Running Between Wickets: Communication, Calling, and Decision-Making
Running between wickets is one of cricket's most fundamental skills and one of the most common sources of run-outs. The calling system (straight, no, wait, yes) and the partnership communication it represents determines how many runs a batting team accumulates from non-boundary hits. Poor running costs teams 20-30 runs per innings at elite levels; excellent running (like Tendulkar-Ganguly or Kohli-Dhawan partnerships) adds the same.
The running system in cricket is based on vocal calls between the two batsmen: 'Yes' = run confirmed (both batsmen sprint); 'No' = do not run (both stay or return); 'Wait' = call again based on fieldsman's position (both prepare but don't commit). The cardinal rule of batting partnerships: the batsman who hits the ball has the best view of where it went (how hard, which fielder, the angle) — they should be the primary caller for the first call. The non-striker (the batsman at the other end) has the better view of the fieldsman and should call for the second (turning) run. Misunderstandings in calling are the primary cause of run-outs at all levels of cricket.
Running Between Wickets Techniques
Specific techniques for efficient running between wickets: ground the bat (slide the bat into the crease rather than stepping in): this avoids the bat 'popping up' (bouncing after the first contact with the ground), which creates a window for the wicketkeeper or fielder to break the stumps before the bat is grounded for a second time. Turn on the correct foot: when completing the first run and turning for a second, the batsman should turn toward the side where the ball is — if the ball is on the off side, turn toward the off side (right for a right-handed batsman), allowing them to face the fielder and assess instantly whether a second run is available. Sprint from the crease: both batsmen should sprint from the moment the call is 'yes' — not watching the ball, not hesitating — because hesitation costs 0.2-0.5 seconds which can be the margin in a close run-out.
Run-Out Prevention
Preventing run-outs: the most common run-out scenarios are: calling for a run when the ball goes directly to a fielder (the striker calls 'yes' before seeing where the ball went — the caller should always watch the ball complete its path to a fielder before committing); hesitating mid-pitch (calling 'yes' then slowing down when uncertain, giving the fielder time to aim at either end); and attempting a third run when the fielder has already collected (misjudging the fielder's speed and accuracy — this is the most common run-out of specialist batsmen). Teams practice specific running drills in fielding sessions: 30-yard shuttle sprints simulate the distance between creases; turning drills simulate the specific movement required at the bowling end.
Backing Up
Backing up is the practice of the non-striker advancing down the pitch before the ball is bowled to gain a head start on runs — the non-striker walks toward the striker's end from the moment the bowler begins their run-up. The legal limit: the non-striker can back up until the moment the bowler releases the ball (if they leave before this point, they risk being Mankaded — run out by the bowler who deflects and breaks the non-striker's end stumps before delivering). In practice, most non-strikers back up to approximately the middle of the pitch by the moment of delivery — adding 2-3 meters to their start position and saving approximately 0.1-0.15 seconds on a tight run. In Test cricket, backing up can contribute to several additional runs per innings through marginal improvements in running speed.
Frequently asked questions
How does calling work in cricket?
In cricket, the calling system between two batting partners uses three core calls: 'Yes' means both batsmen commit to running immediately; 'No' means both batsmen stay or immediately return to their original crease; 'Wait' means both batsmen prepare to run but do not commit until a second call (yes or no) is made. The general rule: the batsman who hit the ball has the best initial view of where it went and makes the first call; the non-striker has the better view of the fielder's position and should guide the decision on second runs. Communication must be loud and clear — many run-outs occur when one batsman hears 'yes' and the other hears 'wait', creating mid-pitch confusion.
What is backing up in cricket?
Backing up in cricket refers to the non-striker (the batsman who did not face the delivery) advancing down the pitch toward the striker's crease before the ball is delivered, to gain a head start if a run is to be taken. The non-striker legally begins backing up from the moment the bowler starts their run-up and can advance until the moment the ball is bowled. If the non-striker leaves the crease before the bowler releases the ball, they risk being Mankaded (run out by the bowler without a delivery being bowled — a legal dismissal under Law 38). Excessive backing up (very early crease-leaving before the bowler's delivery stride) has been a source of controversy in international cricket.
How many run-outs happen in Test cricket?
Run-outs account for approximately 3-5% of all dismissals in Test cricket — roughly 1 run-out per Test match innings (around 2 per Test match). They are significantly more common in ODI cricket (approximately 5-7% of dismissals) because the run-rate pressure of limited-overs cricket leads to more aggressive running decisions. In T20 cricket, run-outs are around 4-6% of dismissals. The relative rarity of run-outs in Tests (compared to lower levels) reflects the higher quality of communication and running techniques at the professional level — experienced Test batsmen rarely attempt runs that are genuinely not there. When run-outs do occur at Test level, they typically result from communication failures or exceptional fielding (a direct-hit run-out from an unexpected angle).