Obstructing the Field in Cricket — Law 37 Explained & Famous Cases
Obstructing the field is a dismissal under Law 37 where a batsman wilfully prevents a fielder from fielding the ball. One of cricket's rarest dismissals — learn the rules and most famous cases.
**Obstructing the field** is a dismissal under **Law 37** of the MCC Laws of Cricket. A batsman is out if they wilfully obstruct or distract a fielder who is attempting to field the ball or complete a run-out. It is one of the rarest dismissals in professional cricket, occurring just a handful of times per decade at the international level.
What Counts as Obstruction?
- **Physically blocking:** Standing in the path of a fielder attempting to collect the ball or throw it to the stumps.
- **Verbal distraction:** Shouting or making noise deliberately to distract a fielder in the act of catching or throwing. (Rare but has been cited.)
- **Hitting the ball twice:** Since 2017, the MCC merged the old 'handled the ball' Law into obstructing the field — so a batsman deliberately handling the ball to prevent a dismissal is now an obstructing the field dismissal.
- **Stopping a throw:** Deliberately using the body or bat to deflect a throw at the stumps counts as obstruction.
Key Condition: Wilful Intent
The Law requires **wilful** obstruction. Accidental contact — for example, a fielder running into a batsman who is completing a run — is NOT obstruction. The umpire must be satisfied that the batsman's action was deliberate. This is why obstructing the field is so rarely given: proving intent is difficult and umpires are reluctant to dismiss a batsman on ambiguous evidence.
Famous Obstruction Cases
- **Ben Stokes (England vs South Africa, 2017 ODI):** Stokes deliberately knocked the ball away with his hand while batting to prevent a run-out — given out obstructing the field. England appealed to the ICC but the decision stood.
- **Len Hutton (England vs South Africa, 1951):** The second-ever Test case of obstructing the field — Hutton accidentally moved into a South African fielder's path while batting.
- **Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire vs Somerset, 2003 County Championship):** Vaughan was dismissed obstructing the field in a county match — a genuine rarity.
Handled the Ball — Merged in 2017
Before 2017, there was a separate Law called **Handled the Ball** — where a batsman deliberately touched the ball with their hand without the fielding side's permission. Famous cases include Graham Gooch (England) handling a ball that was rolling toward his stumps. In the 2017 MCC Laws revision, this was folded into Obstructing the Field to simplify the Laws.
Frequently asked questions
Is obstructing the field given on appeal or by the umpire alone?
It must be given on appeal. The fielding side must appeal, and both umpires must agree (or refer to the Third Umpire). The umpire cannot dismiss a batsman for obstruction without an appeal.
Can a batsman defend themselves from an accidental obstruction claim?
Yes. If a batsman can demonstrate (or the umpire assesses) that the contact was accidental rather than wilful, not-out is the correct decision. The 'wilful' standard protects batsmen from being dismissed in genuine accidents.
Does the bowler get credit for an obstructing the field wicket?
No. Obstructing the field does not count in the bowler's wicket tally. It is a 'fielder's wicket' and appears as 'Obst fielder' in the scorecard.