Obstructing the field in cricket: Case studies and know how it comes into play

Obstructing the field is one of the 10 ways an umpire in cricket can give a batter out. Nevertheless, instances of obstructing the field have been rare. Whenever invoked, the rule has ignited debates among fans and pundits alike.

Unlike the ‘bowled’ dismissal, where it is clear that the batter is out, the interpretation of the 'obstructing the field' rests with the umpires and certain criteria must be met. The bowler does not get credit for the wicket if the batter is out for obstructing the field.

What is obstructing the field

Obstructing the field refers to a batter intentionally obstructing the fielding side's attempts to field the ball without their consent while the ball is in play. This intentional interference could manifest in various ways, such as physically obstructing a fielder, altering the ball's direction, or impeding a potential run-out by preventing a fielder's throw from hitting the stumps.

The intent of the batter also plays a key role. For instance, in the last over of the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup final between England and New Zealand, a throw from deep mid-wicket was on its way towards the stumps and the wicket-keeper but the ball hit the diving Ben Stokes’ bat and headed for a boundary. The act was deemed unintentional by the umpires and England went on to win the dramatic final later in the evening.

So there must be a deliberate effort to stop the fielding side if the batter is to be deemed out by the umpire. Accidental, unintentional or contact with the ball/fielder to avoid injury is not considered grounds for dismissal even if the fielding side appeals for the dismissal.

As per the laws of cricket, “either batter is out obstructing the field if and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.”

The law further goes on to explain that the rule could apply even on a no ball. In the case of a legal ball, the striker is out obstructing the field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker from being caught. If an obstruction or distraction takes place on a no ball, then the batter (striker or non-striker) who caused the obstruction or distraction will be out obstructing the field.

A batter is also declared out obstructing the field if the ball is in play and without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her body to return the ball to any fielder.

Previously, handled the ball was a different type of dismissal but it was removed and included under the ‘obstructing the field’ category.

Instances of obstructing the field 

Mushfiqur Rahim was given out obstructing the field in international cricket in December 2023. Batting on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand in Mirpur, Rahim was dismissed after pushing the ball away with his right hand after defending a delivery from Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand appealed immediately and the umpire upheld it.

While the first instance of a batter given out for obstructing the field occurred in the English domestic cricket match between Sheffield Cricket Club and Bents Green in 1792, not many players have been dismissed unconventionally internationally.

England’s Len Hutton, batting against South Africa in 1951, was the only batter to be given out for obstructing the field in Test cricket before Mushfiqur Rahim. 

In white ball cricket, Pakistan’s Rameez Raja, batting on 99 against England in an ODI in 1987, was given out for altering the direction of the ball to avoid being run out on the last ball of the innings.

Against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Ahmedabad in 1989, Indian legend Mohinder Amarnath was given out for kicking the ball away to avoid being run out. Mohinder Amarnath also has the unique feat of being the player who has been out for obstructing the field as well as handled the ball.

Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of the modern-day greats, was sent back after stopping the ball thrown by a fielder at the striker’s end while batting against India in an ODI in 2006.