Boundaries in Cricket: How Fours and Sixes Are Scored
A four and a six are cricket's most spectacular scoring events — four runs for reaching the boundary on the ground, six runs for clearing it without bouncing. This guide explains the boundary rules in full, what determines the result when the ball hits the rope, and the special cases that create controversy.
A boundary in cricket occurs when a struck ball reaches or crosses the boundary rope that marks the edge of the playing field. There are two types: a four (the ball reaches the boundary by rolling or bouncing along the ground, without being caught by a fielder), and a six (the ball crosses the boundary in the air, without bouncing inside the field). Four runs are awarded for a four; six runs for a six. The ball is dead once a boundary is scored — no additional runs are counted from the delivery.
What Determines Boundary vs Not
The boundary rope is the determining line. If a fielder catches the ball inside the field before it reaches the rope — even with their feet touching the rope — it is not a boundary. If the ball reaches the rope in the air and bounces over it without being caught, it is a four (not a six), because it touched the ground inside the boundary. A six requires the ball to cross the boundary in the air — completely clearing the rope without any contact with the ground inside the boundary.
Fielder Touching Boundary Rules
A fielder who is grounded on or beyond the boundary cannot then take a catch — if they save the ball while grounded on the rope, it counts as a boundary (four runs). However, a fielder who jumps from inside the field, catches the ball in the air, throws it back into the field, and then lands outside the boundary has legally taken the catch — a spectacular field technique used in T20 cricket. This 'jump and return' technique requires the fielder to have both feet off the ground when catching and to release the ball before touching the boundary.
Boundary Measurements and Ground Variations
Cricket grounds vary significantly in boundary size — from 55 metres (smaller county grounds) to 80+ metres (SCG, MCG, Headingley). The ICC sets minimum boundary sizes for international matches (59.43m in any direction). Smaller boundaries produce more sixes and fours, affecting match scores significantly. IPL teams select grounds and pitch positions to create specific boundary sizes that favour their team composition — a team with powerful hitters may prefer shorter square boundaries.
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 (the rope marking the edge of the field) by rolling or bouncing along the ground without being caught. A six is scored when the ball crosses the boundary in the air without bouncing inside the field. Fours score 4 runs; sixes score 6 runs.
Can a fielder save a boundary by catching the ball on the rope?
No — if a fielder is grounded on or beyond the boundary rope when they touch the ball, it is automatically a boundary. To save a boundary, a fielder must be entirely within the field. Fielders can legally jump from inside, catch the ball in the air, and release it back before landing outside — this 'jump-and-return' technique is a legal and spectacular method used in T20 cricket.
How big does a cricket boundary need to be?
The ICC requires international cricket grounds to have a minimum boundary of 59.43 metres in any direction from the centre of the pitch. However, boundaries can vary significantly — some IPL grounds have shorter boundaries (55m) while Test venues like the MCG and SCG have boundaries of 75-80+ metres. Smaller boundaries produce more sixes and fours.