Obstructing the Field in Cricket: Law 37 Explained
Obstructing the field is a rare but significant dismissal in cricket. This guide explains what constitutes obstruction, famous examples, and how the Law interacts with the retired hurt rule.
Obstructing the field — Law 37 — is one of cricket's rarest dismissals, but it is genuine and has occurred at Test and international level. Under Law 37, a batter is out if they wilfully obstruct or distract the fielding side through word or action. The key word is 'wilfully' — accidental obstruction that is unavoidable (a ball ricocheting off the batter's body) is not obstructing the field.
The Two Forms of Obstruction
Obstruction takes two main forms: physical obstruction (using the body or bat to prevent a fielder from catching a ball or reaching the wicket) and handled ball (deliberately touching the ball without the fielder's consent, now merged into Law 37 since 2017). The handled ball clause covers a batter who bats away a ball heading for their stumps without the fielder's permission — this is the most commonly encountered form of obstruction at all levels.
Famous Obstruction Incidents
Michael Vaughan of England was given out obstructing the field in the 2001-02 tour of India, having deflected a throw away from the stumps with his hand. Len Hutton was given out handled ball against South Africa in 1951 — the most prominent Test dismissal of this kind. The law is rarely invoked because deliberate obstruction is rare in professional cricket; most incidents are accidental.
Intent and the Law's Application
The umpire must judge whether the obstruction was wilful — intentional — before giving a batter out. A batter who flinches and accidentally deflects a throw is not obstructing. A batter who deliberately uses their bat to knock the ball away from the fielder is obstructing. In borderline cases, umpires err on the side of Not Out, as with all difficult decisions. The fielding side must appeal for obstruction; the umpire cannot give out on their own initiative except in the most egregious cases.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be out obstructing the field in a T20 match?
Yes. All forms of dismissal under the Laws of Cricket apply in all formats. Obstruction is as valid in T20 as it is in Test cricket. The rare nature of the dismissal is due to its rarity in actual play, not any format-specific exclusion.
What is the double hit dismissal in cricket?
A double hit (Law 34) occurs when a batter intentionally hits the ball a second time other than to defend their wicket. If the batter hits the ball twice — once on the stroke and once deliberately to score runs — they are out. Accidentally hitting the ball a second time is not a dismissal. Like obstruction, it is extremely rare in professional cricket.