Cricket Dismissals Explained: All 10 Ways a Batsman Can Be Out
Learn all 10 ways a batsman can be dismissed in cricket — bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped, hit wicket, and the rarer dismissals — with examples of each.
Cricket has 10 recognised ways a batsman can be dismissed — more than any other major sport. Five are common; the other five are rare enough that some appear only a handful of times per decade in international cricket. Knowing all 10 dismissals is part of cricket's rich ruleset that sets it apart.
The Five Common Dismissals
1. Bowled
The simplest dismissal: the ball hits the stumps directly and dislodges a bail. The ball can reach the stumps via the bat, body, or any deflection — as long as it hits the stumps first. Bowled accounts for approximately 20% of Test dismissals.
2. Caught
A fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground after it has come off the batsman's bat (or glove, which is considered part of the bat). The fielder must maintain control of the ball and not step over the boundary line during the catch. Caught is the most common dismissal in all formats, accounting for 40%+ of Test dismissals.
3. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
When the ball hits the batsman's body (not bat) and would have gone on to hit the stumps. LBW has five conditions, including that the ball must not pitch outside leg stump. Accounts for approximately 20% of Test dismissals.
4. Run Out
A batsman is run out when, while running between the wickets or attempting a run, the fielding team breaks the stumps at the end toward which the batsman is running before the batsman grounds their bat behind the crease. Run outs can also occur if a non-facing batsman wanders from their crease and is dismissed without a run being attempted.
5. Stumped
A batsman is stumped when they leave their crease to play a delivery (typically a spin bowler), miss the ball, and the wicketkeeper collects the ball and breaks the stumps before the batsman returns their foot to the crease. Stumping is only possible off a delivery that is not a no-ball.
The Five Rare Dismissals
| Dismissal | Description | How Rare? |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Wicket | Batsman dislodges the bails with their bat or body while playing a shot or setting off for a run | A few per year at international level |
| Handled the Ball | Batsman deliberately handles the ball with the hand not touching the bat without the fielding team's consent. Now merged into 'Obstructing the Field' under 2017 law changes | Extremely rare — fewer than 10 in Test history |
| Obstructing the Field | Batsman deliberately obstructs a fielder trying to field the ball or make a dismissal | A handful in all international cricket |
| Hit the Ball Twice | Batsman deliberately hits the ball twice (beyond protecting their wicket) on the same delivery | Near-unknown in modern cricket |
| Timed Out | New batsman fails to arrive at the crease within 3 minutes of the previous wicket falling | First international timed-out: Angelo Mathews vs Bangladesh, 2023 ODI World Cup |
Controversial Dismissals in Cricket History
- The 2023 ODI World Cup saw Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka dismissed timed out vs Bangladesh — the first in international cricket. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan appealed after Mathews' helmet strap broke on arrival
- Kevin Pietersen was memorably stumped attempting a massive switch hit off Muttiah Muralitharan — one of the most dramatic stumpings in Test history
- Ricky Ponting's hit wicket dismissal in a famous innings showed how even the slightest contact with the stumps ends the innings
- Gary Kirsten was given out obstructing the field when he blocked a throw to prevent a run-out — a reminder that even accidental obstruction can result in dismissal
Dismissals That Cannot Happen Off a No-Ball
- Bowled — no
- Caught — no
- LBW — no
- Hit Wicket — no
- Stumped — no
- Run Out — YES (possible off a no-ball)
- Obstructing the Field — YES
- Hit the Ball Twice — YES
- Timed Out — YES (independent of delivery)
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common dismissal in cricket?
Caught is the most common dismissal across all formats of international cricket, typically accounting for 40–50% of all wickets. LBW and bowled are second and third, respectively. Run out is fourth, and stumped is fifth.
Has a batsman ever been dismissed 'Timed Out' in international cricket?
Yes — for the first time in international cricket, Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka was given out Timed Out during the 2023 ODI World Cup against Bangladesh. Mathews' helmet strap broke as he arrived at the crease, and Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan made the appeal. The umpire upheld it.
What is 'handled the ball' in cricket?
Under 2017 law changes, 'handled the ball' was merged into 'obstructing the field.' Previously, a batsman who deliberately touched the ball with their hand (not holding the bat) without consent could be given out handled the ball. Now any deliberate obstruction — including touching the ball — is covered by 'obstructing the field.'
Can a batsman be out hit wicket on a no-ball?
No. Hit wicket cannot occur off a no-ball. The batsman is protected from hit wicket, bowled, caught, stumped, and LBW dismissals off no-balls. Only run-out, obstructing the field, hit the ball twice, and timed out can apply to a no-ball delivery.