Eight Rules of Cricket You Don’t Know Existed

Cricket has plenty of quirky rules that even regular players and fans sometimes don’t know about. Here are 8 lesser-known rules of cricket:

1. The Mankad Rule

A bowler can run out the non-striker if they leave their crease before the ball is delivered. It’s perfectly legal, though often debated for being “against the spirit of cricket.”

2. The Obstructing the Field Law

If a batter deliberately blocks or distracts a fielder (for example, by using their bat to stop a throw when not protecting the wicket), they can be given out for “obstructing the field.”

3. Hit the Ball Twice

A batter can be given out if they deliberately hit the ball twice—except when the second strike is to protect their stumps.

4. Penalty Runs for Player Equipment

If the ball hits a helmet belonging to the fielding team that’s left on the ground, the batting side gets 5 penalty runs.

5. Timed Out Dismissal

A new batter must be ready to face the ball within 3 minutes (in Tests and ODIs) of the previous wicket falling. If not, they can be given out “timed out.”

6. Batter Can’t Change Sides Mid-Run

When running between wickets, batters must stick to their chosen side of the pitch. They cannot switch sides halfway to block a throw.

7. Ball Lodging in Clothing or Equipment

If the ball gets stuck in a fielder’s clothing or equipment, the batter automatically scores a boundary (4 runs).

8. No-Ball for Front Foot Over the Line

Everyone knows about overstepping the crease, but here’s the detail: any part of the bowler’s front foot must be behind both the popping crease and the return crease. If their back foot lands outside the return crease, it’s also a no-ball—something many casual players miss.