Dead Ball, Short Runs and Penalty Runs Explained
By the Cricket Score Counter Editorial Team · Updated · 6 min read
Dead balls, short runs and penalty runs are three of the least understood parts of the Laws, and all three change the score in ways that catch out new scorers. This guide explains when the ball becomes dead, how short runs are deducted, and when five penalty runs are awarded and to whom.
Key takeaways
- The ball becomes dead automatically in many situations; the umpire only needs to call it in some of them.
- A short run is deducted from the score, but the batters stay at the ends they reached.
- Deliberate short running costs the batting side all runs from that ball plus five penalty runs to the fielding side.
- Penalty runs are extras: never credited to a batter or charged to a bowler.
When the ball becomes dead on its own
Law 20 lists the moments when the ball becomes dead without anyone saying a word. The most common is when it is finally settled in the hands of the wicketkeeper or the bowler. "Finally settled" is a judgement for the umpire: a keeper juggling the ball while a batter considers a bye has not settled it.
The ball is also automatically dead when a boundary is scored, when a batter is dismissed, when it lodges in a batter's clothing or equipment or the umpire's clothing, and when it lodges in a fielder's helmet. Once it is dead, nothing that happens afterwards can produce runs or wickets until the next delivery.
This matters for run outs in particular. If the keeper has the ball settled in his gloves and the batters have stopped, a later wild throw at the stumps cannot run anyone out. The ball was dead before the throw.
When the umpire calls dead ball
In other situations, the umpire has to call and signal dead ball, crossing and uncrossing the wrists below the waist. Some of these calls mean the delivery does not count in the over at all, so the scorer must watch closely.
The 2022 update added a useful one for local cricket: the umpire can call dead ball if either side is disadvantaged by a person, animal or other object within the field of play. A stray dog chasing the ball in a park match is now clearly covered.
- The striker was not ready for the delivery and did not attempt to play it.
- The ball falls from the bowler's hand before delivery, or the bowler does not deliver it for any reason.
- A player or umpire is seriously injured.
- A batter is distracted by noise or movement during the delivery.
- Unfair play has occurred that the Laws say should result in dead ball.
- An object or animal interferes with play and disadvantages either side.
What a short run is
Law 18.3 defines a short run. A run is short if a batter, turning for a further run, fails to make good ground at the end where they turned. In plain terms, they turned without grounding their bat or body behind the popping crease.
Only the run that was short is lost. If the batters ran three and one was short, two runs count. If both batters ran short on the same run, it is still only one short run. The last run cannot be short, because the batters are not turning for another; if they stop short of the crease on the final run, that run is simply not completed.
Crucially, a short run does not change which end the batters finish at. If they physically ran two and one was short, they are back at their original ends, even though only one run is scored. That is the most common scoring mistake on this topic, so check strike carefully.
| Ran | Short | Runs scored | Ends at finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | Original ends; same striker faces |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | Swapped; other batter faces |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | Swapped; other batter faces |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | Original ends; same striker faces |
Deliberate short running
Law 18.5 deals with batters who run short on purpose, or who deliberately run a run without trying to make good ground so they can keep the strike. This is treated as unfair play. The umpire disallows all runs from that delivery, sends the batters back to their original ends, and awards five penalty runs to the fielding side.
Any no-ball or wide still stands, as does any other five-run penalty, but the runs the batters tried to gain are lost. The umpire also reports the incident to the captain and the relevant authorities.
Penalty runs: who gets five and why
Law 41 and a few related Laws award five penalty runs for unfair play. These are not the same as the one-run penalty for a wide or no-ball. They are a separate category, recorded as penalty extras, and they are not charged to any bowler or credited to any batter.
The batting side gets five when the fielding side breaks the rules, such as a fielder stopping the ball with a cap, the ball hitting a fielding helmet left on the ground, deliberate fake fielding to distract a batter, or changing the condition of the ball. The fielding side gets five for batting offences: deliberate short running, a batter attempting to steal a run during the bowler's run-up, or repeated damage to the pitch or time wasting after a warning.
Five runs awarded to the fielding side are added to that side's most recently completed innings. If they have not batted yet, the runs go on their next innings. In a one-innings limited-overs match, that means a fielding side that has already batted simply has five added to its total.
Recording all of this correctly
Treat the umpire's signals as your source of truth. Short run, five runs to the batting side and five runs to the fielding side all have their own signals, and the umpire should show them once the ball is dead. Acknowledge each one before play restarts.
On paper, write penalty runs in the extras box with a clear note of which side received them. With Cricket Score Counter, recording the correct extra type keeps batter and bowler figures clean; if a later signal changes the picture, use undo and re-enter the ball rather than patching the total.
Put it into practice
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Frequently asked questions
Does a dead ball count as one of the six balls in an over?
It depends on why it was called. If the umpire calls dead ball before the striker has had a chance to play the ball, such as for a distraction or the striker not being ready, the delivery does not count. A ball that becomes dead normally at the end of play counts as usual.
Can a batter be run out after the ball is dead?
No. Once the ball is dead, no dismissal is possible until the next delivery comes into play. This is why umpires watch for the moment the keeper has the ball finally settled.
Are penalty runs added to the bowler's figures?
No. Five-run penalties are extras. They are never charged to the bowler, even when a fielder causes them while that bowler is bowling.
What happens if both batters run short on the same run?
It is treated as one short run. Only one run is deducted, however many batters failed to make their ground on that particular run.
Is the one run for a wide or no-ball a penalty run?
It is a penalty in everyday language, but it is not a Law 41 penalty. The one-run wide or no-ball extra is charged to the bowler, while five-run penalties are not charged to anyone.
This guide follows the MCC Laws of Cricket and common competition playing conditions. Local leagues and friendly matches often use their own rules, so always agree them before the toss. Spotted something we should correct? Contact us.