Caught Out in Cricket Explained
Caught is the most common mode of dismissal in cricket. This guide covers the laws of caught dismissals, edge catches, outfield catches, and the DRS review process for disputed catches.
What Is Caught Out?
A batter is caught out when the ball hits the bat (or the hand holding the bat) and is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground. It is the most common mode of dismissal in all formats of cricket — accounting for roughly 55-60% of all dismissals in Test cricket. Catches can be taken anywhere in the field: behind the wicket, in the slip cordon, at the boundary, or anywhere else.
Types of Catches
- Caught behind (c†): wicketkeeper catches an edge from the bat
- Caught in the slips: a slip fielder catches an edge at speed
- Caught at short leg: a fielder close on the leg side catches a deflection off bat and pad
- Caught in the outfield: a fielder takes a catch near the boundary from a mistimed shot
- Caught and bowled (c&b): the bowler catches the ball back in their own delivery stride
Requirements for a Legal Catch
For a catch to be legal: the ball must touch the bat or the hand holding the bat; the fielder must take the catch without it touching the ground; the fielder must have complete control of the ball (cannot bobble it and claim the catch); and if the fielder is touching the boundary rope while catching, the catch is not out — it is a boundary.
DRS and Caught Behind
Caught behind dismissals — where the batter and keeper claim an edge but the ball appeared to miss the bat — are the most common DRS challenges. Ultra Edge technology (using audio spikes and video analysis) can detect feather-thin edges too small for the naked eye. Teams use DRS to challenge both when they think they got an edge (appealing batter's survival call) and when they think there was no edge (dismissed batter seeking reprieve).
The Boundary Catch Rule
If a fielder catches the ball while their foot is touching the boundary rope, it is not a caught dismissal — it is four runs to the batting side. If a fielder takes a catch inside the field but momentum carries them into the boundary, they must re-enter the field after releasing the ball outside, then take the catch again to complete the dismissal legally. This has produced some of the most spectacular athletic moments in cricket.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of cricket dismissals are caught out?
In Test cricket, caught dismissals account for approximately 55-60% of all dismissals — making it by far the most common way for a batter to be out.
What happens if a fielder catches the ball on the boundary?
If any part of the fielder's body touches the boundary rope or the ground beyond it while they have possession of the ball, it is not out — the batting team is awarded four runs instead. The fielder must be entirely inside the field of play for the catch to stand.
Can a batter be caught off a no ball?
No. A batter cannot be caught out off a no ball. Catching is one of the modes of dismissal specifically excluded from no ball deliveries.