Forms of Batsman Dismissal in Cricket

How many ways can a batsman be dismissed in cricket? 

1. Caught in the field

This is when a batsman strikes a ball and it is caught by a fielder without the ball touching the ground. 

 

A ball is considered struck if it makes contact with the bat or glove holding the bat, regardless of the magnitude of contact. Meaning the faintest of edges to a fielder counts as a dismissal.

2. Caught and bowled

This is when a batsman strikes a ball straight back to the bowler and is caught by the bowler.

 

Again, the ball must be airborne and should not have made contact with the ground from the moment it was struck up until the moment the catch was completed.

3. Bowled

This is when a ball beats a batsman's guard and hits the wickets (stumps).

The batsman could have completely missed the ball (clean bowled) or he could have edged the ball into his stumps (played on), in both instances the dismissal will be indicated as "bowled."

4. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)

This is when a batsman is trapped in front of his stumps and the ball hits his pads or body first before hitting his bat.

If an umpire adjudges the ball to have been going on to hit the stumps the batsman will be dismissed, LBW.

If a Decision Review System (DRS) is available, the batsman can challenge the umpire's decision.

If not, an on-field umpire's decision is final.

5. Stumped

This is when a fielder (usually wicket keeper) dismisses a batsman by dislodging stump bails when the batsman is playing at a delivery while standing out of his return crease. 

NB. The ball has to be in the hand that dislodges the bails.

6. Run out 

This is when a fielder dislodges a batsman's stumps when the batsman is short of his return crease while trying to complete a run. 

A run out can be executed by throwing the ball at the stumps while a batsman is out of his crease or dislodging the bails with ball in hand.

7. Obstruction

This is when an umpire dismisses a batsman because the umpire believes the batsman denied the fielding team a clear run out opportunity by intentionally blocking a ball thrown at the stumps.

8. Hit wicket

This is when a batsman makes contact with his stumps while playing a stroke and dislodges his own bails in the process.