Dead Ball in Cricket

A delivery where play is temporarily suspended and no runs or wickets count.

What is a Dead Ball?

A dead ball is called in several situations: the batter is not ready, the bowler drops the ball before delivery, a fielder deliberately distracts the batter, there is a serious injury, or an umpire needs to intervene. Once a ball is called dead, no wickets can be taken and no runs scored. The ball is then re-bowled. A delivery can also become dead after the action — once the ball is clearly at rest with no run being attempted.

In play

Bowler in delivery stride — a dog runs onto the field. Umpire calls dead ball. The delivery is cancelled, replayed. The scorecard shows nothing from that ball.

More laws terms

• Super OverA one-over-per-side tie-breaker used when scores are level at the end of a limited-overs match.
• Hit WicketThe batter is out when they dislodge the bails with their bat, body, or clothing.
• Obstructing the FieldThe batter is out for deliberately blocking, distracting, or interfering with a fielder.
• Timed OutA batter is out if they take more than 3 minutes to arrive at the crease after a wicket falls.
• DLS MethodDuckworth-Lewis-Stern — the formula used to set a fair revised target when rain interrupts a limited-overs match.
• Net Run RateThe tiebreaker stat — runs scored per over minus runs conceded per over, across a whole tournament.