Cricket Boundary Rules Explained — Fours, Sixes and Overthrow Boundaries
A complete guide to cricket boundary rules: what makes a four vs a six, how overthrows lead to boundaries, when a boundary counts despite no fielder touching the rope, and the rarest boundary scenarios.
A boundary in cricket means the ball has reached or crossed the boundary rope — the line that marks the edge of the playing field. Boundaries are scored as either four runs (the ball reaches the boundary after touching the ground inside the field) or six runs (the ball crosses the boundary having been hit through the air without touching the ground inside). Boundaries are the primary source of runs in limited-overs cricket.
Four Runs
A four is scored when the ball rolls, bounces, or slides along the ground to the boundary rope. The ball must touch the ground at some point inside the field before reaching the rope. If a fielder deflects the ball and it subsequently rolls to the boundary, it is still four runs. If the ball hits a fielder on the boundary who is standing outside the rope (or touching the rope), it is also a boundary.
Six Runs
A six is scored when the batter hits the ball on the full (without bouncing inside the field) and it crosses the boundary rope. The ball must clear the rope on the full — if it bounces even once inside the field before crossing the rope, it is four, not six. Six runs are the maximum from any single delivery (except for no-ball with a six, which adds the no-ball run to the 6 for a total of 7).
Overthrow Boundaries
If a fielder throws the ball attempting a run-out and the ball deflects off a batter or bat and runs to the boundary, the batting team receives four runs (overthrow boundary) in addition to any runs already completed before the throw. The 2019 World Cup final controversy involving Ben Stokes and an overthrow boundary that deflected off his outstretched bat was one of the most dramatic and debated overthrow boundary incidents in cricket history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a four and a six in cricket?
A four is scored when the ball reaches the boundary rope having touched the ground at some point inside the field. A six is scored when the ball is hit over the boundary rope through the air, without bouncing inside the field. Six runs are always from an aerial shot; four runs can be either ground or aerial (if the ball bounces once before reaching the rope).
Can you score more than 6 from a single delivery?
Yes — in theory. An overthrow boundary can add 4 runs to runs already completed between the wickets. On a no-ball with 6 runs scored, the total can be 7 (1 no-ball extra + 6). Very rarely, batters have scored up to 7 or 8 runs from a single delivery through a combination of runs, no-ball, and overthrow boundaries.
What happens if the ball hits the boundary rope but doesn't cross it?
If the ball hits the boundary rope but does not cross it (for example, a fielder dives and kicks the ball against the rope from inside), it is judged a four — contact with the rope constitutes reaching the boundary. The ball does not need to cross to the other side; any contact with the rope is sufficient.