Cricket may be called a gentleman’s game, but it sure comes with its fair share of bizarre and head-scratching rules. While fans often focus on sixes, fours, wickets, batters, bowlers, and fielders, the Laws of Cricket contain several lesser-known clauses that can turn a match on its head — or just leave the fans in disbelief.
From spidercams stopping play to batters surviving because no one appealed, here’s a look at some of the strangest rules in cricket that you probably didn’t learn from watching highlights.
1. Hit the Ball Twice
– Law: A batter can’t intentionally hit the ball twice—unless it’s to protect their wicket.
– Weird Bit: If a batter plays a shot and the ball is trickling back towards the stumps, they’re actually allowed to whack it away a second time with their bat (not hand).
– But: If they try to score runs after hitting it the second time, it will result in them getting out.
2. Handled the Ball (Now Absorbed into ‘Obstructing the Field’)
– Old Rule: A batter could be given out just for touching the ball with their hand without the bowler’s permission.
– Example: If the ball stopped dead near the stumps and the batter casually picked it up and tossed it back to the fielder—out.
– MCC decided to merge it with Obstructing the Field in 2017.
3. Spidercam Interference = Dead Ball
– Rule: If the ball hits the spidercam or any of its cables, it’s called a dead ball instantly.
– Weird bit: No matter what happens — six, catch, run-out or boundary — none of it counts.
– But:
– If the batters had already crossed before the contact, that crossing is allowed.
– If it was a no-ball, the penalty run is still awarded.
4. Ball Hits Helmet on the Ground = 5 Penalty Runs
– Rule: If the ball hits a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding side, the batting team is awarded five penalty runs. This usually happens when the wicketkeeper removes their helmet while keeping to spinners and leaves it behind them.
– But:
– Any runs completed or in progress before the ball hits the helmet still count.
– The same penalty applies if the ball hits any clothing or gear that’s been wilfully left on the field by a fielder.
It falls under Law 28 of the MCC Laws — covering illegal fielding actions.
5. No Appeal = Not Out
– Rule: A batter cannot be given out unless the fielding team appeals. No matter how obvious the dismissal looks, without an appeal, the umpire will not raise the finger.
– Weird bit: A batter can be clearly out, but if no one says anything — no appeal, no reaction — the umpire must let play continue.
– But:
– A batter who knows they’re out can walk off on their own, even if no one appeals.
– This is all covered under Law 31 of the MCC’s Laws of Cricket.
