What Is a Wicket in Cricket? — All 10 Dismissal Types Explained
A wicket is how a batsman gets out. Cricket has 10 modes of dismissal: bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped, hit wicket, handled the ball, obstructing the field, timed out, and hit the ball twice. Here's how each one works.
In cricket, a 'wicket' has two meanings. The most common meaning is a dismissal — when a batsman gets out. The second meaning refers to the physical set of three stumps and two bails at either end of the pitch. A team takes 10 wickets (dismissals) to bowl out the opposition — the 11th batter has no partner left and the innings ends.
The 10 modes of dismissal in cricket
| Dismissal | How it happens | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bowled | Ball hits the stumps and dislodges a bail | Common |
| Caught | Fielder catches the ball before it bounces | Most common |
| LBW | Ball would have hit stumps, hits leg instead (w/conditions) | Common |
| Run Out | Batter out of crease when stumps are broken mid-run | Common |
| Stumped | Keeper breaks stumps with batter out of crease (not running) | Common |
| Hit Wicket | Batter dislodges their own stumps with bat or body | Rare |
| Obstructing the Field | Batter deliberately blocks a fielder | Very rare |
| Hit the Ball Twice | Batter hits delivery twice (except to guard stumps) | Extremely rare |
| Handled the Ball | Batter touches ball with hand not holding bat | Extremely rare |
| Timed Out | Next batter takes more than 3 minutes to reach crease | Extremely rare |
Bowled
The most straightforward dismissal: the ball beats the bat and hits the stumps, dislodging at least one bail. Even if the ball deflects off the batter's pad, glove, or body before hitting the stumps, it is still 'bowled'. In Tests, being bowled is credited to the bowler as a wicket.
Caught
A batter is caught when a fielder (including the wicketkeeper) catches the ball cleanly before it touches the ground after the ball has been hit or touched by the bat or glove. The fielder must remain in control of the ball throughout and must not step over the boundary rope while catching. Caught is the most common form of dismissal in professional cricket.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
LBW is cricket's most debated dismissal. If the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps but is intercepted by the batter's body (most commonly the leg pads) without first hitting the bat, the umpire can give it out LBW. Multiple conditions must be met — the ball must pitch in line (or outside off stump if hitting the off stump), not pitch outside leg, and the point of impact must be in line with the stumps.
Run Out
A batter is run out when, while attempting a run, a fielder breaks the stumps at the end the batter is running to — and the batter has not grounded bat or body behind the crease. Video replays (the third umpire) are used for close calls at international level. A run out is not credited to the bowler — it goes to whichever fielder(s) broke the stumps.
Stumped
Stumping is a wicketkeeper-only dismissal. If a batter advances down the pitch to play a shot and misses, leaving the crease, the keeper can break the stumps before the batter grounds bat or foot behind the crease. Stumping is most common against spin bowling. Unlike a run out, the batter must not be attempting a run — otherwise it is a run out, not a stumped.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to get out in cricket?
Caught is the most common dismissal in professional cricket, accounting for roughly 55–60% of all Test wickets. Bowled is second (around 20%), followed by LBW (around 18%). Stumped, run out and hit wicket make up most of the remainder.
How many ways can a batter be out in cricket?
There are 10 official modes of dismissal: bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped, hit wicket, obstructing the field, hit the ball twice, handled the ball, and timed out. Most batters will only ever be dismissed by the first five in practice.
Can you be out for 0 in cricket?
Yes. A batter dismissed without scoring any runs is out for a duck. If they are out on the very first ball they face, it is called a golden duck. Being dismissed for 0 is not uncommon even at international level — tailenders (lower-order batters) frequently score ducks.
What is 'hitting your wicket'?
Hit wicket occurs when a batter dislodges their own stumps with their bat or any part of their body while playing a shot or setting off for a run on the first run. It is one of cricket's rarest dismissals at international level.