Ways to Get Out in Cricket: Every Type of Dismissal

Every way a batter can be dismissed under the Laws of Cricket: bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped, hit wicket, timed out, obstructing the field and hit the ball twice.

The Laws of Cricket list nine ways a batter can be out: bowled, caught, leg before wicket (LBW), run out, stumped, hit wicket, timed out, obstructing the field and hit the ball twice.

The common dismissals

Bowled: the bowler's delivery hits the stumps and a bail is dislodged. Caught: a fielder catches the ball cleanly before it bounces, after it has come off the bat or the batter's glove. Leg before wicket (LBW): the ball would have hit the stumps but strikes the batter's body or pad first, subject to conditions about where it pitched and where it hit the batter.

Run out: a fielder breaks the wicket with the ball while the batter is out of their ground. Stumped: the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket while the batter, having moved out of the crease to play, is out of their ground.

The rarer dismissals

Hit wicket: the batter dislodges their own bail or stumps with the bat or body while playing the ball. Timed out: a new batter takes too long to be ready to face the ball, within the time set by the playing conditions. Obstructing the field: a batter deliberately gets in the way of a fielder, which now includes what was once called handled the ball. Hit the ball twice: a batter hits the ball a second time deliberately, other than to protect their wicket.

A note on running out the non-striker

Since the Laws were updated in 2022, a bowler who removes the bails at the non-striker's end before delivering the ball, with the non-striker out of their ground, is credited with a run out. It was previously listed under unfair play.

Dismissals that are not on the list

Retired out is recorded when a batter leaves the field without permission and does not return, and is treated differently from the nine dismissals. A batter who retires hurt is not out and may resume later.

Frequently asked questions

How many ways can you get out in cricket?

The Laws of Cricket list nine: bowled, caught, LBW, run out, stumped, hit wicket, timed out, obstructing the field and hit the ball twice.

What is LBW in cricket?

Leg before wicket. A batter can be out if the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps but hits their pad or body first, provided it did not pitch outside leg stump and, in most cases, hit the batter in line with the stumps.

Can you be out off a no-ball?

Only by being run out, hitting the ball twice or obstructing the field. Bowled, caught, LBW and stumped do not apply on a no-ball.