10 Lesser Known Rules Of Cricket

The game of cricket has many rules. There are some standard rules which come into action on a regular basis. However, there are some unknown rules in the game which don’t come into play on a regular basis. These are the rules which are unheard of and some of the fans would be surprised to know about them.

Meanwhile, it is said that all the teams should abide by the rulebook. However, there are some rules in the game which are not in the spirit of the game. India’s spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had recently mankaded Jos Buttler in the Indian Premier League. However, there was a long discussion on playing by the rules and playing against the spirit of the game.

Playing by the rules and by the spirit of the game are two different things and there is always a controversial discussion on the same. If there are rules in place, then how can playing according to them be against the spirit of the game.

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We take a look at 10 unknown rules of cricket.

10. The Penalty Rule.

The wicketkeeper generally puts the extra helmet behind the stumps. If the ball hits the helmet, the umpire gives five runs to the batting side. This is done to make sure that a boundary is not obstructed by the helmet.

9. Spidercam Rule

If the ball hits the spider cam, then it is declared as a dead ball. The ball is declared dead even if it is a sure shot catch. Glenn Maxwell recently had the rub of the green on his side in the bilateral series against India. Even if the ball hits the roof of the stadium, then it is declared as a dead ball. In Australia’s Etihad Stadium, if the ball hits the indoor roof of the stadium and is caught by a fielder, it is considered not out. If the ball hits the roof and lands safely, it is given as six runs.

8. The Appeal Rule.

It is crucial for the bowlers to appeal for their dismissals. If the bowler doesn’t appeal, the umpire will not give the decision in favour of the fielding side. Thus, the first rule is that the bowler must always appeal to get a positive response from the umpire.

7. Obstructing the field.

If the batsman doesn’t play in the right spirit, he can be given obstructing the field. If the batsman deliberately comes in the line of the throw to save himself from the run-out, he can be given out obstructing the field. Furthermore, the handling the ball now falls into obstructing the field.

6. Not more 2 fielders behind the square of the wicket.

A captain can not place two fielders behind the square of the wicket. If a captain does that, the standing umpire can signal the no-ball. Thus, we generally see a fielder positioned at third man and deep fine leg while fielding behind the wickets.

5. Dead ball rule.

If the ball hits the towel off the fielder which is generally placed at the back of the player to help soak out the wet ball, then it is declared as a dead ball. Thus, the fielder should be aware that he gets the ball in his hands before it accidentally hits the towel. Subsequently, the same rule applies to the cap of the fielder. Any surface apart from the hands is considered as the ground. If a ball touches the cloth or cap of one fielder and the ball is caught by the other fielder, then it is not out.

4. Call back rule.

The fielding captain can withdraw the decision of his team if he feels that the opposition batsman is dismissed in an unconventional way. If the two batsmen collide with each other in the middle of the pitch and one batter is run-out, in such a case the captain can decide to withdraw his appeal.

MS Dhoni had called back Ian Bell in a Test match when Bell had thought that the ball had reached the boundary ropes.

3. 3-minute rule.

A batsman should reach the pitch inside three minutes after a particular dismissal. If a batter fails to reach the track inside 180 seconds, he can be given Time Out by the umpire. Hence, we generally see the next batsman in the batting order padded up with his bat and helmet near him.

2. Mankading Rule.

A bowler can run out the non-striker if the batsmen is backing too far in the crease. In fact, Mankad dismissal is one of the most controversial dismissals in the game. The dismissal is named after India’s spinner Vinoo Mankad had run out Australia’s Bill Brown.

Mankading rule had come into action to stop the non-striker from taking the advantages of few yards in the run. After all, it is unfair that a non-striker gains the advantage when the bowler is in his delivery stride.

1. Double Bat.

A batsman can be given out by the standing umpire if he intentionally hits the ball twice. However, the batsman is not out if he hits the ball twice unintentionally. This law comes under Law 34 of the rulebook.