Boundary in Cricket

The rope marking the edge of the playing field — and the four or six runs scored when the ball reaches or crosses it.

What is a Boundary?

The boundary is both a place and a result. As a place, it's the rope or painted line marking the outer edge of the field. As a result, hitting the ball to or over that rope scores four runs if it touches the ground first, or six if it clears the rope on the full, cricket's biggest single-shot reward. Fielders positioned near the rope are the last line of defence and are said to be 'saving the boundary'.

In play

Ball beats the fielder's dive by inches and rolls over the rope — four runs, and the fielder is left face-down in the outfield.

More laws terms

• Run OutA dismissal where a batter fails to reach a crease before the fielding side breaks the stumps at that end.
• StumpedA dismissal where the wicketkeeper breaks the stumps while the batter is out of their crease, without a run being attempted.
• CaughtA dismissal where a fielder catches the ball on the full after it comes off the bat, before it touches the ground.
• LBWLeg Before Wicket — out when the ball strikes the pad and would have hit the stumps.
• MankadRunning out the non-striker before delivering the ball, when they back up too far.
• DRSDecision Review System — technology-aided review that teams can use to challenge on-field decisions.