while the batter is out of their crease attempting a run. 5. Stumped — The wicketkeeper breaks the stumps while the batter is outside their crease, having played or missed the ball (not attempting a run — if they are attempting a run, it becomes a run-out).
The rarer dismissals
6. Hit Wicket — A batter dislodges their own stumps/bails with their bat or body while playing a shot or setting off for a run. 7. Obstructing the Field (including Handled the Ball) — A batter deliberately interferes with a fielder attempting to field the ball, or uses their hand to handle the ball without the fielding side's consent. 8. Hit the Ball Twice — A batter deliberately hits the ball twice, except to protect their wicket. 9. Timed Out — A new batter fails to take their guard within three minutes of a wicket falling. This dismissal is theoretical but was controversially applied for the first time in international cricket in 2023 (Angelo Mathews vs Bangladesh at the ODI World Cup). 10. Retired Out — Not listed in the 10 modes but achievable if a batter retires without illness/injury and the batting captain declines to allow them to return.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be out without the ball touching you?
Yes — a batter can be timed out (not arriving in time), can obstruct the field, or hit the ball twice. In all three cases, the dismissal does not require the ball to hit the batter.
What is 'handling the ball' now called?
Since the 2017 MCC Law revision, 'Handled the Ball' is covered under 'Obstructing the Field' (Law 37). A batter who intentionally uses their hand to deflect the ball is out obstructing the field.