When is a batter out bowled?
B · Beginner · How does a batter get out? · 7 of 14A batter is out bowled when a ball from the bowler breaks their wicket: at least one bail comes completely off, or a stump is knocked out of the ground. It still counts if the ball touches the bat or body on the way. It is not out if the ball was a no-ball, or if it touched another player or an umpire first.
How it works
- The wicket is broken only when a bail is completely removed, or a stump is knocked out of the ground.
- A bail that wobbles, lifts or falls back into its groove has not been removed. A bail that falls and lodges between two stumps has.
- The ball may touch the bat or the batter first ("played on"). It is still bowled.
- If the ball touched a fielder, the other batter, the stumps at the non-striker's end or an umpire before hitting the stumps, it is not bowled. The batter can still be out another way, such as run out.
- Bowled takes precedence: if the same ball would also give caught, LBW or anything else, the batter is out bowled.
Tricky cases
Is it out if the ball hits the stumps but the bails stay on?
Not out. A bail must come completely off, or a stump must come out of the ground.
Is it out if the bails light up but do not fall?
Not out. A bail must come completely off the stumps. In internationals with light-up stumps, the lights mark the moment the wicket was broken, but only if the bail then comes off for good.
Is it out if the ball comes off the bat or pad onto the stumps?
Out. This is called being "played on", and it is still bowled.
Can a batter be bowled off a no-ball or a free hit?
No.
Is it bowled if the ball hits the wicketkeeper and then the stumps?
No. Once the ball touches a fielder, it cannot be bowled. If the batter is out of their ground, they may be stumped or run out instead.
Why the rule exists
The batter's first job is to protect the stumps. Bowled is the bowler's direct reward for getting the ball past them.
Where it differs
Nothing. The same in the Laws and in the ICC men's Test, ODI and T20I playing conditions.
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 32.1 to 32.2 and 29.1 to 29.2, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).