Hit Wicket in Cricket — Law 35 and the Most Embarrassing Dismissal

Hit wicket is one of cricket's rarest and most mortifying dismissals — the batsman knocks over their own stumps or dislodges a bail with their bat or body while playing a shot or taking their first run. It accounts for less than 0.5% of Test dismissals but generates a disproportionate amount of cricket lore — because there is something uniquely painful about dismissing yourself.

What Counts as Hit Wicket

Under Law 35, a batsman is out hit wicket if, during the delivery of the ball, while playing a stroke at the ball or immediately setting off for a first run, the batsman dislodges a bail from the stumps with their bat, body, clothing, or equipment. The striker must be attempting to play the ball — losing balance and accidentally touching the stumps while not playing a shot is NOT hit wicket.

Key Conditions

• It must occur during the delivery (while the ball is in play, after the bowler has released it)
• The batsman must be playing a shot OR taking their first run
• The wicket must be broken by the batsman themselves — if a fielder causes the stumps to fall, it is not hit wicket
• On a no-ball: hit wicket CAN still be given — unlike most dismissals, hit wicket applies even on a no-ball delivery

Famous Hit Wicket Dismissals

Hit wickets often occur when batters play big drives or pull shots and follow through with the bat onto the stumps, or when they attempt to hook a bouncer and overbalance backward into the stumps. Australian legend Don Bradman was dismissed hit wicket once in his career. In the 1979 World Cup final, West Indies batter Clive Lloyd was dismissed hit wicket. The T20 era's bigger backswings and wider foot placements have slightly increased hit wicket frequency.