Backing Up at the Non-Striker's End: Rules and the Mankad Dismissal
What backing up means for the non-striker in cricket, how far is acceptable, and the controversial Mankad run-out law — when a bowler can run out the non-striker.
Backing up is the act of the non-striker advancing down the pitch before the bowler delivers the ball — to gain a head start on running between the wickets. Backing up correctly is smart cricket: starting a fraction early on a clear single can be the difference between making the run and being run out. However, leaving too early (before the bowler releases the ball) is both against the Laws and leads to the Mankad dismissal.
How Much Backing Up Is Legal
The non-striker may leave the crease to back up, but must not have any part of their body or bat outside the popping crease at the bowler's end until the ball has left the bowler's hand. Starting from behind the crease and moving out as the ball is released is the correct technique. Moving before the ball is released is the 'backing up too far' that leads to a Mankad.
The Mankad Dismissal
A 'Mankad' is when the bowler runs out the non-striker during the delivery stride — before completing the delivery action — because the non-striker has left the crease early. The dismissal is named after Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad, who twice dismissed Bill Brown (Australia) this way in a 1947 Test series — prompting widespread debate about sportsmanship.
Law Change (2022)
The Mankad dismissal was reclassified in the 2022 MCC Laws revision. Previously listed under 'Unfair Play', it was moved to Law 38 (Run Out) — making it a standard run-out, not a special category. This change was controversial but reflected the view that the non-striker who backs up too far is taking an unfair advantage, and the bowler is entitled to dismiss them.
Best Practice
The best cricket practice: back up actively (start moving as the bowler's arm comes through) but ensure your bat is behind the crease until the ball has left the bowler's hand. A measured, progressive backing up gains most of the benefit without the Mankad risk. Coaches teach the 'one bat-length behind at delivery' guideline as a safe starting position.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mankad in cricket?
A Mankad is a run-out of the non-striker by the bowler during the delivery stride — before completing the bowling action — because the non-striker has left the crease early. The dismissal is named after Vinoo Mankad (India), who used it twice in a 1947 Test series. It was reclassified as a standard run-out under Law 38 in the 2022 MCC Laws revision.
Is the Mankad dismissal fair?
The Mankad is legally valid and has been reclassified as a standard run-out (not unfair play) in the 2022 MCC Laws. The argument for fairness: the non-striker gains an unfair advantage by leaving early, and the bowler is entitled to enforce the Law. The argument against: it feels unsporting because the focus should be on the delivery, not the non-striker. The consensus is increasingly that it is legitimate if the non-striker is warned.
How far should the non-striker back up?
The non-striker should start behind the popping crease and progressively move forward as the bowler's arm swings through — ensuring no part of their body or bat is beyond the crease until the ball has left the bowler's hand. Starting a metre behind the crease and reaching the crease exactly as the ball is released is the ideal — maximum running head-start without Mankad risk.