Handled Ball Dismissal in Cricket Explained
What the handled ball dismissal was, how it was absorbed into obstructing the field, and famous examples.
What Was Handled Ball?
Handled Ball was one of the ten original modes of dismissal in cricket. A batter could be given out 'handled ball' if they deliberately touched the ball with their hand(s) without the fielding side's permission. The dismissal was designed to prevent batters from using their hands to deflect or stop a ball that was about to hit the stumps or that had already passed the bat.
Why It Was Removed
In 2017, the MCC revised the Laws of Cricket and merged 'handled ball' into the broader category of 'obstructing the field.' The rationale was that touching the ball with the hand without permission was simply a specific form of obstructing the field — there was no need for a separate dismissal category. The mode of dismissal was streamlined, and any incident that would previously have been given as 'handled ball' is now recorded as 'obstructing the field.'
Famous Handled Ball Dismissals
Michael Vaughan was given out handled ball in a first-class match in 1993. In international cricket, Mohinder Amarnath was given out handled ball against Australia in 1978. Graham Gooch was out handled ball against Australia in 1993 when he picked up the ball with his hand to prevent it from rolling onto his stumps — the most famous example in Test history. The dismissal was awarded 7 times in all Test cricket across its history.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter touch the ball if the fielding side gives permission?
Yes. A batter is not out handled ball (now obstructing the field) if the fielding side explicitly permits them to handle the ball — for example, to hand it back to the fielder.
Is the run awarded if the batter handles the ball?
No. If a batter is out for handling the ball/obstructing, any runs scored on that delivery are generally not counted (depending on when the obstruction occurred).
How many handled ball dismissals occurred in Test cricket history?
Seven in all Test cricket history. It is among the rarest dismissals alongside timed out and obstructing the field.