Retiring Hurt in Cricket: Rules and Return Conditions
A batter who is injured or becomes unwell during an innings may retire hurt — understanding the rule clarifies when they can return and how it affects the innings.
Retiring hurt is a provision in the Laws of Cricket that allows a batter to leave the field during their innings due to injury or illness. Unlike a dismissal, retiring hurt is not recorded as a wicket — the batter's innings is temporarily suspended and they may return under certain conditions.
When a Batter May Retire Hurt
Under Law 25 of the Laws of Cricket, a batter may retire at any time — with the umpire's knowledge — if they are injured, become ill, or have any other serious reason. Retiring hurt does not require the opposing captain's consent. The batter's innings is considered 'not out' and suspended at the point of retirement.
Returning After Retiring Hurt
A batter who has retired hurt may resume their innings after a wicket falls, but only with the permission of the opposing captain. If the captain does not consent or the innings ends before they can return, the batter remains on the scorecard as 'retired hurt' — which is not counted as a wicket and does not affect the batting side's total wickets lost.
Impact on Team Innings
When a batter retires hurt, the next batter in the order comes to the crease immediately. This effectively gives the batting side an extra batter in reserve — the retired-hurt batter can resume lower in the order once others are dismissed, extending the innings. This is especially valuable in Test cricket when a top-order batter is struck a blow but can recover with rest.
Frequently asked questions
Does retiring hurt count as a wicket?
No. Retiring hurt is not a dismissal and does not count as one of the ten wickets. It appears separately on the scorecard.
Can a batter return after retiring hurt without permission?
No. To resume an innings after retiring hurt, the batter needs the opposing captain's consent once a wicket has fallen.