Obstructing the Field in Cricket — Law 37 Explained
What obstructing the field means in cricket, how Law 37 applies to batters and fielders, examples of the dismissal in international cricket, and how it differs from handled the ball.
Obstructing the field is one of cricket's rarest modes of dismissal. Governed by Law 37, it applies when a batter deliberately prevents a fielder from fielding the ball or making a catch. It is the only mode of dismissal in cricket where either batter can be given out — not necessarily the one on strike.
What Constitutes Obstruction
A batter is out obstructing the field if they deliberately obstruct or distract a fielder. Examples include: physically blocking a fielder taking a catch, using the bat or body to stop the ball reaching the wicket when a run out is being attempted, shouting or waving to distract a fielder, or using the bat to deflect the ball away from the wicket. Unintentional movement (e.g. the ball hitting the batter accidentally) does not count as obstruction.
Handled the Ball — Now Part of Law 37
Until 2017, 'handled the ball' was a separate mode of dismissal (Law 33). The MCC merged it into Law 37 (Obstructing the Field) in the 2017 Code. Now, if a batter touches the ball with their hand or glove while the ball is in play, without the fielding team's permission, it is handled the ball — a subcategory of obstructing the field. This is still extremely rare but has occurred several times in Test cricket.
Famous Examples
Len Hutton (England) was the first Test player given out obstructing the field — vs South Africa, 1951. Andrew Strauss (England) was given out handled the ball vs India in 2006, picking up a ball that lobbed towards his stumps. Inzamam-ul-Haq was given out obstructing the field vs India in 2006 — he walked into a fielder attempting a run out. Fakhar Zaman was controversially given out handled the ball in a 2018 Asia Cup ODI against India.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be given out obstructing the field without touching the ball?
Yes — simply standing in a fielder's running line or shouting to distract a fielder constitutes obstruction, even without touching the ball.
Can a fielder obstruct a batter?
Yes — fielders cannot deliberately obstruct batters either. Under Law 37.4, if a fielder deliberately blocks a batter, the umpire awards five penalty runs to the batting side.
Does obstruction require intent?
Yes — the Law requires deliberate obstruction. Accidental obstruction is not a dismissal, though umpires consider the full context.