Bowling & Dismissals

Bowling

A bowler delivers the ball toward the batsmen, using what is known as a bowling action: the elbow may be held at any angle and may bend further, but may not straighten out during the action. If the elbow straightens, it is an illegal throw and the delivery is called a no-ball. Usually, the bowler pitches the ball so that it bounces before reaching the batsman. Bowlers must release the ball with their entire back foot and some part of the front foot inside the area bounded by the creases to prevent it from being called a no-ball. The ball must also be delivered so it is within the batsman's reach, otherwise it is termed a wide. A wide cannot be called if the batsman hits the ball.

The bowler's primary goal is to take wickets; that is, to get a batsman out or dismissed. If a bowler can dismiss the more accomplished batsmen on the opposing team they reduce the opportunity for them to score, as it exposes the less skilful batsmen. Their next task is to limit the numbers of runs scored per over they bowl. This is known as the Economy rate. If a bowler gets a batsman out, they are credited for this achievement. There are two main kinds of bowlers : pace bowlers and spin bowlers.

Dismissal of a Batsman

A batsman is allowed to bat as long as they are not dismissed (get out). There are ten ways of being dismissed, some of which are credited as wickets to the bowler, some of which are not credited to any player. If the batsman is dismissed, another player from the batting team replaces them until ten batsmen are out and the innings is over.

Many modes of dismissal require the wicket to be "put down". The wicket is put down if a bail is dislodged from the top of the stumps or a stump is struck out of the ground either with the ball, or by a fielder with the ball in their hand. Of the following ten modes of dismissal, the first six are common, while the last four are technicalities which rarely occur. Briefly, the ten modes are:

1. Caught

When a fielder catches the ball before the ball bounces and after the batsman has struck it with the bat or it has come into contact with the batsman's glove while it is in contact with the bat handle. The bowler and catcher are both credited.

2. Bowled

When a delivered ball hits the stumps at the batsman's end, and dislodges one or both of the bails. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.

3. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)

When a delivered ball misses the bat and strikes the batsman's leg or pad, and the umpire judges that the ball would otherwise have struck the stumps. The laws of cricket stipulate certain exceptions in favour of the batsman; for instance, a batsman should not be given out LBW if the place where the ball bounced on the pitch is to the leg-side of the area strictly between the two wickets. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.

4. Run Out

When a fielder, bowler or wicket-keeper removes one or both of the bails with the ball by hitting the stumps whilst a batsman is still running between the two ends. Such a dismissal is not officially credited to any player, although the identities of the fielder or fielders involved is often noted in brackets on the scorecard.

5. Stumped

When the batsman leaves their crease in playing a delivery, voluntarily or involuntarily, but the ball goes to the wicket-keeper who uses it to remove one or both of the bails through hitting the bails or the wicket before the batsman has remade their ground. The bowler and wicket-keeper are both credited.

6. Hit Wicket

When the batsman accidentally knocks the stumps with either the body or the bat, causing one or both of the bails to be dislodged, either in playing a shot or in taking off for the first run. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.

7. Handled the Ball

When the batsman deliberately handles the ball without the permission of the fielding team. No player is credited with the dismissal.

8. Hit the Ball Twice

When the batsman deliberately strikes the ball a second time, except for the sole purpose of guarding his wicket. No player is credited with the dismissal.

9. Obstructing the Field

When a batsman deliberately hinders a fielder from attempting to field the ball. No player is credited with the dismissal.

10. Timed Out

When a new batsman takes more than three minutes to appear on the field to replace a dismissed batsman. If the delay is even more protracted, the umpires may cause the match to be forfeited. No player is credited with the dismissal.

Additionally, a batsman may leave the field undismissed. For instance, if they are ill or injured, this is known as retired hurt or retired ill. The batsman is not out; they may return to bat later in the same innings if sufficiently recovered. Also, an unimpaired batsman may retire, in which case they are treated as being dismissed retired out; no player is credited with the dismissal.

An individual cannot be out - 'bowled', 'caught', 'leg before wicket', 'stumped', or 'hit wicket' off a no ball. They cannot be out - 'bowled', 'caught', 'leg before wicket', or 'hit the ball twice' off a wide.

Some of these modes of dismissal can take place without the bowler bowling a delivery. The batsman who is not on strike may be run out by the bowler if they leave their crease before the bowler bowls, and a batsman can be out obstructing the field or retired out at any time. Timed out by its nature is a dismissal without a delivery. With all other modes of dismissal, only one batsman can be dismissed per ball bowled.