Stumping in Cricket — Rules, Conditions and Famous Stumpings
What a stumping is in cricket, how it differs from a run out, the crease rule, the wicketkeeper's technique, and the greatest stumpings in international cricket.
A stumping is a mode of dismissal in which the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket with the ball while the batter has left their crease in the act of playing (or attempting to play) the ball. It is governed by Law 39. Stumpings are the wicketkeeper's most unique contribution — no other fielder can claim a stumping.
The Conditions for a Stumping
Under Law 39, a batter is out stumped if: (1) the wicketkeeper receives the ball from the bowler, (2) the batter is out of their crease (not in the act of running — that would be a run out), and (3) the keeper breaks the wicket with the ball. The batter must have been playing or attempting to play the delivery. If a batter walks out of their crease between deliveries, it is not a stumping — the ball must be in play.
Stumping vs Run Out
The key distinction between stumping and run out: in a stumping, the batter is out of their crease while receiving (or attempting to receive) a delivery — not running between wickets. In a run out, the batter is out of their crease while actually running between the wickets or attempting to make their ground after a run. If the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket and the batter is running, it is a run out. If the batter is stationary but outside the crease after playing and missing, it is a stumping.
The Wide Ball Stumping Rule
A stumping can be made off a wide ball — even though the delivery is illegal. This is significant because batters sometimes lunge at a wide delivery and miss, leaving themselves exposed. The wicketkeeper takes the wide and breaks the wicket. This is a legitimate stumping despite the bowler's error. If the batter is stumped off a no-ball, however, the batter is not out — the batter is protected from all dismissals except run out when a no-ball is called.
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be stumped by a fielder (not the wicketkeeper)?
No — only the wicketkeeper can stump a batter. If another fielder breaks the wicket while the batter is out of their crease after playing, it is a run out.
Is a batter out if they are stumped off a no-ball?
No — a batter cannot be stumped off a no-ball. The only dismissal off a no-ball is a run out.
Does the ball have to hit the stumps directly for a stumping?
No — the wicketkeeper can dislodge the bails with the glove holding the ball, the ball itself, or by grounding the ball behind the stumps and breaking the wicket with the glove.