Penalty Runs in Cricket Explained — When 5 Runs Are Awarded
Penalty runs award 5 runs to one team without a ball being bowled. Learn the situations that trigger a 5-run penalty in cricket — from fielders' helmets stopping the ball to deliberate time-wasting.
Penalty runs are 5 extra runs awarded to one side as a punishment for rule violations — most commonly by the fielding side. Unlike other extras, penalty runs are not recorded against the bowler; they go to the batting side's total and are signalled by the umpire tapping their own shoulder five times.
When are 5 penalty runs awarded to the batting side?
- A fielder's helmet (or cap/sweater) placed on the ground by the fielding side stops the ball — 5 runs are awarded. This is why fielders hand their helmets to umpires rather than leaving them on the field.
- A fielder deliberately distracted or impeded a batter — e.g. yelling or moving in a deliberate attempt to disturb their shot.
- A fielder deliberately threw the ball at the batter's body.
- The fielding side deliberately wasted time or tampered with the ball.
- A member of the fielding team deliberately damaged or trespassed on the pitch.
When are 5 penalty runs awarded to the fielding side?
- A batter deliberately deflected the ball with their bat after it had passed the stumps to reach the boundary for extra runs — but only if the deflection was intentional.
- A non-striker deliberately leaves their crease before the bowler bowls (Mankad is not a penalty — it's a run out). However, the batter using the bat to deflect the ball towards the boundary intentionally is penalised.
- A batter deliberately damaged the pitch.
- A member of the batting side interfered with the ball (handling, deliberate obstruction).
Are penalty runs included in a batter's score?
No. Penalty runs are not credited to any individual batter's score. They are added to the team's total as 'extras' — specifically as 'penalty'. The bowler's figures are also unaffected.
Penalty runs and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method
Penalty runs are added to the batting team's total immediately and affect DLS calculations if a rain stoppage occurs after they are awarded. However, the ICC Playing Conditions contain specific provisions about when penalty runs factor into DLS targets.
Frequently asked questions
What are penalty runs in cricket?
Penalty runs are 5 extra runs awarded to one team as a punishment for a rule violation by the other side. The most common example is when a fielder's helmet (placed on the outfield) stops the ball — 5 runs go immediately to the batting side.
How does the umpire signal penalty runs?
The umpire taps their own shoulder five times — the signal for 5 penalty runs. This is distinct from other extras signals (e.g. extending an arm for a wide, or raising the index finger for a no-ball).
Why do fielders give their helmets to umpires instead of placing them on the ground?
Because a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding side that stops the ball costs 5 penalty runs. Handing the helmet to the umpire removes this risk entirely.
Do penalty runs count in a batter's individual score?
No. Penalty runs are awarded to the team's total as 'extras' and are not credited to any individual batter's score. The bowler's figures are also unaffected.