3 ways a batter can be dismissed without facing a ball

Getting dismissed is one of the worst moments for a batter in cricket as no one likes to walk back into the pavilion after working hard to get set at the crease. There are multiple ways a batter can be dismissed, such as getting caught by a fielder, lbw or being clean bowled.

However, there are certain modes of dismissals, which are a lot more ignominious than others. While getting dismissed for a duck with a big round zero alongside one’s name is every batter’s worst nightmare, being dismissed without facing a delivery is even more embarrassing. Here are some ways a batter can be dismissed without facing a delivery in cricket:

1. Timed out

Timed out is one of the rarest modes of dismissals in cricket. As per the law, a batter has to walk in after the fall of a wicket or if the previous batter has retired hurt/out, and be ready to face the ball within three minutes. If the criteria aren’t met, he’s adjudged ‘timed out’ by the batter. Only three batters have been timed out in the history of international cricket, two in men’s and one in women’s cricket.

2. Run out

A batter can be dismissed without facing a delivery if he gets run out at either end of the pitch before his first ball.

3. Obstructing the field

A player can also be dismissed for obstructing the field before facing his first ball. Obstructing the field is a rare method of dismissal in cricket where a batter deliberately interferes with the fielding side to prevent them from making a run-out or completing a catch by making contact with the ball either with his body or equipment. 

For example, if a player who’s just arrived at the crease changes his path of running to prevent the fielder from hitting the stumps and run him out.

A few other manners of dismissals

Hit wicket – A player can also be out if he hits his wicket with his body or equipment on a wide delivery.

Stumped – A batter can also be stumped off a wide ball, which isn’t counted as a delivery faced by him.