Can a batter retire, and can they come back?
A · Advanced · How does a batter get out? · 4 of 20A batter can leave the field between balls, when it is a dead ball. If they leave because of injury or illness, they are "retired not out" and may come back later. If they leave for any other reason, they are "retired out". Under the Laws the other captain can agree to let them return; in internationals they cannot.
How it works
- The umpires must be told the reason before play goes on.
- A retired batter can come back only when a wicket falls or another batter retires.
- Retired not out is not a dismissal. Retired out counts as a wicket, though the bowler gets no credit.
- If a side has no batter left to come in, its innings is over, whether the batters are out or retired.
Tricky cases
Can a team retire a batter to send in a faster scorer?
Yes. The batter is retired out, and cannot come back in internationals.
Can a retired hurt batter come back in the same innings?
Yes, when a wicket falls or another batter retires.
Can an injured batter have a runner?
It depends on the level. The Laws allow a runner if the injury happened during the match. ICC internationals do not allow runners at all.
Why the rule exists
It lets an injured batter rest without losing their innings, and stops a side swapping batters freely in and out.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Laws | A batter who retires for a reason other than injury or illness may return with the opposing captain's consent | L25.4.3 |
| ICC men's internationals | Retiring for any other reason is recorded as retired out, with no return | PC-T, PC-O, PC-I 25.4.3 |
| The Laws | Runners allowed for an injury suffered during the match | L25.5 |
| ICC men's internationals | No runners | PC-T, PC-O, PC-I 25.5 |
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 25.4 to 25.6 and 13.3, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. ICC men's playing conditions, clause 25, October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official documents: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF); ICC playing conditions (PDF).