When is the ball dead in cricket?
I · Intermediate · How are runs scored? · 12 of 19The ball is dead when it is out of play: once it is settled in a fielder's or the keeper's hands, after a boundary or a dismissal, or when an umpire calls dead ball. While it is dead, no runs can be scored and no one can be out. It comes back into play when the bowler starts their run-up.
How it works
The ball becomes dead by itself when:
- it is finally settled, in a fielder's hands or still on the ground, and the umpire judges it is no longer in play;
- a boundary is scored, or a batter is out;
- it gets stuck between bat and body, in the batter's clothing or equipment or in an umpire's clothing;
- the match ends.
An umpire calls dead ball when, for example:
- a player may be seriously hurt;
- a bail falls off the batter's stumps on its own before they could play the ball;
- the batter is not ready, or is distracted, and does not play the ball;
- the bowler drops the ball, or does not deliver it, other than to run out the non-striker;
- something on the field, a person or an animal, interferes with play.
Whether the ball counts in the over: it does not count if the batter had no chance to play it or was distracted. Otherwise it counts.
Tricky cases
Is it dead ball when the ball lodges in the batter's helmet or pads?
Yes. It cannot then be caught, and no runs can be taken.
Does the ball count if the batter pulls away because they were not ready?
No, if the umpire accepts they had good reason and they did not try to play the ball. If they had no good reason, it counts.
Can the umpire undo a dead ball call?
No. Once the ball is dead, nothing can bring it back into play for that delivery.
What if a dog runs onto the field and stops the ball?
The umpire calls dead ball. If both umpires think it was going to the boundary anyway, the boundary counts.
When does the ball come back into play?
When the bowler starts their run-up, or their action if they have no run-up.
Why the rule exists
Play needs a clear start and end for each ball, so everyone knows when a run or a wicket can happen.
Where it differs
Nothing. The same in the Laws and in the ICC men's playing conditions.
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 20.1 to 20.7 and 2.13, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).