Hit the Ball Twice in Cricket
An explanation of the rare 'Hit the Ball Twice' dismissal — the laws, purpose, and famous instances where it has been given in international cricket.
What Is the Hit the Ball Twice Dismissal?
Under Law 34, a batter is out Hit the Ball Twice if, after being struck by a delivery or hitting the ball, they deliberately strike it a second time. The key word is 'deliberately' — accidentally stopping the ball to prevent it hitting the stumps does not count.
Purpose of the Law
The law exists to prevent batters from gaining an unfair advantage by redirecting the ball for runs after an initial hit, or from deliberately interfering with fielders attempting to field the ball.
When a Second Hit Is Legal
A batter may lawfully hit the ball a second time only to prevent it from hitting the stumps. In that case, the umpire does not give the batter out — but no runs can be scored from the second hit, and any fielder can still attempt a run out.
How Rare Is This Dismissal?
Hit the Ball Twice is extraordinarily rare in international cricket — perhaps the rarest dismissal in the game. It has occurred occasionally in domestic matches, where the law's fine distinctions are tested by split-second decision-making.
Illegal Second Hit
A batter hits a full toss back toward the bowler. Seeing it looping toward the stumps, they swing the bat a second time and smash it to the cover boundary. The umpire calls them out Hit the Ball Twice — and no runs are scored.
Who Can Dismiss a Batter Hit the Ball Twice?
Only the fielding side can appeal — unlike some other modes of dismissal, the umpires do not call this out without an appeal. The fielding captain must decide whether to appeal or allow play to continue.
Frequently asked questions
Can you score runs from a second hit?
No. No runs can be scored from a second hit, whether lawful or not. A lawful second hit (to protect the stumps) simply continues play without runs; an unlawful hit results in dismissal.
Has a batter ever been dismissed Hit the Ball Twice in a Test match?
There is no confirmed case of this dismissal in a Test match on record, making it essentially theoretical at the highest level of the game.