Retired Out and Retired Hurt in Cricket: What Is the Difference?
A batter can leave the field voluntarily in cricket — but only 'retired hurt' allows them to return. Discover what each status means and how they affect the scorecard.
What Is Retired Hurt?
Retired hurt (or retired ill) occurs when a batter leaves the field during their innings due to injury, illness, or another adverse medical condition. They have the right to resume their innings later — when they are recovered enough to bat — as long as the innings is still in progress. If they cannot return, their score stands as not out in the records.
What Is Retired Out?
Retired out occurs when a batter voluntarily leaves the crease during their innings for any reason other than injury or illness — and the fielding side does not consent to them resuming. If the batting captain retires a batter (for tactical reasons, such as trying to keep a set batter for later), the fielding captain can refuse consent for that batter to return. The batter is then recorded as 'retired out' — a dismissal.
Key Differences
| Status | Reason | Can Return? | Counts as Dismissal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired Hurt | Injury or illness | Yes, with permission | No — not out |
| Retired Out | Voluntary or tactical | Only with fielding captain's consent | Yes, if not permitted to return |
Impact on the Batting Average
If a batter retires hurt and cannot return, their innings is recorded as not out. This means their score from that innings is included in the batting average numerator (runs) but not the denominator (dismissals) — it can inflate the average slightly in the same way a typical not-out innings does.
Famous Retired Hurt Incidents
Retired hurt is common at all levels of cricket. Fast bowlers regularly send batters off for treatment, and players who are hit on the hand or forearm often need extended off-field treatment before returning. In severe cases — such as a head injury — the concussion substitute protocol may be invoked instead.
Tactical Use of Retired Out
In rare cases, batting captains in domestic T20 cricket have used retired out tactically — to promote a big-hitter or bring a specialist finisher in at a critical moment while resting a settled batter. The settled batter can return if the innings is still live and the fielding captain agrees. This tactic is legal but controversial in terms of spirit.
Frequently asked questions
Is retired hurt shown on the scorecard?
Yes. The scorecard shows 'retired hurt' next to the batter's score. It is visually different from both a not-out and a dismissal. The batter's runs count fully; only dismissals are excluded from the column.
Can a batter retire more than once in the same innings?
Technically yes, though this is extremely unusual. Each retirement requires separate consideration and the fielding captain's consent applies to each return.
What happens if the innings ends while a batter is retired hurt?
The batter is recorded as retired not out — their score stands, their wicket is not counted, and the innings is over. They cannot return to bat in that innings.