Dead Ball in Cricket — When Play Stops and Why
What makes the ball dead in cricket, which runs and dismissals are cancelled by a dead ball, when the ball becomes live again, and how the dead ball interacts with DRS.
The dead ball is the state in which the ball is out of play — no runs can be scored, no wickets taken, and no penalty runs awarded (with specific exceptions). Law 20 of the Laws of Cricket governs when the ball becomes dead and when it becomes live again. Understanding dead ball is essential for interpreting unusual incidents on the field.
When the Ball Automatically Becomes Dead
The ball becomes dead automatically when: a batter is dismissed (immediately on the mode of dismissal), the ball crosses the boundary (four or six), the ball lodges in a helmet worn by a fielder or batter, a fielder catches the ball and no further play is possible, or either umpire calls 'dead ball'. The ball also becomes dead when it hits an umpire's pad and lodges there.
When an Umpire Calls Dead Ball
An umpire may call and signal dead ball when: a batter at the wicket is not ready for delivery and has not requested time, when something unusual distracts a batter (e.g. a fielder in the batter's line of vision), when a ball is illegally fielded, or when the on-field umpire loses sight of the ball. The umpire's call overrides anything that happens after — if the umpire called dead ball and a catch was taken, the catch is void.
Five-Run Penalty and Dead Ball
One significant exception: five-penalty runs can be awarded even after the ball is dead. If a fielder intentionally distracted a batter (e.g. by moving or calling out), or if the ball struck a fielder's helmet lying on the ground, the five-penalty-run award applies regardless of the ball being dead at the time of the infraction.
Ball in Play vs Ball Dead
The ball becomes live (in play) from the moment the bowler begins their run-up or, if no run-up, from the moment they start to bowl. Between deliveries — after each dead ball state — the ball is not in play. Run outs and stumpings can only happen while the ball is in play; a fielder cannot run out a batter once the umpire has called dead ball, even if the batter is out of their crease.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be given out after the ball is dead?
No — dismissals can only occur while the ball is in play. Once dead ball is called or signalled, no wicket can fall.
What happens if the ball hits the umpire?
If the ball hits an umpire accidentally and then a fielder catches it, it is not out — the catch is void. If the ball deflects off the umpire and goes to the boundary, four runs are awarded.
Can a no-ball be called after dead ball?
No — a no-ball must be called while the ball is in play (ideally as it is bowled). An umpire cannot retroactively call no-ball after dead ball, except in specific DRS review scenarios.