Running Between Wickets: Calling, Communication, and Run-Out Prevention
Poor running between wickets causes as many dismissals as poor shot selection in elite cricket. The calling system (yes, no, wait) and the principles of running — who calls, when to turn, how to back up — determine whether batting partnerships build or collapse. This guide covers running technique and the most famous run-out disasters.
Running between wickets is governed by a calling system: the striker (who faces the ball) calls for straight hits or shots to the off side (hits in front or to the right from a right-hander's perspective); the non-striker (backing up at the far end) calls for shots behind the wicket or to the leg side (balls going behind square on the leg side are visible to the non-striker but not the striker). The calls: 'yes' (come, run), 'no' (stay, don't run), and 'wait' (pause — ball going to a fielder, assess before committing). A run that is started with 'yes' and then called 'no' causes run-outs — changing the call after a batsman has committed is the most common running mistake.
Who Calls and When
The general rule: the person with the best sight of the ball calls. For straight drives hit in front of the wicket, the striker watches the ball leave the bat and can immediately judge whether a run is available — the striker calls. For glances, flicks, and leg-side shots, the ball goes behind the striker's sight line (through square leg, fine leg) — the non-striker, facing the striker end, can see the fielder's position and calls accordingly. Late calls (waiting to see if the fielder intercepts) are better than early calls (committing before knowing the fielder's position) — an early 'yes' that turns into a run-out is worse than a missed run.
Running in Different Conditions
Ground conditions affect running: outfields that are slow (heavy, wet, or long grass) mean the ball dies quickly in the outfield and 1 run opportunities are easier (the ball does not reach the boundary quickly — the fielder must run to it); fast outfields (hard, short grass) mean the ball races away, turning 1s into 2s but also reducing the time available to score the run before the fielder fields and throws. Teams from subcontinental cricket (India, Pakistan) are generally faster between wickets on subcontinental surfaces than English or Australian surfaces — partly cultural (subcontinental cricket values singles more) and partly practical (subcontinental outfields are often slower).
Backup and Ground Making
Back up: the non-striker backs up (walks several steps forward as the bowler delivers) to gain a head start on potential runs. Over-backing up risks dismissal if the bowler runs the non-striker out before releasing the ball (the Mankad dismissal). Ground making: both batsmen must 'make their ground' (get the bat behind the crease before the fielder breaks the stumps). Diving is common in run-out situations — the bat is extended ahead of the body to reach the crease before the throw arrives. A run-out where the batsman does not dive (especially in a close match) is considered poor cricket — the physical risk of diving is minor compared to the cost of a wicket.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'calling' in cricket running between wickets?
Calling in cricket running is the verbal communication system between batting partners that prevents run-outs. The three calls are: 'yes' (run now — the batsman who calls commits both batsmen to running); 'no' (do not run — both stay at their ends); and 'wait' (pause — assess before deciding). The striker calls for shots in front of the wicket (they can see the ball and the fielder's position); the non-striker calls for shots behind the wicket (behind square leg or fine leg — the non-striker faces the striker's end and can see these fielders). Once a 'yes' is called and a batsman commits to running, the call must not be reversed — changing from 'yes' to 'no' after a batsman has left their crease causes run-outs.
What is a run-out in cricket?
A run-out is a dismissal where the fielding team breaks the stumps (by throwing the ball at the stumps or knocking the bails off with the ball in hand) while the batting player is outside their crease (not 'grounded' with their bat behind the popping crease). Both batsmen can be dismissed run-out in the same delivery — the batsman who is out of their crease when the stumps are broken is the one given out. If both batsmen are out of their respective creases (running and crossing), the batsman who is running toward the broken-stump end is given out. Run-outs account for approximately 5-8% of international dismissals.
Who was involved in the most famous run-out in cricket?
The most famous run-out involved Allan Donald and Lance Klusener in the 1999 World Cup Semi-Final (South Africa vs Australia, Edgbaston). South Africa needed 1 run off the last ball to win; Klusener hit hard to mid-on and ran — but Donald dropped his bat and was caught between creases when the throw reached keeper Adam Gilchrist. The match tied. Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate. Donald's run-out eliminated South Africa from a World Cup they were on the verge of winning, making it cricket's most costly running mistake.