Ways to Get Out in Cricket: 5 Rare Dismissals [MCC Rules]

Unusual Ways to Get Out in Cricket Explained

While most fans are familiar with clean bowleds and spectacular catches, there are several bizarre ways to get out in cricket that rarely occur on the pitch. Governed by the prestigious MCC Laws of Cricket, these rules ensure every edge-case scenario is covered.

Understanding these nuanced dismissal methods helps fans appreciate the deep strategic complexity of the sport. While these rules might seem like a nightmare for the batting side, they provide the fielding team with unique, legal opportunities to claim a crucial wicket.

Here are 5 of the most unconventional ways a batsman can be sent back to the pavilion.

1. Hit Wicket (Law 35)

A hit wicket occurs when a batsman accidentally dislodges the bails from the stumps while preparing to receive a delivery or starting their first run. This can happen if their bat, clothing, or equipment physical touches the stumps.

Key facts about this rule include:

The Trigger: The bails must be completely dislodged by the batsman's own actions.
Exceptions: It is not given out if the bowler delivers a no-ball, or if the batsman is avoiding a direct run-out throw.
Modern Tech: High-speed cameras and bail sensors make this dismissal highly accurate in today's game.

2. Obstructing the Field (Law 37)

If a batsman willfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action, they can be given out for obstructing the field.

Following the 2017 update to the MCC Laws of Cricket, the historical "handled the ball" dismissal was officially merged into this law. Now, if a batsman intentionally touches the ball with a hand not holding the bat, it is ruled as obstructing the field. This prevents players from manually shielding their stumps from live play.

3. Hitting the Ball Twice (Law 34)

This is one of the rarest sights in professional cricket. A batsman is forbidden from hitting the ball twice during a single delivery unless they are doing so solely to protect their stumps.

To avoid this dismissal, the batsman must follow these boundaries:

First Strike: Always legal to play a shot.
Second Strike: Only legal to prevent the ball from hitting the wickets.
The Penalty: If they hit it twice to score runs or prevent a catch, they are immediately adjudged out.

4. Timed Out (Law 40)

Time is of the essence in modern sports. Under MCC standard laws, an incoming batsman must be ready to face the ball (or be at the non-striker's end) within 3 minutes of the previous dismissal.

In international cricket, playing conditions are even stricter:

T20Is and ODIs: The incoming batsman must be ready within 2 minutes.
The Penalty: If they fail to meet this window and the fielding captain appeals, the umpire will rule them timed out.
Historical Precedent: Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews became the first player in international cricket history to be timed out during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

5. Retired Out (Law 25.4)

There is a major tactical difference between "retired hurt" (due to injury) and being recorded as retired out.

If a batsman decides to leave the field without the umpire's permission or an obvious injury, they cannot resume their innings without the opposing captain's consent. If consent is withheld, their dismissal is recorded as retired out. This is a legitimate tactical option occasionally used in warm-up matches and fast-paced T20 leagues to bring more explosive hitters to the crease.

While traditional dismissals dominate the scorecards, these 5 rare ways to get out in cricket serve as a reminder of how meticulous the MCC Laws of Cricket truly are. Knowing these rules ensures you will never be caught off guard during a dramatic match-turning moment. Which of these dismissals do you find the most surprising?