What happens when a player is injured during play?
A · Advanced · Who can play, and who can come on? · 17 of 20An umpire stops play at once for a possibly serious injury. In ICC internationals, medical staff then get four minutes to treat the player on the field; after that, a player who needs more treatment leaves the field. An injured batter can retire hurt, and an injured fielder can be replaced in the field by a substitute.
How it works
- Dead ball is called straight away for a possibly serious injury to a player or umpire.
- The umpires tell the medical team when 90 seconds of the four minutes remain.
- The umpires apply the four minutes case by case, guided by the match doctor.
- Time taken by treatment is allowed for in the over-rate calculation, so the fielding side is not penalised for it.
- A fielder hurt by an external blow, such as the ball, who has to leave does not build up penalty time.
- A head or neck injury can lead to a concussion replacement.
Tricky cases
Does the stop clock run while a player is treated?
No. Approved on-field treatment cancels the clock between overs.
Can an injured batter have a runner?
Not in ICC internationals. Under the Laws, yes, if the injury happened during the match.
Why could the injured fielder not bowl when they came back?
Because of penalty time, unless they left after an external blow such as being hit by the ball.
Why the rule exists
Player safety comes first, but treatment needs a limit so injury breaks do not become a way to slow the game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Laws | Dead ball for possibly serious injury; no time limit set | L20.4.2.2 |
| ICC men's internationals | Four minutes for on-field treatment, warning at 90 seconds | PC-O App I (also PC-T, PC-I) |
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 20.4.2.2, 24.3 and 25.4, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. ICC men's playing conditions, Appendix I and clauses 12.8 and 41.9.4, October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official documents: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF); ICC playing conditions (PDF).