Caught in Cricket

A dismissal where a fielder catches the ball on the full after it comes off the bat, before it touches the ground.

What is a Caught?

Cricket's most common form of dismissal. The ball must come directly off the bat, or the batter's glove while holding the bat, and be held cleanly by a fielder before bouncing. Catches can be taken anywhere on the field, in the slip cordon off an edge, in the deep off a mistimed shot, or by the bowler off a return catch. If the ball touches the ground at any point before being held, it doesn't count.

In play

Batter goes for the big shot, gets a leading edge instead — the ball loops gently to mid-off, who barely has to move. Simplest catch of the day.

More laws terms

• 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.
• No BallAn illegal delivery — the bowling side is penalised with an extra run and a free hit in limited overs.
• WideA delivery bowled too far from the batter — adds a penalty run and must be rebowled.
• Free HitA penalty delivery after a front-foot no ball where the batter cannot be out (except run-out).