When is a batter out for hitting the ball twice?
A · Advanced · How does a batter get out? · 1 of 20A batter is out hit the ball twice when, after the ball has hit their bat or body, they deliberately hit it again before a fielder touches it, for any reason other than stopping it hitting their stumps. Knocking it away from the stumps is allowed, but no runs can then be scored.
How it works
- The second hit must be deliberate. An accidental second touch is not out.
- A second hit purely to stop the ball hitting the stumps is allowed, with the bat or the body, but not with a hand that is not holding the bat.
- After a lawful second hit, no runs count, not even if the ball reaches the boundary.
- Hitting the ball again to return it to a fielder is not "hit the ball twice", but doing it without the fielder's agreement is obstructing the field.
- It applies even off a no-ball. The bowler does not get the wicket.
Tricky cases
Is it out if the ball spins back towards the stumps and the batter hits it away?
Not out. Guarding the stumps is allowed. No runs can be taken.
Is it out if the ball hits the bat twice by accident?
Not out. It must be deliberate.
Can a batter hit the ball twice to stop a catch?
No. Doing that is out obstructing the field, even if they were also guarding their stumps.
Is it out if the batter knocks the ball away with their free hand?
Out, but obstructing the field, not hit the ball twice.
Why the rule exists
A batter gets one strike at the ball. A second deliberate strike would be an unfair second chance to score.
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 34.1 to 34.5, 37.3 and 37.4, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).