What are The 11 Ways to Get Out in Cricket?

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the first batter in cricket history to get ‘timed out’ during Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh clash in the ongoing ICC World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on November 6th. His dismissal caused controversy as many fans claimed it was against the spirit of the game and Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan should have withdrawn his appeal. However, he was out according to the Laws of cricket which state that if a batsman is not ready to face the first ball within three minutes (2 minutes in ICC playing conditions) after the fall of the previous wicket, he can be declared out as per the Laws of the game. 

HISTORY IN DELHI….!!!

Angelo Mathews becomes the first cricketer in history to be out on 'timed out'. pic.twitter.com/VRg1xmSTDf

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2023

In this rule, we will have a look at different ways through which a batsman can be declared out in the game of cricket. 

11 Types of Out in Cricket: Explained

1. Bowled

It is one of the most common modes of dismissal in cricket where the batter is given out when he misses the ball and the ball directly hits the stumps behind him. The bowler doesn’t need to do an appeal for this as it can be clearly when the ball hits the stumps and the batter goes back to the pavilion without waiting for any signal from the umpire. However, no-ball is also checked after every delivery nowadays and the batter will be given not out if the bowler bowls by stepping outside the crease. 

2. Caught Out

In this, the batsman is given out when he hits the ball and the ball is caught by the fielder. It is another common mode of dismissal in which the batter usually tries to hit a big shot but couldn’t time it well and end up giving a catch to the fielder. However, this is the only method to get a wicket by grabbing the ball. Sometimes, the batsman is caught behind when the ball goes by touching the edge of the bat and is caught by the wicketkeeper standing behind. 

3. Leg-Before Wicket (LBW)

In this method, the batsman is given out when the ball hits the pads right ahead of the stumps. The ball is assumed to hit wicket and its impact can be judged according to its nature of swing and spin It is also to be noted that the ball should have an impact outside the off stump in order to get the wicket through LBW.

4. Run Out

This is one of the unluckiest ways through which a batter could lose his wicket in the game of cricket. In this method, a batsman is declared when he fails to reach the crease while running between the wickets before the ball hits the stumps by the fielder. The batsman will be out even if the bat is touching the line of the crease and the stumps are down by the fielder.

5. Stumped

The batsman is given stumped out when he steps outside the crease to play the shot, but misses the ball and the wicketkeeper clears the stumps before the batsman comes back in the crease. This type of dismissal mostly takes place when the spinner is bowling as the wicketkeeper comes close to the wicket during that time. The bowler uses his skill and make the batsman to come out of the crease. However, sometimes the batter times the ball well and add some runs to his total, while sometimes who couldn’t judge the ball well and end up missing the ball. Now after that, the batsman has to be as quick as to reach the crease before the keeper releases the stumps.

6. Hit-Wicket

It is one of the rarest and unluckiest forms of dismissal where the batter hits his own stumps with the bat or his body in an attempt to play the shot. It generally happens when the batsman is standing to the stumps and hits the stumps by mistake while moving his feet or swinging his bat to hit the ball. 

7. Retired Out

A batsman is given retired out if he decides to leave the field without the consent of the umpires. Unlike retired hurt, the batsman cannot come back to the crease after being retired out. The concept of retiring out is not a common thing in the main international matches, but we can see the batters deciding to go back to the crease after playing a satisfactory knock during practice or unofficial matches before any big series or tournament to give a chance to other batters in the squad. 

8. Obstructing the field

It is another mode of dismissal in cricket where the batsman is given out for obstructing the field when fielders are in charge to grab the ball after he plays the shot. It is usually a situation when the batter intentionally comes in the way of the ball and prevents it from going to other fielder or stumps.

9. Hit the ball twice

In this method, the batsman will be given out if he hits the ball twice while attempting a shot either with the bat or any part of his/her body. 

10. Handled the ball

In this method, the batsman is declared out when he deliberately tries to touch the ball while facing a delivery. For example, if the batsman don’t have bat in his hand and touch the ball with his one or both hands, he will be declared out. 

11. Timed Out

This form of dismissal has been a hot topic for the last 24 hours after a controversial World Cup 2023 clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Delhi on Tuesday. For the first time in cricket history, the batter was given times out and it was Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews. After the fall of fourth wicket in the form of Sadeera Samarawickrama in the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings, Mathews came to bat on time and was about to take his stance to play his first ball. But he had to leave the crease as he demanded to change his helmet. In that time, Bangladesh skipper Shakib ul Hasan appealed for the timeout and refused to withdraw the appeal even after Mathews tried to convince him. Eventually, Mathews was given a Timed Out for the first time in International cricket. The batter can be given timed out if he is not ready to play the first ball within three after the fall of the previous wicket. It is also known as Diamond Duck as the batter is given out without playing a single ball