All 10 Ways to Be Dismissed in Cricket
A complete guide to all ten modes of dismissal in cricket — bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped and more — with examples and how each is recorded.
Cricket has ten official modes of dismissal, though only five account for the vast majority of wickets in professional cricket. Each dismissal type is defined in the Laws of Cricket (maintained by the MCC) and is recorded differently in scorecards. Understanding each type reveals not just the law but the tactical cat-and-mouse between batters and fielding teams.
The Ten Modes of Dismissal
| Dismissal | Law | Credited To | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caught | Law 33 | Bowler + fielder | ~45% of all wickets |
| Bowled | Law 32 | Bowler | ~20% of all wickets |
| LBW | Law 36 | Bowler | ~20% of all wickets |
| Run Out | Law 38 | Fielder (no bowler credit) | ~5% of all wickets |
| Stumped | Law 39 | Bowler + wicketkeeper | ~5% of all wickets |
| Hit Wicket | Law 35 | Bowler | Rare (<1%) |
| Handled the Ball | Law 33 (absorbed 2017) | No bowler credit | Extremely rare |
| Obstructing the Field | Law 37 | No bowler credit | Extremely rare |
| Hit the Ball Twice | Law 34 | No bowler credit | Extremely rare |
| Timed Out | Law 40 | No bowler credit | Extremely rare |
The Five Common Dismissals Explained
1. Caught
The most common dismissal: the batter hits or edges the ball and a fielder (including the wicketkeeper) catches it before it touches the ground. 'Caught behind' means the wicketkeeper took the catch. 'Caught and bowled' means the bowler held their own catch. The ball must not touch the ground, the rope, or the boundary before the catch is completed.
2. Bowled
The ball hits the stumps and dislodges at least one bail. The ball can reach the stumps directly, off the inside edge of the bat, or even off the batter's body — as long as it ends up hitting the stumps. A 'bowled through the gate' means the ball passed between bat and pad.
3. LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
The ball strikes the batter's body (not the bat) and would have gone on to hit the stumps. LBW has strict criteria: the ball must pitch in line or outside off stump; the impact must be in line with the stumps; and the ball must be going on to hit the stumps. Batters cannot be out LBW to balls pitching outside leg stump.
4. Run Out
A fielder breaks the stumps while the batter is out of their crease attempting a run. Unlike stumpings, run-outs can happen at either end and off any delivery (including no-balls). The batting team loses the wicket and the batter is 'retired out' — the bowler gets no credit. Spectacular direct-hit run-outs from the deep are among cricket's most exciting moments.
5. Stumped
The wicketkeeper collects the ball and breaks the stumps while the batter has left their crease attempting to play a shot. Only the wicketkeeper can complete a stumping. It is most common off spin bowling where the batter steps forward and misses. Unlike a run-out, no run needs to be attempted — the batter is simply out of their ground.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'Handled the Ball' after the 2017 rule change?
In 2017, the MCC absorbed 'Handled the Ball' into 'Obstructing the Field' (Law 37). Previously it was a separate law (Law 33). The effect is the same — a batter cannot deliberately use their hand to stop the ball from hitting their stumps — but it is now classified under the broader obstructing law. The scorecards still sometimes show 'handled the ball' for historical records.
What is 'Timed Out' in cricket?
Timed Out (Law 40) applies when the incoming batter fails to be ready to face a delivery within three minutes of the previous wicket falling. It was famously used for the first time in international cricket in a 2023 ODI World Cup match when Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was given out timed out after his helmet chin strap broke and he could not replace it in time. It is the rarest dismissal in cricket.