Hit Wicket in Cricket Explained

What Is Hit Wicket in Cricket?

Hit wicket is a dismissal that occurs when a batter, in the act of playing a shot or in the immediate follow-through of setting off for a run, causes their own wicket to fall — knocking the bails off the stumps with their bat, body, or clothing. It is one of the rarest dismissals in professional cricket, occurring perhaps once or twice per international series. The Laws of Cricket specify that hit wicket only applies during the delivery stride — the batter cannot be given out hit wicket between overs or during a break in play.

When Hit Wicket Does Not Apply

The batter is not out hit wicket if the ball hits the stumps directly — that is a bowled dismissal. Nor is the batter out if the wicket is disturbed by the wicketkeeper (who would be penalised for obstruction). The dismissal applies only if the batter disturbs their own stumps. Interestingly, a batter is also not out hit wicket if they cause the wicket to fall while avoiding the ball or a fielder — the Laws protect against dismissal due to defensive evasion. Hit wicket applies only to the act of playing a shot or beginning a run.

Famous Hit Wicket Dismissals

Hit wicket dismissals tend to involve batters playing expansive shots where the back-lift or follow-through is large enough to clip the stumps. Big-hitting T20 batters who play extravagant scoops or ramps are most susceptible. The bat's back-swing clipping the bails on a bouncer or short ball is another common cause — batters evading a rising delivery can lose balance and knock their stumps. The dismissal appears frequently enough in franchise cricket that batters are coached to maintain awareness of their position relative to the stumps when playing aggressive shots.