Obstructing the Field in Cricket: The Rarest Dismissal

What Is Obstructing the Field?

Obstructing the field is a dismissal under Law 37 of the Laws of Cricket. A batter is out if they wilfully obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. This includes deliberately blocking a fielder's throw or catching attempt.

When Does It Apply?

• A batter intentionally deflects a fielder's throw with a hand or bat
• A batter deliberately runs in the path of a fielder attempting a catch
• A batter uses words to distract a fielder during a run-out attempt
• The striker uses their body to block a fielded return at the stumps

Handled the Ball Merger

Prior to 2017, 'Handled the ball' was a separate Law. The MCC merged it into Obstructing the field in the 2017 Code revision. Now intentionally touching the ball with a hand not holding the bat also falls under Law 37.

Famous Cases

Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) was dismissed obstructing the field against India in 1997 — one of the most televised instances. Len Hutton was given out handled the ball in 1951, and Michael Vaughan narrowly avoided the same dismissal in a 2001 Test.

Penalty Implications

If obstruction prevents a run-out, the batting side loses the wicket and the runs already completed on that delivery do not count. Five penalty runs may also be awarded to the fielding side at the umpires' discretion.