When do umpires award 5 penalty runs?
A · Advanced · How are runs scored? · 5 of 20Umpires award 5 penalty runs to the other side for certain breaches of the rules, most often by the fielding side. The best known: the ball hitting a fielding side's helmet left on the ground, a fielder stopping the ball with anything other than their body, and fake fielding. The batting side can be penalised too.
How it works
5 runs to the batting side when a fielder:
- stops the ball on purpose with anything other than their body, such as a cap, or with clothing held out;
- lets the ball hit a fielding helmet placed on the ground behind the wicketkeeper;
- moves unfairly before the ball reaches the batter (the wicketkeeper or any other fielder);
- deliberately tries to distract or deceive a batter, such as pretending to field or throw the ball;
- comes back onto the field without the umpire's permission and touches the ball;
- changes the condition of the ball, wastes time or damages the pitch, after a warning where one applies.
5 runs to the fielding side when a batter:
- runs short on purpose;
- tries to steal a run while the bowler is running in;
- wastes time or damages the pitch, after a warning where one applies.
How they are added:
- Penalty runs are extras. To the batting side, they are added at once. To the fielding side, they are added to its last completed innings, or to its next innings if it has not batted yet.
- The batters do not change ends because of penalty runs.
- They can still be awarded after a result, until the umpires leave the field. If they change the result, play goes on.
Tricky cases
Why did the batting side get 5 runs when the ball hit a helmet?
Because a helmet left on the ground behind the keeper is fielding equipment the ball must not hit. The ball is dead and the batting side gets 5 runs, plus any runs already completed.
What is fake fielding?
Pretending to have the ball, or pretending to throw it, to fool a batter. The umpire calls dead ball, the batting side gets 5 runs and the batters choose who faces the next ball.
Can the fielding side be given 5 runs before they have batted?
Yes. The runs are added to their score when they bat.
Can a fielder stop the ball with their cap?
Not on purpose. That is illegal fielding: 5 runs to the batting side. A cap that falls off by accident and touches the ball is fine.
Why the rule exists
A 5-run penalty makes cheating and carelessness cost more than they could gain, without stopping the game.
Where it differs
The list and the 5-run amount are the same in the Laws and the ICC men's playing conditions. Some offences carry a warning first; the detail is under each rule in "Fair play".
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 18.5, 18.6, 24.4, 27.4, 28.2, 28.3, 28.6, 41.3 to 41.16 and 41.17, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. ICC men's playing conditions, clause 41.17, October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).