Dead ball
A dead ball is when play stops for that delivery — no more runs can be scored and nobody can be out until the next ball.
What you need to know
- The ball becomes dead when it is finally settled (with a fielder or still on the ground and the umpire decides it's no longer in play).
- It is also dead when a boundary is scored or a batter is out.
- It is dead if it gets trapped between the bat and body, or lodges in a batter's clothing or equipment, or an umpire's clothing.
- Umpires also call dead ball in other situations — for example a possibly serious injury, the striker not being ready (and not playing at the ball), a distraction, or the bowler dropping the ball before delivering it.
- Once dead ball is called it cannot be revoked.
Examples
Specific situations
Ball hits the umpire
Play carries on. The ball doesn't become dead when it hits an umpire — only if it lodges in the umpire's clothing.
- Law 20.1.1 lists when the ball becomes dead; hitting an umpire isn't one of them, but lodging in an umpire's clothing is (20.1.1.5).
- A catch after the ball bounces off an umpire is still a fair catch (Law 33.2.2.3).
Source: MCC Law 20
The bowler drops the ball in the run-up
Dead ball. The ball wasn't delivered, so it doesn't count as one of the over.
- Law 20.4.2.8: dead ball if the bowler drops the ball accidentally before delivery.
- Law 17.3.1: a ball that isn't delivered doesn't count in the over.
Source: MCC Law 20 · MCC Law 17
The striker is distracted by a noise or movement
Dead ball, and it doesn't count as one of the over — whether the distraction came from inside or outside the match.
- Law 20.4.2.6.
Source: MCC Law 20
The ball lodges in a batter's clothing or equipment
Dead ball — so it can't be caught. Runs already completed count, plus the run in progress if the batters had crossed.
- Law 20.1.1.4–20.1.1.5: the ball is dead when trapped between bat and body, or lodged in a batter's clothing or equipment.
- Runs when the ball becomes dead: Law 18.9.
Source: MCC Law 20 · MCC Law 18
The ball is lost
The umpire calls dead ball if it can't be recovered. The batting side keeps the runs completed, plus the run in progress if the batters had crossed.
- Law 20.4.2.11 (ball cannot be recovered); Law 18.9 (runs when the ball becomes dead).
Source: MCC Law 20 · MCC Law 18
The striker wasn't ready
Dead ball, if the striker wasn't ready and made no attempt to play it. If the umpire accepts the striker had a good reason, it doesn't count as one of the over.
- Law 20.4.2.5.
Source: MCC Law 20
Official source
The Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026). Summary in Inswing's own words — follow the link for the official text.
Related: Boundaries · Overs