Quick Singles — The Art of Running Between the Wickets
How quick calling and sharp running between wickets adds crucial runs without risk, and why poor running costs wickets.
Quick singles — the short, sharp run between wickets off a well-placed defensive shot or a push into a gap — are one of cricket's most reliable run-scoring methods. In a T20 innings, 40-50 singles can account for 40-50 runs before counting boundaries. But running between the wickets is also one of the riskiest activities in cricket — a poor call or a slow turn produces run-outs, one of the most costly dismissals in any format.
The Calling System
Running between wickets is governed by a calling system. 'Yes' means run; 'No' means stay; 'Wait' means hold for a moment. The batter who plays the shot is responsible for the call on the off side; the non-striker calls for the leg side. Once a 'Yes' is called, both batters commit and run hard. Changing a 'Yes' to 'No' mid-run, or hesitating after a call, produces the confusion that causes run-outs. The rule is: call early, call clearly, and commit.
Reading the Field
Good runners read the fielding positions before the ball is bowled. If cover is standing deep, a push into that area is a comfortable single. If cover is in the ring and the ball reaches them, any run requires a very fast turn. The non-striker's job includes scanning the field before each delivery and communicating to the striker which areas are safe to run to. In high-pressure chases this communication becomes a tactical asset — running hard to keep the better batter on strike.
Turning and Diving
The turn at the end of the crease is where speed is lost or gained. Efficient runners slide the bat along the ground and turn immediately — not straightening up before turning, which wastes momentum. When the fielder has the ball and the run-out is a possibility, diving the bat over the crease line while running is faster than trying to sprint in. The bat can arrive at the crease fraction of a second before the body — and that fraction of a second is the difference between safe and out.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a run-out caused by a bad call?
The batter who called 'Yes' then 'No' or who was in the wrong end is responsible. Generally the convention is that the batter who was dismissed is 'out' regardless of fault.
How fast should a single be?
A single that covers 20 metres (approx.) should be completed in under 4 seconds for an international cricketer. The throw, the keeper receiving, and putting down the stumps adds time — the difference between 3.5 and 4.5 second runs is the margin.
Can both batters run to the same end?
No — if both batters run to the same end, the fielding team can dismiss the batter who has left their crease by putting down the stumps at the other end.