Running Between the Wickets: Technique, Calling and Run-Out Prevention
Running between the wickets is one of the most skill-intensive and overlooked aspects of batting. This guide explains calling conventions, when to run or send back your partner, and how top batters convert singles into boundaries through smart running.
Running between the wickets — converting bat-on-ball contact into runs by physically running between the creases — is a skill that separates competent batters from exceptional ones. Test data consistently shows that elite batting partnerships convert 15-25% more singles than average partnerships. Poor running causes needless run outs (which waste a wicket for no defensive reason), missed opportunities when fielders are positioned badly, and pressure that compounds into scoring-rate problems.
The Calling Convention
Cricket has a clear calling convention: the batter who hits the ball or has the clearest view of where it went calls 'Yes', 'No' or 'Wait'. The non-striker calls from the striker's end if the ball goes behind the batter's legs (to leg or backward of square). Once a call of 'Yes' is made, both batters commit — a change of mind must be called loudly and immediately ('No! Back!') and the non-striker returns to their crease. Hesitation is the most common cause of partnership-breaking run-outs.
When to Run and When Not To
Key running principles include: always run first ball (setting the pressure early in a partnership); never run to the danger end (the end where the fielder is closer); be wary of straight drives to the bowler; be cautious on drives to mid-off and mid-on where the fielder faces a simple pick-up-and-throw; and run hard (diving if necessary) when a run-out is possible rather than pulling up halfway.
Backing Up
The non-striker should back up — moving toward the batting crease as the bowler delivers — to gain momentum for running. This is standard practice. However, a non-striker backing up too far before the bowler releases can be run out by the bowler hitting the stumps before delivery (the Mankad dismissal), which is legal under Law 41.16. Elite partnerships balance aggressive backing-up with awareness of Mankad risk against bowlers who have shown intent to run out the backing-up batter.
Frequently asked questions
Who calls the run in cricket — the striker or non-striker?
Conventionally, the striker (batter who hits the ball) calls for runs in front of the wicket — straight drives, cover drives, shots to point and mid-off. The non-striker calls for runs behind the wicket on the leg side — anything the striker plays backward of square leg. This split exists because each batter has a clearer sightline to those fielding positions.
What is the correct way to complete a run?
To complete a run safely, a batter must ground their bat (or body) behind the popping crease before the fielding side can break the stumps. The bat counts even if it is not touching the ground — so a batter who slides with bat held low and reaches the crease has completed the run regardless of whether their feet touch the line. Touch judges in televised cricket often use Ultra-Edge and slow-motion replays to determine whether bat grounded before bails fell.