The basic situation
Batters are running. The fielder gathers the ball and breaks the wicket at the end the batter is running towards, while the batter is out of the crease. Whether the batter is out depends on whether they were in their ground when the wicket was broken.
Which batter is out
The batter who did not make their ground is out. Sometimes both batters are at risk and the book has to say which one was out. Write the name of the batter who was dismissed, not the one who scored.
What the scorer records
- ro [fielder] for run out, with the fielder who broke the wicket or threw the ball.
- The batter who was out, which may not be the batter who was on strike.
- Runs completed before the dismissal, which go to the batting side.
Throws and overthrows
A throw that misses the stumps may give overthrows. The scorer records the runs completed and any overthrow runs. Check the playing conditions for how overthrows are counted in your format.
Common mistakes
- Crediting the batter on strike with a run out when the non-striker was out.
- Forgetting that a run out does not count against the bowler.
- Recording a run out before the umpire has decided it.
Citations
MCC Laws of Cricket, the section on run out.
Match questions
Questions scorers actually ask
- 01 Does a run out count against the bowler?
- No. The bowler gets no wicket for a run out, so it is not in the bowling analysis.
- 02 Can the non-striker be run out?
- Yes. The non-striker can be run out at either end, if they leave the crease before the ball is dead.
- 03 Who gets the credit for a run out?
- The fielder who breaks the wicket or throws the ball is credited in the fielding figures. The batter is out, not the fielder.
