Obstructing the Field in Cricket

The batter is out for deliberately blocking, distracting, or interfering with a fielder.

What is a Obstructing the Field?

If a batter deliberately obstructs a fielder attempting to field the ball, or deliberately deflects a thrown ball to prevent a run-out, they are out obstructing the field. Very rare at professional level. The key word is 'deliberately' — accidental contact is not penalised. The Handled the Ball dismissal was merged into this law in 2017. Can occur when a batter uses their hand or bat to block a throw heading to the stumps.

In play

Batter hits the ball and starts running. Fielder throws at the striker's end — the batter deliberately uses their bat to intercept the throw. Umpire gives them out for Obstructing the Field.

More laws terms

• 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.
• TossThe coin flip before a match that decides who chooses to bat or field first.
• ConcedeRuns given away by the bowler or fielding side, or a wicket/lead given up.
• WicketThe word with three different meanings in cricket — the stumps, a dismissal, and the pitch itself.