Top 5 Hidden Rules of Cricket You Probably Don’t Know About

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Often hailed as the world’s most popular game, cricket harbors a plethora of rules and hidden strategic moves. While a majority of cricket aficionados are well aware of the basic rules, wickets, boundaries and runs, in reality there’s lot more that decides the fate of cricket teams and players on the cricket field. In addition to the explicitly outlined regulations, the sport of cricket is also majorly regulated by an unspoken code of conduct and a distinguished set of rules.

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In this article we will take a look at the top five hidden rules of the cricket that you most probably don’t know about.

Top 5 Hidden Rules of Cricket You Probably Don’t Know About

• The “Timed-Out” Rule

The timed-out rule indicates that the incoming batsmen must be padded up to face the ball or already positioned at the non-strikers’ end within three minutes in case of the outgoing batsman’s dismissal or injury. In case the batsman exceeds the waiting time period of three minutes and fails to be at the crease, the opposition team can appeal for his/ her dismissal.

In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews was timed out before facing even a single delivery from Bangladesh’s bowlers. According to the reports, Angelo Mathews was facing issues with his helmet’s strap and therefore couldn’t reach the crease on time. Nevertheless, he was dismissed after Bangladesh’s timed-out appeal.

• The “Fake Fielding” Rule

Although the fake-fielding rule is relatively new in the book of cricket laws, it still holds a significant prominence and influences the game to a formidable extent. The rule of fake-fielding implies that if a fielder deliberately pretends to have the ball which subsequently prevents the batsman from going for an extra run-chase between the stumps, it would be considered ‘fake-fielding’ and, as a harsh consequence, the bowler’s team would be penalized for five runs for creating a nuisance. The fake-fielding rule ensures fair play on the field.

• The ‘No-Gloves for fielders” Rule

A majority of cricket aficionados are aware of the fact that fielders are not allowed to wear gloves on the field while fielding. However, not many of them are aware of the consequences that the rule brings forth. If any fielder is observed wearing the wicket-keeper’s gloves for more than ten seconds without any intent of being a wicket-keeper for the match, as a penalty a total of five runs is awarded to the batting team.

• The “Mankading” Rule

The mankading rule is one of the most popular and also one of the most misunderstood rules in the cricket world. The rule was named after the prominent Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad and dictates that if the batsman on the striking end leaves the crease before the bowler has released the ball, the bowler holds the right to strike the bails and appeal for a dismissal.

A detail that most cricket aficionados tend to overlook here is, the mankading rule can be applied only if the bowler hasn’t reached the apex height of his/her delivery. The mankading rule left the internet divided after Deepti Sharma dismissed Charlotte Dean at the non-striker’s end during the third Women’s ODI between India and England in 2022.

• The “No Twice-Hitting” Rule

“Law 34” of the Indian cricket laws explicitly states that a batsman is not allowed to hit the ball twice before it has touched any fielder on the ground. In case the batsman tries to strike the ball twice to hit a shot, he/she will be considered out.

However, there are two exceptions to this rule that most cricket aficionados don’t know about. Firstly, the batsman can hit the ball twice to pass it on to a fielder only if he/she has the fielder’s consent to do so, and in the second case, the batsman can hit the ball twice in order to safeguard his wickets.

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