Caught Dismissals in Cricket: Behind, Slip, Gully and More
Being caught is the most common wicket in cricket. Learn the different types of caught dismissals — behind, slip, gully, outfield — and the rules around fair catches.
Being caught is the most common form of dismissal in cricket — around 40-45% of all Test wickets fall to a catch. A batter is out caught when a fielder (including the wicketkeeper or bowler) catches the ball directly off the bat before it touches the ground.
Types of caught dismissal
| Type | Where caught | Bowler type |
|---|---|---|
| Caught behind | Wicketkeeper catches the edge | Any bowler |
| Caught at slip | 1st, 2nd, 3rd slip catches the edge | Fast bowling primarily |
| Caught at gully | Gully fielder catches the cut or square drive | Fast/medium pace |
| Caught in the outfield | Fielder catches a lofted shot near or on the boundary | Any bowler |
| Caught and bowled (C&B) | Bowler catches their own delivery returned straight | Any bowler |
| Caught at cover/mid-on | Drive caught by fielder in the ring | Any bowler |
Rules for a fair catch
- The ball must be caught before it touches the ground.
- The fielder must be inside the boundary when completing the catch.
- The ball must have come off the bat (or glove — which counts as part of the bat for dismissal purposes).
- If a fielder reaches over the boundary to catch the ball, it is a six — not a wicket.
- A catch off a no-ball does not count — the batter cannot be caught off a no-ball.
Boundary catches
A fielder can complete a catch near the boundary by throwing the ball up before stepping on or over the rope, retreating back into the field of play, and catching it again — as long as both feet land in the field when completing the catch. This has led to some spectacular and controversial boundary catches in T20 cricket.
The glove rule
If a ball hits the batter's glove while the glove is holding the bat, the catch is valid — the glove is considered part of the bat. If the ball hits a batting glove that is not on the hand holding the bat, it is NOT out caught.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common wicket in cricket?
Being caught is the most common dismissal, accounting for approximately 40-45% of all wickets in Test cricket.
Can a batter be caught off a no-ball?
No. A batter cannot be caught off a no-ball. The no-ball nullifies the dismissal, though the batter still faces a free-hit on the next delivery in limited-overs cricket.
What is 'caught and bowled' in cricket?
Caught and bowled (C&B) means the bowler caught their own delivery returned straight off the bat. It is a wicket for the bowler and counted in their dismissal column.