Run Out in Cricket Explained — Rules, Types & Famous Dismissals
A run out happens when a fielder breaks the wicket while the batsman is short of his crease while running between the wickets. Learn the exact rules, the difference between a run out and a stumping, which batsman is out when both have crossed, and the greatest fielding run outs in history.
A run out is one of the most exciting dismissals in cricket — a direct-hit throw, a scramble back to the crease, a photo-finish at the stumps. It accounts for roughly 5–7% of all wickets across formats and is the primary way exceptional fielders change a match without bowling a single ball. Unlike most dismissals, a run out can happen off any ball, at any time, in any format.
What is a run out?
Law 38 of the Laws of Cricket defines a run out: a batsman is out if, at any time while the ball is in play, they are out of their ground (crease) when the wicket at their end is fairly put down by the fielding side. 'Fairly put down' means the wicket is broken by a fielder using the ball (thrown or held), before the batsman's bat or body has grounded behind the popping crease. The third umpire reviews run outs using frame-by-frame video — the benefit of the doubt always goes to the batsman.
Run out vs stumping — key differences
| Run Out | Stumping | |
|---|---|---|
| Who breaks the wicket | Any fielder — throw or hand | Wicketkeeper only |
| When it can happen | Any time ball is in play | Only off a legitimate delivery |
| Batsman's movement | Attempting a run between wickets | Left the crease to play the ball |
| DRS reviewable? | Yes (third umpire) | Yes (third umpire) |
| Credited to | Fielder who threw / broke wicket | Wicketkeeper |
| Ball from | Any bowler, any ball | Bowled ball only — no run attempted |
Which batsman is out when they have crossed?
If both batsmen have crossed when the wicket is broken, the batsman running towards the broken end is out. If they have not crossed (both still near their original ends), the batsman who left the crease being attacked is out. This can lead to unusual situations: if the striker hits the ball, sets off, and the non-striker also sets off, but the fielder runs out the batting end — the striker is out, not the non-striker.
Types of run out
- Direct hit — a fielder throws the ball directly at the stumps and breaks them without the ball being caught. The most spectacular kind.
- Relay throw — multiple fielders combine to get the ball to the stumps quickly; only the last throw needs to break the wicket.
- Wicketkeeper run out — the keeper collects an overthrow or a wide ball and breaks the stumps while the batsmen are running. Credited as a run out (not stumping) if the batsman was attempting a run.
- Non-striker run out (Mankad) — classified since 2022 under Law 38 (Run Out), not Law 41 (Unfair Play). The bowler removes the bails at the non-striker's end before delivery if the non-striker has backed up too far.
Famous run outs
- Jonty Rhodes vs Pakistan, 1992 World Cup — Rhodes dived full-length to direct-hit Inzamam-ul-Haq and effectively changed the match. Widely considered the run out that redefined fielding standards in cricket.
- Ricky Ponting vs India, 2003 World Cup Final — Ponting hit a typically aggressive shot, called for a run, and was beaten by a direct hit from Mohammad Kaif's mid-on throw.
- AB de Villiers (numerous) — De Villiers held multiple world records in fielding accuracy; his combination of anticipation and throwing arm made him the gold standard for fielding dismissals in the 2010s.
- Ben Stokes vs South Africa, 2019 World Cup — Stokes' dive to hit the stumps with Martin Guptill diving back was a key moment in the famous super over final at Lord's.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a run out in cricket?
A batsman is run out if their wicket is broken by a fielder — using the ball — while the batsman is outside their crease (not grounded behind the popping crease with bat or body) and the ball is in play. It can happen at either end and can involve any fielder, not just the wicketkeeper.
What is the difference between a run out and a stumping?
A stumping is done only by the wicketkeeper off a bowled delivery when the batsman has stepped out of the crease to play the ball and is not attempting a run. A run out can be done by any fielder, at any time the ball is in play, and involves batsmen running between the wickets. Both can be reviewed by the third umpire.
If both batsmen cross during a run out, who is dismissed?
If both batsmen have crossed — both have passed each other in the middle — the batsman running toward the broken wicket is the one who is out. If they have not yet crossed, the batsman who left the crease at the end being attacked is out.
Is a Mankad the same as a run out?
Since the 2022 revision of the Laws of Cricket, a non-striker run out (Mankad) is classified under Law 38 — Run Out — rather than Law 41 Unfair Play. The bowler may remove the bails at the non-striker's end before releasing the ball if the non-striker has backed up beyond the crease before the ball is bowled.